The challenge
Products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge. As an Island Batik Ambassador I receive two shipments a year filled with beautiful Island Batik fabric. Included in these shipments are products from industry partners Hobbs Batting, Schmetz Needles, Deb Tucker Studio 180 Designs, Aurifil Thread, Oliso Irons, Funky Friends Factory, ByAnnie, and AccuQuilt.
I’ve had a blast making the bag Clam Up from byAnnie. The October Island Batik Challenge was to choose and make bag with a “Patterns with Add-on Videos™” . The patterns are very clear, but sometimes you just need that visual.
The Ambassadors selected the fabric we wanted as well and I chose the 3 above. The purple fabric is from the Aurora Collection sku#612503405, 612506435. From the IB Foundations, be28-g1 which is the green fabric.
The pattern includes 5 sizes and I chose to make the extra large bag.
The finish
After quilting the main fabric I chose to add a couple of decorative stitches from my Bernette to for decoration. The green thread is Aurifil from their Jade Vine Color Builder.
The x-large bag would make a great purse if you add a strap. This bag I gifted to one of the volunteers at the local fire dept. She used it on a recent trip.
The bottom of the x-large bag has the exact same stitching as the sides. I quilted it before cutting the bag shape.
The designs on the small version were stitched on my Brother embroidery machine.
I really love the small bag and swan design.
On the smaller bag I added a wristlet. The hardware is up-cycled, removed from a purse before it went to the trash man. I always save the hardware, even off of dog collars when an item has reached the end of its life. You never know where you might need it.
The needles in my Bernette and embroidery machine are Schmetz Universal Needles.
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These are great!!! I LOVE Clam up bags! And the additional stitching makes these bags fabulous!
My most favorite pattern yet.
WOW! Those bags are really beautiful. I love the way they look. Great job!
Thank you so much.
The embroidery on your bags is so pretty, Denise! I love your tip for saving the hardware. I save buttons, but I never thought about saving hardware from used items. Thanks!
Thank you. I wish I’d thought about saving the hardware years ago because they have saved me multiple times. Buttons I don’t save.
Hi Denise, those are such lovely bags, and so useful! You did a great job! Please come by to link up – I’ve just posted my latest 🙂 Take care.
Headed that way now, thank you.
These are so pretty, Denise. I love that you quilted them on your embroidery machine…and used fancy stitches. Very cool.
Great job on your clam bags, Denise. Love the colors and the embroidery just adds so much!
Thank you
Thanks so much Denise for linking up to FM Mavericks! I really love the combination of stitching and embroidery. They are both so lovely!
Thank you