Wow–that is one gorgeous block!
I, AIMR, submit this plastic bag carrier for the Quarter 1 Challenge of quilting something functional. I have had one of these on my to make list for a long time, and thanks to @jellybean for reposting the tutorial, I final did it! This was also on my list of goals for the quarter.
It was much larger than I thought it would be, so it holds a ton of bags. I can take the whole thing with me back to the grocery store to have them recycled (do you think they really recycle them?).
The fabric all came from stash. I quilted the main body with a simple diagonal using my walking foot. The top I just did lines around and around. It made the opening stay open as well. It doesn’t really go with my decor, so it might find a home in the mudroom or garage. But, it sure is functional in the kitchen. I will have to make another one in maybe blues.
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If you are unsure about what happens to the bags, you could reuse the plastic bags at the store for your new purchases? Take it with you and hook onto your cart.
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I do reuse them for other shopping, but the self-checkouts require that you place your items in a special bag holder that is pre-loaded with bags. If you don’t, I guess they think you are stealing. I have tried using my cloth bags but there is no place to set them if you have a lot of groceries…no counter space? I have complained to the store about that but they have done nothing. I can’t even use them through the cashier line as the bags are below so the food sort of falls down into the bag and then they put them on a tiny space for you to put into your cart.
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Do you guys have Aldi near you? They are a lot better set up for using your own cloth bags. 
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The quarter is nearly finished, but there’s still time to get a bingo and claim a prize!
Today’s bingo prompt is:
Post about your favorite quilting tool or technique
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I’m pretty sure I have one (or two?!) bingos.
Did we have share pictures of your stash. Because mine is far too much
Note the two duvet covers for a kaleidescope quilt. Which don’t fit on my shelves, plus new fabric on the table.
Oh and this side which has a bit more fabric tucked away.
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My word, woman! You sure have done a lot of quilty projects and just in the first quarter!!
Your stash…no words…maybe some envy…
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@Edel wow! I’m envious not of the stash but the space to store it! It’s all right there. I have absolutely no organization to my mess right now. I keep planning to do so, then… life happens. Maybe this weekend?
As for my machine - when I explained what it was doing they think it’s a timing issue. And there’s a 9 week wait as they’re that backed up. On the other hand! I have 3 other machines. I have a practically new Singer Sew Mate I bought off FB Marketplace for $25 over a year ago. I’m watching tutorials to figure it out now. I also have a baby lock (needs feet) and an old machine with cams (also like new but i need instruction. It scares me). It’s just easier to use my tried and true Kenmore machine, so I never took the time for the others.
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I really need a certain stitch that my Brother sewing machine does, but I don’t want to drag out the manual and re-learn how to do it just now. When I have time, I will familiarize myself so I can take advantage of the embroidery functions. I usually try to get as many things done with it so I can put it away again.
My old Kenmore is my go to as well…zig zag and straight stitch is about all she does, but reliably!
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I bought a used Bernina 1130 and was surprised on how some thi gs were so similar to my old Kenmore and how much is different. Easiest threading ever!. YouTube is so helpful. I do better with pictures or video than qritten instructuons.
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Try YouTube? That’s how I’m learning my Sew Mate (I haven’t tried it yet but … built in needle threader! I did it the old-fashioned, squint and pray, method. Saw the video an hour later)
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I do better with words (which is why I watch instructional YouTube videos with captions). I marked the page I need for that stitch; I am just being lazy.
I managed to complete my bunny quilt top for my newest great niece! I used a fat quarter pack and then added in solids that have been in my stash.
I did a simple disappearing 9 patch. The tricky part was the directional prints, so I just made sure they could be seen from all 4 sides the same way. I learned that from another quilt I made a few years ago for my great nephew.
I bought baby flannel at Joann’s. It was on major clearance, so I bought 4 yards even though I really only needed two. However, I don’t want to put a seam down the middle, so I am thinking of going back to get another print or solid for the binding and can use some of that to put in a strip off-centered. I really don’t want to buy more fabric, so maybe I will just quilt it so that the seam is not really noticeable.
A peek at the backing fabric…I wonder if I just got lucky or it is from the same group as the fat quarters?
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I love those little bunnies and that backing fabric is perfect! Personally, I think the backing is just busy enough that the seam won’t be super noticeable, especially once pressed and quilted. What a great gift!
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The backing works perfectly. What a great find. I often make piecing the back look intentional. A large 4 square or a strip of leftover blocks or a center extra block. Samples below.
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Unfortunately, I don’t have any leftover fabrics except for a bit of the solids! I am searching through my stash, but I am not a pink person, so I have very little in that colorway. I might have some grey, but I need binding anyway, so guess I am going to have to go to Joann’s again…it just depresses me to go there now!
I have always admired the backs of quilts that are just as wonderful as the fronts!
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I love this @AIMR there colour combos are great and a disappearing 9 patch is a classic
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I didn’t hold up much hope that I would be able to find anything suitable for a binding for the bunny quilt. I went to Joann’s with my fabrics and really lucked out! Again, I had to buy two yards, but I can use it to back some more baby stuff I am making for my great niece!
I decided not to get more fabric for the backing. I am going to piece together the 4 yards of flannel I got instead, encouraged by @AudiobookLover . Once it is quilted, the seam won’t even be noticed.
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I love how this is all coming together so perfectly!
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It is the last day of the quarter, which means, it’s the last day for this round of Quiltalong bingo. Maybe this will be the last prompt somebody needs to get a bingo. Let’s find out!
Today’s bingo prompt is:
Bind a quilt/quilted project
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