Falling for zippered pouches

Falling into a new season is the theme for this blog hop. Thank you to Joan for organizing another wonderful blog hop. Can’t we just smell the pumpkin spice by the end of summer!?

While I do love all things fall, it’s bittersweet saying goodbye to a summer that flew by too quickly. I rarely have time for a full quilt, but pouches I can do.

In the mood for a fall colored pouch, I went searching for some dresden information. I learned that it’s possible to make your own template by downloading this free page of 3 dresden patterns. (I chose the middle one with a 20-wedge dresden and made a sturdy 4″ template, then cut my wedge pieces from scrap fabrics.) Here’s another link for the dresden middle circle template. These links plus scrap fabric and you’ve got yourself set!

The middle dresden template required 20 wedges for a full round dresden. For a half dresden, I went with 11 wedges to allow for excess. Check out the link above to get a copy of this free page for yourself.

I looked for fall colors among my scraps and this is the result.

My half-dresden fall pouch from the front side.

• 

This is what the pouch looks like from the top edge.

The back of the dresden pouch. You really can’t tell the difference between the front and the back, can you?

Dresden’s are fun and I plan to make a few others. Meanwhile, in an effort to use up lots of scraps and try out ideas, here are some other scrappy pouches. Each side of the pouch measured 7 3/4″ x 10.5″ before sewn together. I boxed the corners at 2″ to make the bags have a little more shape. Each one is different and will hopefully have a little note card inserted before being donated to the charity mentioned below.

I used up scraps trying out some symmetrical and random designs. I love these fall colors but I have other colored scraps calling me as well. I like these other pouches too, even if they aren’t fall colored. I believe a variety of colors allows for more people to find their favorites. These are all eventually going to The Center for Family Services, a shelter in New Jersey for moms and newborn babies. It’s the same organization where I mailed bibs recently. I made these as a holiday gift for each of the mom’s. I know there are several months until December, but I want to take my time and play with ideas without a rush. I’ll add a few extra pouches for the staff to keep as well. It’s fun to give to others and everyone needs a lift these days.

I mentioned that it’s bittersweet saying goodbye to summer. Here are the remnants of our garden. The cucumbers and tomatoes were wildly successful. Herbs were off the charts with growth but the peppers dragged and the zucchini never took off.

• 

• 

• 

The garden plot set up by my boys as a Mother’s Day gift. The fence was intended to keep out little animals and it worked well. Next year we will add a drop more soil and rotate the plants. I just picked more cucumbers and tomatoes but it’s time to admit that the herbs need picking and storing for winter. It was a good run and we will gladly build another garden next year.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my projects. Please visit the other bloggers for their creative talents and inspiration.

Monday September 20

Creatin’ in the Sticks

Samelias Mum

Quilting Gail

Vroomans Quilts

Quilt Schmilt

Tuesday September 21

Just Let Me Quilt

Just Sew Quilter

Days filled with Joy

Kathy’s Kwilts and More

The Morning Latte

Wednesday September 22

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Beaquilter

Inflorescence

Selina Quilts

Sew Many Yarns

 Thursday September 23

Karrins Crazy World

Words and Stitches

Patchouli Moon Studio

Karen’s Korner

That Fabric Feeling YOU ARE HERE!!

Scrapdash

 Friday September 24

QuiltFabrication

Ms P Designs USA

Lianne Makes Stuff

Quilted Delights

MooseStashQuilting

Linking up to: Oh Scrap, Midweek Makers, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Peacock Party, Finished or not Friday, Brag About Your Goodies, Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday, My Quilt Infatuation: Needle & Thread Thursday.