Wordless Wednesday 293 ~ Condo Greenery

Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA

Wordless Wednesday 292 ~ Sultana? After Rain at Condo

Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA

on way to garage after a rain. 

I've called them Sultana but most call them Impatiens.

These leaves are hardier perhaps because they are thriving outdoors here.

Flat Bottom Circle Drawstring Bag

  Here's another gift for this past Christmas I made for some friends.  I liked these bags so well, I made a couple for myself. 
   I got the idea from Carolina Stefano's YouTube, but I'm posting this to add some tips in making these super versatile bags.

******************

Tuesday Tip

******************

For some time I've looked for a bag to take to sewing groups/classes

that doesn't have me digging for items.

I love how this opens up allowing me to see everything

without taking all out and laying on table.  

The ridge also keeps small things from falling off the table.

It can also hold odd shaped items.

I'm now using 1 bag in Florida to hold make up, keys, ID, cards & receipts

as it lays on the counter top.

The other is holding scrap booking pens and scissors.

We know how pens like to roll anywhere/everywhere.

These are very quick to make

and you can make any size you like by changing the size of the circle.

First you might want to watch the video, 

then check my tips below.

My Tips

Instead of cutting out a large circle,

fold fabric and your circle pattern in half then half again

and cut 1/4 of circle's edge at one time. Done.

I used the same circle I found to make the 

Jewelry Bag in my earlier post.

Remember you can use any size circle you like.

Strips for drawstring casing can be cut from scraps

and sewn together.

Look at weave to see the bias.

The reason you need bias cut is for easier sewing around the curved circle edge.

Also stretching fabric for longest stretch helps to find bias of fabric.

 

Use the 45° angle line on the ruler to cut ends

to sew the strips together to eliminate bulky straight seams.

Use a quarter inch seam foot to sew strips together.

I don't do a lot of actual measuring.

I laid the strip down 4 times along this section plus some to measure

and approximate length I would need to go around the circle.

 I marked each section and numbered so I wouldn't lose count.

The marks also helped me to pin the strip around the edge to make sure I evenly laid the strip.

On the 2 circles nip a "V" shape notch on opposite ends of the half fold

to mark where each of the 2 strips will start and begin.

Use the quarter inch foot to stitch the casing to the first circle.

Then

 

 add the second circle

stitch on the side of the circle where you can see the stitching

you just made.

This time stitch along the outside edge of the foot.

This makes sure you are stitching inside the previous stitching

to make sure its hidden.

Again, I don't measure,

just laid the cording around the edge

and overlapped ends a bit,

then used it to cut the second one.

The only thing I don't care for is the extra 

amount of cord/string that's left hanging

after you tie it.

Have you noticed they are reversible?

Sun Best ~ Mr. Seagull

 Palm Bay, Florida USA

Quilt Shot ~ Fractured Quilt

 Went to a quilt show in Melbourne, Florida.

I've added a new challenge to my list.

Learn how to make a Fractured Quilt.

 It seems to take 2 to 4 panels.

Wordless Wednesday 291~ Premiere Theatre

 One of our favorite theaters in Melbourne, Florida, USA

It's part of a very small shopping strip 

that is in a beautiful southern setting of large trees and lush greenery.

The entrance kinda makes me feel like Scarlet Ohara.

Wordless Wednesday 290 ~ Deland Florida

 Athens Theatre, Deland, Florida, USA

Stetson University, Deland, Florida, USA