Christmas Finished Objects

I made a few things for Christmas for my knitting friends this year, and I had to wait until after Christmas to show them. I have been meeting with these ladies for close to four years, and they are some of my dearest friends. I wanted to make them something, but knitting seemed out of the question since we are all knitters.

Hmm. Maybe I should preface these photos with the comment that my Mom, mother-in-law, aunt, and grandmother are prolific sewers - and most of them have fabric stashes that put my sizable wool stash to shame. And my longest-standingf friend Tara loves to tell people tell people that she took a steep dislike to me when we first met in Grade 8 Home Ec because I took the easy way out with a sewing assignment.

I have probably touched a sewing machine less times that you can count on one hand since that Home Ec class finished - but as I mentioned above, I wanted to make something for my friends. I went to Etsy to get some ideas of handmade things for knitters, and decided I would try to make them project bags. I found a pattern at my local quilting store literally titled "The Easiest Accessory Bag Ever" - so easy in fact, you didn't have to trace out the pattern - only cut out rectangles from fat quarters.

My MIL, Debby, gave me a quick re-tutorial of her sewing machine, and after the two of us puzzled through the first one, she left me on my own to finish the last three.

Michelle's Project Bag - chosen because I always associate her with having a tea or coffee with her.



Denise's Project Bag - chosen because she is such a dog lover, and between her and her three daughters, I think they have 9 dogs.



Patti's Project Bag - chosen because she is such a dramatic, forthright person, and I thought she would love the contrast between the black and pink.



Kathy's Project Bag - this one was a little tougher. Kathy is a bit like me, we have very similar clothing styles with Lands End Mocs and fleece - very casual - but it is Kathy alone among us who has picked the most feminine and flirty yarn to work with, so I picked this swirly purple fabric.



All finished, the bags are about 7X9", and have drawstring enclosures and handles - perfect for socks or other small projects. I was pleased as punch at how they turned out, and have already bought the fabric to make one of my own.