Fig Tree Chantilly - What To Make?

A couple of weeks ago, my local quilt shop, Pennington Quilt Works, had a grand re-opening celebration to show off their expanded store (they are in a shopping center and annexed the empty storefront next door).  They showed off their new space and class samples and I was the lucky winner of one of the door prizes - a fat quarter stack of Chantilly by Fig Tree, a pattern on a postcard, and a Moda zipper pouch (will be handy to hold binding clips).  Thank you, PQW!

I like the Chantilly fabric line - it is the typical Fig Tree florals but the colors are paler shades than usual.  I am  considering using it to make Hexie Garden by Atkinson Designs but I need to identify a solid color to use in place of the dark triangles around the flower centers.  I've seen this pattern made up in bright colors with black which was really stunning but I think black would be too harsh with the pale shades in the Chantilly line.

My alternative is to go with either the Odile Stars pattern by Planted Seed Designs or the new Fig Tree pattern called Twinkle.  The pattern for Twinkle calls for 1/3 yard cuts but each makes two blocks so I think I could get a block of out each fat quarter. 

Decisions, decisions...

My Log Cabin Big Bag by AnnaStudiokr

You may remember from my last post that I was making tiny courthouse steps blocks.  I finished them and they have become the Log Cabin Big Bag by AnnaStudioskr. 

It is a B-I-G bag, the base is 19 by 7.5 inches and the sides are 13 inches high so it will hold a lot!

The courthouse steps blocks are sewn together to make a panel, along with a strip of framed square blocks for each side of the bag. 

The pieces are small, the logs are only 1/2 inch wide finished.

With scant 1/4" seams, the wrong side looks like this, with the seam allowances nearly butting up against each other.  I pressed the seams open to reduce the bulk and avoid ridges; it lies very flat. 

Here's a side view.  I used a jelly roll from Island Batiks in a colorway called Ocean Mist.  When combined with the solid black trim, it has all the colors found in my wardrobe so should coordinate with just about any outfit I wear. 

I lined it with a light blue batik print. 

Here's another beauty shot (I took a lot of pictures!).  I don't recall how I became aware of Anna Studios but I began following her Instagram where she posts photos of the bags she makes (and her photography is much better than mine).   A short time ago, she began selling her patterns, kits, and bag straps on Etsy so I bought the pattern and a set of black leather bag handles so I could make my own version.

The pattern has a lot of pictures but you need to know the basics of piecing and bag making as she does not explain those techniques.  The pattern also does not indicate how much fabric you need.  I used a jelly roll to piece the outer part of the bag, but used only about 3/4 of the strips.  You could piece this from fat quarters, fat eighths, or scraps.  I bought a yard of fabric for the lining, which was just right, and 3/4 yard of solid black fabric for the bag bottom, center square in each block, and binding at the top edge of the bag.  I have some left over but this length allowed me to cut the binding on the bias.  If you use straight cut binding, a 1/2 yard of fabric will suffice.  I used Soft & Stable in place of batting and added Peltex (heavy interfacing) to the bottom in place of the plastic mat the pattern calls for.  The bottom of the bag is pretty rigid. 

The pattern directions have you hand sew the sides and bottom of the bag together but I was afraid my hand sewing wouldn't be sturdy enough so I changed the construction so I could sew the top and bottom on the sewing machine.  I used used solid black fabric for the outer bottom, quilted to Soft & Stable, then I put a layer of Peltex between that and the light blue lining fabric. 

I'm very happy with how my Big Bag came out and I would make another of her patterns except I don't need another tote bag.  Well, maybe next year...