How To: Five Easy Steps to Sewing with Patterns By Annie

If you are new to sewing a bag, tote, or organizer

getting started may seem a bit daunting.

Most of the patterns do not include actual pattern pieces.

That's because the components are pretty much rectangles

or squares with rounded corners.

So the getting started instructions may seem extensive and intimidating.

If you look at the By Annie patterns with the following five steps in mind,

the process will come together much easier:

                                                                    1.  Gather

                                                                    2.  Quilt

                                                                    3.  Cut

                                                                    4.  Construct

                                                                    5.  Assemble

1.  Gather all your supplies as indicated on the back of the pattern and read through all the instructions before you start cutting.  Each pattern includes a back page that lists all the supplies you will need.

2.  Quilt your main fabric, Soft and Stable, and lining.  If you do this on your domestic machine, follow the cutting instructions before layering your fabrics and Soft and Stable for quilting.
If you are quilting your layers on a longarm machine, then do not cut the main fabric, Soft and Stable, and lining until after the quilting is completed.  **Instructions for each method are in the pattern**

3.  Cut all your pieces (including your quilted fabrics) as instructed.

4.  Construct all the components for your project.

5.  Assemble your components as instructed.

I have sewn a number of patterns By Annie and all of them have followed these five steps.  When I break down the process by thinking of it in five steps, the project seems less overwhelming.  I like to set my goals according to these steps.  For instance:  Day 1 Gather: Day 2 Quilt: Day 3 Cut: Day 4 (and maybe day 5 if there are lots of components) Construct; and Day 5 (and/or 6) Assemble.

So if you've had your eye on one of those great patterns By Annie (or if you already have one), but have been a bit intimidated at the process, I hope this gives you the confidence to get started on your own bag, tote, or organizer.

I'll be back in a few days with my completed Running with Scissors organizer.

Have a terrific weekend.

A Natural Pair - Pastel Pink Snapdragon/Pale Pink

Happy Thursday, sewers!

Today's blog post is brought to you by the

By Annie handbag zipper color:  Pale Pink.

I've paired it with a lovely pastel pink snapdragon.

I'm a pink kind of girl - any shade, any tone, I love pink!

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are a tender perennial that are

available in a variety of shades and colors.

They are also available in varying heights,

so shop around for the best match for your location.

They prefer cool, damp weather for the best blooms.

Mine re-appear in full beautiful color every spring here in Utah.

I do still have snapdragons blooming in the almost 100 degree heat of July,

but they are the most robust in spring and fall.

As you can see from the seed packet pictured below,

there are two different pink snapdragons.

One is a bolder, deeper pink color than the other.

The By Annie handbag zipper in pale pink matches up nicely with the lighter, pastel pink snapdragon.

Thank you so much for reading my blog.

Have a terrific afternoon and remember to stop and admire the flowers:

 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."  (Luke 12:27, New International Version)

Next week's zipper color is Ivory.

A Natural Pair - Orange Marigold/Papaya

Happy Thursday, sewers!

This week's colors are orange marigolds and the Papaya zipper.

Yes, the name does match the zipper color,

but there might be some who have never seen a Papaya.

So I'm sharing this photo to give you a frame of reference for the color of the

By Annie Papaya handbag zipper.

Marigolds (botanical name is Tagetes) are sold in several different colors.

The most common colors are yellow and orange.

They are part of the sunflower family.

Here in the high desert area of the United States,

marigolds are easy to grow.

They just need some regular watering and a good amount of sunlight.

I use them to outline my vegetable beds because they are pretty and they also attract

nasty little pests (slugs) who choose to feast on the marigolds instead of my vegetables.

The focus of next week's zipper color is pale pink.

I will also have a completed project from one of By Annie's newest patterns to share with you.

Happy gardening and sewing, my friends!

A Natural Pair - Stock/Wild Plum

Photo has not been altered.  Picture was taken at Noon on a bright, sunny day.

Hello Sewists!

I'm starting a weekly blog post aimed at giving you a better idea

of what color the By Annie handbag zippers are in real life.

I know it is difficult to be certain of what color to order when you can't

see the zipper in person.

Since God placed a plethora of color in nature,

I will be using natural items to pair with a matching zipper.

First up, we have the Stock plant and the Wild Plum zipper.

Stock (botanical name is Matthiola incana)

flowers have a lovely clove-like fragrance.

Stock is available in a variety of colors.

This one is more pink than purple.

For a good comparison of the pinks and purples,

take a look at this photo from Burpee seeds:

Next week's featured zipper color is Papaya.

If you have a zipper color purchase that you are pondering,

and you would like a better idea of the true color,

post a comment below and I will hunt down something in nature

with which to pair the zipper.

Happy sewing, my friends!