Red Telephone Box Travel Bag

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern

 

I had the idea of a Red Telephone Box quilt pattern for a long while.   As you know, I love old architecture, and I fell in love with the vine- and plant-decked Oxford windows.   So I added a Victorian street lamp along with a lit-up window – an Oxford window, if you will.  Once I had designed and made the block, it became obvious to me that I wanted to make a travel bag with it.

I not only finished sewing the bag, I also managed to make good progress toward an architecture-influenced painting.

 

 

Gothich Architecture Drawing | Whims And Fancies

 

 

After meticulously drawing out the previous symmetrical design with drafting tools, I changed my mind and reordered the elements in an asymmetrical fashion.  This is the planning sketch for the new drawing.

 

 

Gothic Architecture Drawing | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Now that the initial drawing is done, I will start adding shading and the ornamental details.  Then I get to start painting it.  Still a long way to go, but I enjoy getting lost inside a long project.

 

 

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

After the last two Wandering Camera posts full of Oxford photos and the drawing, I couldn’t ignore the Red Telephone Box block any more.

 

 

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Last week I used my very own crossbody bag pattern to make this bag.  I had all the materials at hand, even a fire-engine red zipper.

As this was my One Monthly Goal, I am linking up with Patty at Elm Street

 

 

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

This blue fabric that I had been saving for a special project was perfect for the back.  I love that it has “Destination Adventure” printed on it.

 

 

Red Telephone Box quilt pattern, British Telephone Box quilt pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Red Telephone Box Pattern

 

I pieced the red grid on my telephone booth.  However, for easier piecing, I also included pattern sections without the grid.  The grid can be added afterwards via a thick-width machine stitch.  The finished block is 12″, which I find to be a great size for fun projects.  The Red Telephone Box quilt pattern is available in my shop, if you wish to make one.

 

Now when I travel, I am all set to walk around in old cities carrying my camera, my little travel journal / notebook, even a sketchbook and colour pencils.  It’s even the perfect size for the day trips we love to take on weekends.

 

If you have missed the photos or want to revisit, here are the links for a few of my photos of Christ Church, Oxford –

Posts On England Travel – 2016

Oxford – Christ Church Part I

Oxford – Christ Church Part II

 

You can also still link up on this month’s Wandering Camera.

 

Happy Wandering,
-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.  

 

 

 

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Sunburst Star Bag

Bag With Star Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Sunburst Star Pattern

 

Thank you so much everyone, for the get well wishes, all those good vibes definitely helped!  I finally started feeling a lot better earlier this week, after almost a week and a half of being sick.  Now only a little sniffle and a bit of stuffy head remains.  Last week I planned out my one-block WIPs, and I am very happy to share the first finished project with you today.  I started to work on it slowly as the cold left me.

 

 

 

Before that though, I have something to share with you.  A couple of days ago, I received a package at the front door.  My friend Kris had sent me a surprise feel-good package.  This is not the first time she has done it either.  Unbeknownst to her, I have been more than a little upset by current affairs lately.  The kind gesture made me intrinsically happy.  Something must also have gotten into my eyes at the same time to make them a bit misty!  I am very thankful for all the lovely, supportive friends I have made here.

 

 

 

Purchase Sunburst Star Pattern

 

So, with a warm heart I started working on turning this Sunburst Star block into a bag.  The colours are my favourite part of this block,  specially the background fabric.  The nebulous texture of it directed the choices I made for the rest of the bag. 

 

 

 

 

Ever since I picked that background fabric for the star, I knew I wanted to make a night-sky-themed project with that block.   Weather permitting, I love to spend time outside watching the night sky.  I took this photo of the galactic centre quite awhile ago when I first started fiddling with the camera and the telescope.  I found the perfect fabric to remind me of that.

 

 

Bag With Star Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

One look at my fabric shelf, and I knew this Stonehenge fabric had to be the accompanying fabric.  It also emphasises the blue and the purple from the block.  The back of the bag is completely made of that fabric.

 

 

Bag With Star Quilt Pattern | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Because of the colours of the star block, I had a choice of a warm or cool palette.  I wanted to use the silver strap and the rings, so I opted for a cool palette and picked a lavender zipper instead of a yellow one.  I also found this little charm in my cabinet, which became a perfect zipper pull for this bag.

 

 

 

Purchase Sunburst Star Pattern

 

You would not believe how happy I am with this bag.  I wanted to use my paper pieced blocks on projects other than quilted ones.  I designed this bag ‘pattern’ with that in mind.  This way I can also have bags that are a lot more akin to my personality.  The Sunburst Star bag definitely feels like a piece of the night sky that I love to explore with my telescope.

The Sunburst Star quilt pattern is available in my shop if you wish to make one.

Happy Sewing,
-Soma

 

Linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.

 

 

 

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