Open Wide Zippered Pouch

This Open Wide Zippered Pouch, by Noodlehead, has become one of my favorite "go-to" bags when I want to make something quick, yet useful. It's perfect for gathering all of the small items that you need when you're on the go.

This weekend I'm heading off to the mountain for a few days of sewing and laughter with my daughter and her sister-in-law, so I'm throwing in my thread, extra needles, snips, and a few sweet treats.

I love adding fun details like this little flower zipper charm.

Tutorial by: Noodlehead

Fabric: Flower Shop by Alexia Marcelle Abegg for Cotton + Steel

Fun and Funky Christmas

Earlier this summer, Jen (Heritage Threads) and I hosted an Christmas in July quilt along on Instagram, using the Modern Christmas Tree tutorial by Amy Smart, Diary of a Quilter. We wanted to get a jump on the busy holiday season and make a Christmas quilt when there was less stress...if that's even possible. We were so impressed with the number of Instagram friends that decided to quilt along with us. Many of the quilters used the Cotton + Steel holiday lines, like Jen and I did, others used more traditional Christmas fabrics in reds and greens, and there were even one or two who switched things up and modified that pattern to makes witch hats with Halloween fabrics.

These little trees that I used for the backing make me smile. Particularly the randomly decorated trees.

Picking the right binding was a hard choice, but I'm so happy that I ended up choosing this hot pink solid. I love the way it frames the quilt.

If you would like to see more quilts using this pattern, check out #holidaypatchworkinjulyqal and #holidaypatchworkforest on Instagram.

Holiday Patchwork Forest Tutorial: Diary of a Quilter

Fabric: Cotton + Steel

Quilting: Utah Valley Quilting