Sewing

Purchase Fields On Camera Pattern

I was travelling in Sweden a few weeks ago. Alongside all the travel preparation, I decided to make a bag only a few days before leaving. I am a fairly light traveller and I always take a specific set of things in my hand bag in preparation for a long flight. I wanted the bag to be just large enough to fit those items. I knew I didn’t need a very complicated bag with lots of pockets. I am not very advanced at sewing and I had to make this bag very quickly if I were to take it with me. With all that in mind, I started looking for a simple bag pattern.

Camera Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

Purchase Fields On Camera Pattern

I was very excited to finish this block from my camera quilt pattern and I really wanted to use it for the bag. I looked at a few bag patterns, but none of them were designed in a way that would enable me to use the camera block. Most of the patterns were also too complicated for me to finish in the given time. In the end, it was easier for me to write down the measurements and design my own bag rather than editing and retrofitting my needs onto an existing pattern.

Cross Body Bag With Zipper | Whims And Fancies

When I got around to the zipper, it was actually a lot easier to sew than I had expected. I was going to use the outer blue fabric around the zipper, but not having any more of it, I ended up using the lining fabric instead.

When I attached the strap holders and rings to the bag, I stitched over them a few times for extra support. I use cotton webbing for the loops as well as for the straps as they are much sturdier than cloth. I used a set of silver strap hardware this time instead of my usual black.

Zippered Cross Body Travel Bag | Whims And Fancies

Earlier, when I made the bag for Dixie, I liked this blue fabric so much, I bought a little extra. Since this bag would see rough use, I needed a dark shade of fabric. The blue fabric was just right for that.

The bag has a large back pocket and two inside pockets, which is just right for me. The bag proved not only extremely useful during the many long flights from San Francisco to Kiruna, it was wonderful for day trips in Sweden as well. It even holds two big water bottles along with all the other necessities.

Abisko, Sweden | Whims And Fancies

Abisko, Sweden

As for Sweden, it is a very beautiful country. We hired a car there and travelled extensively every day. Before we knew, it was time to head back home again, wishing for one more day there. If Lara and Mary are reading this post, I promise I haven’t forgotten about writing a full post about our trip to Sweden. I am still sorting through photos, I took an overwhelming number of them!

-Soma

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Greek Letters Quilt Patterns | Whims And Fancies

Purchase Greek Alphabet Pattern

I got the name of this quilt, To Hellenikon or Greekness, from Herodotus. The shared sense of identity among the ancient Greeks as described by him is perhaps the reason behind the everlasting legacy of the Greek civilization. Its presence permeates almost everything I encounter from literature to science. I got the idea of making a Greek alphabet quilt a couple of years ago. Shortly after that I found myself designing these Greek letter quilt patterns like an addict and very soon I was finished. Then we purchased a house, moved 400 miles and experienced a few unsavory events. I had to shelve this quilt for a while, but earlier this year it was time to start working on it again.

Greek Alphabet Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

Purchase Greek Alphabet Pattern

I love to visit old, tranquil abbey ruins. The colours of this quilt were drawn from the colours of Monks’ habits. The khaki and brown seemed like perfect symbols for something old and hard-wearing. I used the same set of fabrics for the letters, the shashing and the borders. Only the binding is done with a different brown fabric.

As for the layout, I finally decided to mimic a page from an exercise book used by someone who is learning how to write . That in turn dictated the horizontal quilting with cream coloured thread. I tried a different design on the border but it looked too busy compared to the simple design of the rest of the quilt. At the end I framed the “page” by quilting rectangles around the border with variegated thread. I love quilting with variegated threads. Now my idea of this quilt is finally a reality and ready for us to use!

Since many have asked, I have the set available in my shop. Thank you so much!!

I have a few more index card drawings to share this week –

Icad 2015 - Ice Cream | Whims And Fancies

Ice Cream On A Hot Summer’s Day

Icad 2015 - Shel Silverstein | Whims And Fancies

I express myself best in writing. Pen and ink took the centre stage on this one, alongside my favourite poem by Shel Silverstein.

Icad 2015 - Broken Clock | Whims And Fancies

An Exploding Clock with its pieces floating away into nothingness

Icad 2015 - A Windy Autumn Day | Whims And Fancies

Even though wind has hijacked many of my umbrellas, I love a blustery autumn day.

Icad 2015 - Man Men | Whims And Fancies

My version of Mad Men – unplugged and mad with ideas!

Icad 2015 - On The Road In The Morning | Whims And Fancies

I love to drive during pre-dawn hours. A sense of independence engulfs me.

Icad 2015 - Self Portrait In The Forest | Whims And Fancies

Self-portrait – walking into the unknown most of the time

I played with different ideas on these but “movement” seems to have found its way into almost all of them. Thank you for following me on the journeys of The Greekness quilt and the index card drawing projects. Your encouraging words have been very motivating.

Happy Crafting,
-Soma

Travel Bag For Sweden

To Hellenikon And Drawing Cards