I wanted to do some improv piecing so I gathered some of my favorite scraps and cut them into strips.

I cut those strips into various lengths and sewed them into one long strip. I cut that continuous strip down to 22" individual strips and laid those strips together until I was happy with the combination. I sewed the strips together to make a 22" x 22" piece of fabric.

I cut in a curved form -or pod- using a white piece of fabric. This is the same technique I used to make my "Stones" wall hanging.

I cut in 3 white forms and a green one just to mix things up a bit. I decided to make a tote bag so this became the front of the bag.

For the back of the bag, I used the same fabrics to make a wonky log cabin block.

I put a border around the log cabin to make it the same size as the front piece.

I loaded this onto my table top longarm for some quilting.

I free-motioned quilted straight lines on the wonky log cabin.

I free-motioned quilted swirls, curls and lines on the front piece.

I quilted a serpentine stitch using the walking foot on my domestic machine.

I sewed the front to the back, right sides together and then cut a 2 1/2 inch square out of both bottom corners to box the bottom of the bag.

I used the Star Tote Bag pattern by Suzy Quilts for the bag construction.

The handle is made from the solid purple fabric and a piece of scrap batting.

This bag if fully lined and here I'm attaching the lining to the bag.

I chose a large purple print for the lining.

Close up of the bag back highlighting the serpentine stitching.

Close up of the bag front highlighting the free-motion quilting.

Improv Tote Bag (front)

19" x 19"

September 2024

Improv Tote Bag (back)

19" x 19"

September 2024