December 15, 2009

Indonesian Batik Sack

I finally reached a decision on what to do with the treasured yard of green Indonesian Batik purchased from Batiks By Design at the Paducah AQS show. After much deliberation and study, I chose a bag pattern borrowed from my mother. It was a "fat quarter friendly" pattern purchased, but never used, from several years ago. I forget the name of the company at the moment. My greatest concern was to use a bag style that would show off the whole border print to it's best advantage. Even though this pattern was written for fat quarters, I was able to adapt it to regular yardage and had enough left over to use the batik as the lining as well.

The bag pattern was very easy and was a simple shape. I created my own pocket on the back side (not showing) and didn't use the velcro closure on the tab as instructed. Because after all, its against my principles to duplicate someone else's items. The whole fun of crafting and sewing is to add your own personal style to each item. I'm all about one-of-a-kind and unique items.

Batiks By Design recently opened a retail store in my town. I'm pretty excited about it. I had to purchase a couple more batiks at the grand opening along with this fat quarter in red. I picked up the idea for this key chain off a blog that I read about sewing, CraftGossip.com. One post was about creating keychains with fabric and elastic and if it is one thing I like better than bags, its keychains.

So, be on the look out for more posts as the holidays are coming up and I have been busy churning out home-made gifts and as always, the post-holiday season includes time off. Plans are already turning in my creative mind and supplies are being stockpiled. I made a huge discovery at Rural King. I'm leaning toward bags for that. Wait til you see!

And I have also been inspired by portrait quilts seen on Quilting Arts in the past couple of months. Hmmm, now to figure out whose face/picture to start with.

2 comments:

Tonya said...

You KNOW I love that bag! It's green...and awesome. You can will it to me -- thanks!

I love to see your creations. I can't wait to see what you've found at Rural King. Sounds interesting.

Keep the goodies comin'.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the post on Batiks by Design and I LOVE your bag. Please stop by and show it to us. We just love show and tell!! We'll be in Paducah again in the Finkle building at 2nd and Kentucky. Be sure to come and say HI, plus the store will be open in Murray!! Please let me know when you are in the store so that I can give you a hug of thanks!!

Patti