It's in the Bag Shop Hop for Island Batik

It’s in the Bag - Back At Ya 2.1 Purse-Backpack

The September Island Batik Ambassador challenge is to create a bag of our choice from the byAnnie collection. We selected from a specific group of patterns with Add-on Videos™ supporting specific parts of the ByAnnie patterns and help us learn the best techniques. The add-on videos don't replace the pattern but rather enhance the sewing experience.

I’ll be creating this project with three fabrics from the Island Batik Gatsby collection by Kathy Engle along with Aurifil Thread, Schmetz Needles and Soft and Stable stabilizer. These supplies have been provided to me in my role as Island Batik Ambassador. Watch for information on a giveaway buy both me and Island Batik at the end of this blog.

There are LOTS of pieces to the Back At Ya 2.1 bag from ByAnnie so I started this project coping the labels on to a self-adhesive label page. To maintain my sanity, I did NOT count the number of pieces! After cutting all pieces from the not quilted fabric, I loaded the backing fabric on Annabelle, my Handi-Quilter Amara. It was topped with Soft and Stable stabilizer then the main fabric. I selected Three Tours Wavy Strip E2E design by Joyce Lundrigan from my Pro-Stitcher menu for the quilting. Aurifil thread was used in both the top and bobbin.

Check out how beautifully the Three Tours Wavy Strip E2E design is stitched up on long arm machine. The darker Island Batik Gatsby by Kathy Engle will be outside of my Back At Ya 2.1 bag ByAnnie. The lighter color will be the lining. Soft and Stable stabilizer really shows off the quilting. With the quilting completed, I’m ready to cut the remaining pieces

Details, details, details…let’s get them out of the way and set aside. A. The padded handle and zipper pull cords are carefully pressed and accurately stitched. B. Turning long, thin pieces was a snap with the Dritz Quick Turn tool. It’s packaged with three sizes so there’s always one that works. C. Double stitching super strong magnets on to pocket flaps. These were provided in the kit from Annie. D. Pocket flaps are bound with a third coordinating fabric from Island Batik Gatsby by Kathy Engle. The bias cut trim provided the perfect edge finish.

How exciting is this? Both zippers stitched in place, every piece from the teeny tiny to the largest are now stitched into only three units. The sides, top and bottom are now a long circular unit with a zipper in place. The back has the straps attached and a zippered pockets on both the inside and outside. The front has the flap with magnet to cover the outside pocket and a slotted pocket inside. It’s is almost complete!

Are you ready? The three units become two today. After shaping the sides, bottom, top unit of the Back At Ya 2.1 bag by Annie I’m ready to stitch. The bottom left photo shows the front being stitched to the sides, bottom and top unit. This inside seam is bound with bias binding for a clean finish inside and out. With Island Batik fabrics, this bag is beautiful from every view.

Getting so close to completion! This assortment (top left) of feet for my Viking Sapphire 870 Quilt sewing machine were all used to complete this bag. The Clover Awl was a huge help too as many layers of fabric, zipper and padding were stitched together. Wonder Clips by Clover gave a big assist holding the bias binding in place for stitching. The back, with the mesh zippered pocket, is now stitched and ready to turn.

Turning this right side out for final reveal is the last step so this sneak peek shows off the practical inside features of this Back At Ya 2 bag by Annie. Use of Kathy Engle’s Spicy Mustard from the Gatsby Collection makes it easy to see into the bag. The zippered mesh full sized back pocket allows easy access to flat items. The inside front pocket in Black Chevron has three compartments. Check out how far this bag unzips, also allowing for easy access.

It’s In The Bag! Blog Hop - September Island Batik Ambassador Challenge. IT’S FINISHED! All those tiny pieces, layers and layer of materials to stitch through, two zippers to install, teeny tubes to turn and yards of bias binding…ALL COMPLETED. What a feeling of accomplishment. It was so worth it! I have a useful, sophisticated, fabulous new backpack which is just the right size!

Now for the fun stuff!

Head over to the Island Batik blog to enter a giveaway! Register here for a chance to win a FAT QUARTER pack of Island Batik Mandala Magic or Lemon Grass collections.

Additionally, leave a comment below to enter my giveaway of a two stash builder 5” rolls of Island Batik Fabrics. Be sure to leave an email address so I have a way to contact you if you win.