Thursday, April 28, 2022

Judy's Bloom Project Hop for Benartex Designer Fabrics

Welcome to my stop on this week's fun little jaunt around QBL (Quilt Blog Land) showing off a beautiful new line, 'Judy's Bloom' by Eleanor Burns for Benartex Designer Fabrics. I sure got some spring in my step when Stephanie asked if I'd like to be a part of this Fabric Feature. The fabrics are just lovely! I chose to make myself a new spring tote bag.

After all a girl can never have too many bags, right?
If this is your first visit here, welcome! I hope you'll poke around a bit, and see what I get up to in my patch of the world. If you decide to follow me, see my sidebar to get my posts in your email inbox. I am also on Instagram, @mmmquilts. If you are a long-time reader, the welcome is just as warm because I appreciate you for returning again and again! There is a giveaway at the end of my post, so be sure to check it out.

Thank you so much to Benartex for supplying the beautiful fabrics for my bag.


Eleanor Burns is one of those famous quilters who has influenced so many, myself among them, over the 25 or so years I've quilted. Her stripping is legendary, lol. Seriously, her strip-piecing methods blew my, and many others', minds, and let's not forget the No Waste Flying Geese - genius. This new line is dedicated to her sister who she lost ten years ago. I had the opportunity to attend Benartex's Virtual Fabric Showcase earlier this week, and how interesting and inspiring was it to hear from the designers behind the beautiful fabrics Benartex makes, hear their voices, and see their new and upcoming lines. Was Eleanor there? You bet she was!

There are 21 fabrics in Judy's Bloom, and three colour ways: pink, which I chose, lavender, and blue.


I used my pattern, Positive Flow, which you can find in my Etsy shop, SandraJaneQuilts.

The pattern has two sizes of quilts, baby and throw, as well as the tote bag within it. I've made this tote bag, oh, six times now. So one would think I could do it with my eyes closed. (Foreshadowing there, didja catch it?)

I started with the back, 'webbing' the rows together. It's a great way to keep everything in order. I learned a similar method, which I call "Book it", from Judy Villett, a fabulous quilt artist, when I took her colourwash quilt course in the late 90s. That method has you chain piece (web) columns first into pairs, and then into columns. I often assemble my quilt tops using this method, and I've taught several others how to do it, since it's just so slick.

The front side went together lickety-split, and in no time I was quilting, straight lines with my walking foot on my Bernina. I got a little bit fancy, when the idea came to me to throw in a few FMQ blossoms along those lines, echoing the dogwood blossoms of the fabric. 

I went to square up the front, and thought, wait, it seems to be a little short on height, (kind of like the maker). And then I realized😖...

I'd forgotten to sew the upper front band onto the finished plus blocks section of the flimsy! Talk about 'eyes closed'... short on, uh, brain cells?!
I'd already trimmed three sides when it hit me. How to fix this?

I sandwiched the quilted section between the front band, a strip of muslin backing, and a strip of batting, and sewed through all thicknesses with a 1/4" seam. I pressed the two bands up and away from the quilted section, and then quilted through the layers of the band. It looks just like the other five bags I've made except for a seam on the muslin backing, which should've been just one big rectangle. It will be hidden under the lining so no one will ever know. (except for all of you, ha) Yay me, and dumb me, both!

I quilted the backing a little differently than the other bags, all of which I've done on my longarm.

I love the look! It also connects to the front, with the use of straight lines, and the criss-crossing effect. I used the above three Aurifil colours.

Here is the back a week ago. It's amazing how slowly the magnolia blooms unfurl (compare the first photo to the one below). Well, to be honest, each spring my husband and I comment on how slowly spring happens here as compared to in Alberta where we lived ten years ago. There, you notice buds, and within two weeks max, full-on leaves. Here in southern Ontario, I noticed buds on the lilacs a month ago, and today they are baby leaves, not fully out for another couple of weeks. Fall is just as gentle and slow here, the opposite again of Alberta.

I used the white on white that is a part of the fabric line for the lining. I opted to make contrasting pockets and inside bottom. A magnetic closure completes the bag, though I've yet to use it since the quilt I take to yoga usually comes to the top of the bag!

The bag has a boxed bottom.

As you can see, it's a healthy size! I've already used it to take my stuff to teach yoga a couple of times, and got some nice compliments on it. 

Quilt Stats:
Pattern: Positive Flow
Size: 20.5" x 16.5"
Fabric: Judy's Bloom by Eleanor Burns for Benartex Designer Fabrics
Backing: as above
Batting: Quilter's Dream 100% wool
Quilted: on my Bernina, walking foot and FMQ
Threads: pieced with Aurifil; quilted with Aurifil

Giveaway - two prizes! 

Benartex is giving away a bundle of these beautiful fabrics to one lucky reader in the US only due to shipping expense. My apologies to all my Canadian and UK, French, Aussie and Kiwi friends, so for you I have a copy of my Positive Flow pattern to a second winner not in the US. Also, if you are quilting along with my Pop Star QAL, (that link explains the free QAL and has the links to the posts thus far) I have a strippies pack (2.5" strips) of one of Benartex's current lines for one of you!)
All you need to do is leave me a comment that answers this question: have you made yourself a quilted tote bag and what country do you live in? One comment per person; please leave me your email if you are a no-reply. Due to the high volume of comments during giveaways I won’t be responding but I will be reading each one! One comment per person please. Doubles will be deleted. 

I'll choose the winners by random number generator on Sunday and announce it next week. Good luck! If you've missed some of the posts, fear not; the links are below. There are giveaways at each stop and a free pattern coming on Friday!

Kathy R won the fabric bundle from Benartex
Cathy B won the Positive Flow pattern

Fabric Feature on the Benartex site
Tuesday
Tammy at Tamarini's
Thursday
Sandra (that's me!) at mmmquilts (you are here!)

Linking up








55 comments:

  1. I love your tote bag - lovely fabrics! That was a great save on the front. Yes, I've made several quilted bags over the years, and I live in New Zealand :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Sandra! I haven't made myself quilted tote bag, but I really admire yours! It's beautiful! I live in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh I love the soft pretty colours, that green yum! Quilted tote bag for me, that would be never. Canada, yeah!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mostly I have done zippered pouches, not totes. But I did do a workshop with Aunties Two and made the Rockport Tote in that gorgeous border print. I’m in Ontario, awaiting all the blooming! Stephanie S

    ReplyDelete
  5. Those are such lovely fabrics - a bright touch of spring. I have made tote bags and still use the ones I haven’t gifted. Sue. Reads44460 at yahoo dot com. I live in Texas

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the colors and the quilting is wonderful - especially those little flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have made lots of quilted tote bags. I make them for the charity quilts my church group makes, because it makes the quilt extra special to arrive in a matching bag. They are also a great way to use up leftovers from the quilt. I live north of you here in Canada and I love that fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Okay, I will try this again. I have made two, one from batiks and the other from panels that I got from a local shop hop. It is big enough to take all my fabric when I go to long arm class. I live in USA , Missouri.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have made quilted bags but never a tote of this size. I live in the US

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love making quilted bags, and am due for a new one! Your Positive Flow design is really calling to me, and love that pretty, summery fabric. Thanks for the giveaway, Sandra - I live in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your bag Sandra! And the fabrics are awesome. Thank you for the chance to win.
    I have made a lot of quilted bags for me and some friends though they aren't exactly totes. I really enjoy making them. I live in the USA.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have made myself a quilted tote bag & I use it often! Like you said, we can never have too many bags!! Love the photo of you with your beautiful tote!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I’ve made several quilted bags using upholstery fabric. I practiced FM quilting following the pattern of the fabric and then made them into bags. I live in North Carolina, USA

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes I’ve made a couple of quilted bags. USA

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love making all sorts of bags - grocery, totes, zipper pouches.... They are my "go to" when I'm asked to donate to a raffle or need a gift. (New Hampshire)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your tote bag is gorgeous! Yes, I have made several quilted totes and purses. The most fun was to use "ugly fabrics" from a quilt guild meeting, and I turned those "ugly fabrics" into a large tote to transport my show and tell projects to our meetings. I live in the USA

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love Eleanor's new fabric line. Such cheery spring colors. Yes, I've made several tote bags as well as smaller purses. I live in the US.
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have yet to make a quilted tote, but have made a couple of simple bags. Yours is beautiful. Current teacher in the USA.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the spring tote. I've made many totes, bags, and purses for myself and as gifts.
    I live in central Arizona. The desert is beautiful in the spring months.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your bag is beautiful. Inspiration for me as I have never made one!! Your design is so pretty . I live in MI USA Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  21. yes, it was a cat tote with feet. home is missouri, usa.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your tote bag is gorgeous!! Makes us look forward to spring-whenever it gets here. I haven't made any quilted tote bags for a couple of years. Need to get busy and make some new ones, thanks for the inspiration! USA

    ReplyDelete
  23. I made a very large quilted tote bags with an iris appliqué design on it. USA

    ReplyDelete
  24. You totally showcased this gorgeous fabric in your beautiful bag...love it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Haven't made any yet, but have the fabrics and patterns to do so. Thinking of giving as Christmas gifts - USA

    ReplyDelete
  26. Those fabrics and the Magnolia tree, what a perfect setting , Quilted tote bags, the first one was a " Made to measure" for library bags, to fit 12 books and 3 magazines, the latest one was in green fabrics that sat in the cupboard for some years, a green " Koru" , the unfurling New Zealand Fern Leaf , was on the front. The bag turned out to be a lot larger than I had planned, it is huge.Maybe a TWO yoga mat size.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have made a few bags and look forward to trying your pattern. Your tote bag is beautiful and I love the fabric line! I live in Canada - Kathy - kdcamp4 at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  28. Yes, I have made several quilted tote bags. I just love them all and love I have a choice for my mood that day.
    My email is oldersister88@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I really love the colors! It is a refreshing look of spring! And it looks like it would be a great class project bag!
    I tried to put email in, but it didn't let me. dananddale66@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh yes!! I have made a few patchwork totes...lol I am a Tote Addict...Absolutely!! Yours is Beautiful!!! :) I live in Ohio, USA
    Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. I live in the U S and love the bag! I have made tote bags, but never a quilted one -- I have plans to do one sometime in the near future. cmberry@lsu.edu

    ReplyDelete
  32. Love the bag and the photography with the magnolia & glad you were able to take the photos before it turned brown. I'm also a pink fan. Your little slip-up sounds more like me. Take care and hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yes, I have made a quilted tote bag using charm squares! I live in the US. rnwillis@velotech.net

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have made a couple of totes for others, but don't have one of my own. I love the tote you made, I love the background fabric mostly, but also the quilting and the way the lines cross!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Sandra! OMG! This bag is GORGEOUS. Those fabrics are perfection and represent Spring so nicely. EB is the reason we started quilting. I think we have all of her books. I love how you quilted your tote, too. I have never made one like yours, but you make the process look so easy. It makes me wonder why I don't give it a try?! Thanks for the inspiration! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have made many quilted totes and the ones I sewed for myself are worn out. Guess I need to make more! I am in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Yes, I have made a couple of quilted tote bags--about time for another!! Love your colors--very pretty bag! I live in Nebraska, USA. bjkaup@abbnebraska.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have made a few totes, all as gifts, and a couple of zipper pouches, again, all given away. Eleanor Burns' fabric line is so perfect for spring. quiltcarver at yahoo dot com. I live in Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Your tote is beautiful. I have not made one myself as yet. I live USA .swoot@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have made several quilted tote bags. I live in the USA. (Vermont)

    ReplyDelete
  41. I have made lots of quilted tote bags for friends, for relatives, for me!! Love using them! I live in Spain.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I have made a quilted bag before but it's getting old and worn. Time to make a new one. Yours turned out wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have made several quilted bags. They are great for gifts and trying out block patterns without the work of a larger project. I am in Pennsylvania.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love that bag! I have made a couple. I am from Michigan

    ReplyDelete
  45. I've made several quilted tote bags, but tend to sew more pouches overall for gifting. Love that Positive Flow pattern! Stay well! Cathy in Port Perry
    basaran.family (at) rogers (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Yes, I love making quilted tote bags. I've made them out of regular fabric, out of old quilt tops, out of new quilt tops that just don't appeal as a quilt! Somehow as a tote bag, they look much better and make me smile. I love in the United States.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Love your bag!! I have made many a quilted tote, in fact for my daughters wedding I made 10 in 1 month! I live in the US

    ReplyDelete
  48. Love the bag. A couple of years ago, my 3 sisters & I decided to make tote bags together. Each tote was made by 3 sisters & gifted to the 4th. I use my tote bag 4 days a week. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Oh yes I’ve made tote bags, purses and cute little zippered bags. Haven’t done any recently so maybe I should. USA your quilting on your tote was interesting. I usually take a faster/easier way.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Your bag is lovely in the spring fabric line! I've made several tote bags over the years, some to keep and some to gift. I live in the USA.

    ReplyDelete
  51. What a great bag. And a great fabric collection.

    ReplyDelete
  52. This looks so much like spring with those lovely soft florals. I've yet to make a tote and I do like your pattern. I'm in the US.

    ReplyDelete
  53. No, I have not made a quilted tote even though I love them. Your pattern looks quite nice and I like the size of it. The fabric line is lovely and a wonderful tribute to Eleanor's sister. We moved and all I have in my yard is a tiny white dogwood tree that the builder planted. I miss my pink magnolia tree, roses, and crape myrtle trees. I hope you enjoy your blooms!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I have made a few tote bags using selvages, I love using these normally throw aways for very useful purposes.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I made a quilted tote last month. It's a beach tote and turned out nice. I live in the USA. petuniakr@aol.com

    ReplyDelete