Swaps In Work

I mentioned as part of my goals for this month that I’m working on projects for two different swaps — the Schnitzel & Boo mini quilt swap and an Instagram Tote Swap. The shipping dates for both are mid-to-late January so my plan all along has been to get started in December and avoid any last minute panic-induced sewing…and the associated screw ups that inevitably go along with that.

I came up with the pattern above for my mini quilt a couple weeks ago. It’s a modification of a pattern I love from Elizabeth Hartman’s Modern Patchwork book. My swap partner posted an inspiration mosaic that featured several geometric quilts so I hope this will fit her style. The colors above are only for mockup purposes. In reality I’ll be using a few fabrics from Violet Craft’s Brambleberry Ridge collection that I ordered earlier this week, and maybe a solid or two. I hope it turns out as well as I’m imagining it in my head!

For the tote swap, I decided to buy the pattern for the Evelyn bag by Chris W and make that. After browsing through my partner’s Instagram feed — which was a bit intimidating because she seems to be quite adept at bag-making herself! — I got the feeling she appreciates more structured bags as opposed to something shapeless, so I hope this one fits the bill. I ordered fabric from Acacia by Tula Pink and picked up a few bits of hardware that I didn’t already have from Joann’s. I cut out all the pieces over the weekend. (Interfacing, lining, exterior, straps…bags have so many pieces to cut!)

Before the holidays, I’m hoping to get all the fabric cut for the mini quilt and to put together at least half of the bag. That should leave me in great shape come the beginning of January!