sewing gift bags

I'm finally feeling better - good enough to spend some time at the sewing machine even. On Saturday I sewed up four gift bags (I use the pillowcase method to turn these inside out - that finishes the edges off nicely). I almost finished this red heart one today. The only thing I haven't done yet is added the velcro to close the flap. That chore is much easier now that I've learned I can glue the velcro on rather than sewing it.

This is what the red heart bag looked like after I got all the quilting done on it today:

I hand stitched it up the sides to get the proper shape and added a decorative button:

This is a detail of the quilting. I did my usual fans with red perle cotton. I was afraid it was going to look too busy, but I think it turned out fine. This fabric is certainly busy enough all on its lonesome - there's a reason I never got it worked into a quilt. It kept screaming "me, me, me" which isn't desirable when the fabrics are supposed to be playing well with one another.

Yes, I did just spend the last day and a half quilting this (maybe 10 hours?) . I know it's a time waster, but I soooo love the finished product. I love how the bags feel, love it even better when there's a present in them. I started making these because my husband HATES wrapping presents. The first bags I made (years ago) were just fabric - didn't even put drawstrings in them - they had to be tied with ribbons. I used fabric I didn't like any more, and sometimes even hated, and was then surprised when I wasn't happy with the finished product.

These quilty ones are much better. I use up odd-shaped bits of batting, which helps pad things out so you can't tell so easily what's in the bag. I have to get cracking sewing more cuz if my hubby runs out of them I don't get any more presents. Tho maybe if I make an endless supply of gift bags there will be an endless supply of prezzies - mwa ha ha ha ha.

I have of course created a HUGE mess in my sewing room (aka the dining room, which is part of the living room - I have a very tolerant hubby) with stacks of fabric and lots of batting piled up. Here's my baby Pokey enjoying the mess.