Monday, March 10, 2008

Hawaiian Batik Bag

This is my very huge quilted bag I take to classes with me. It's 28 inches wide--big enough to carry my two 24 X 36 cutting mats, plus various sizes of rulers and tools that I may need--and has straps long enough so that it sits on my shoulder nicely. It has two side pockets for narrower rulers and cutting tools. In addition to classes, I usually take this bag to my trunk shows. I can stuff several quilts in this bag. (I used to show up at trunk shows with all my quilts in pillowcases; it was getting embarrassing.)

I winged the pattern according to the size of my cutting mats and rulers. The nine blocks are the "Kaleidoscope"pattern. I used stash fabrics and thrifted shirts, and whatever was on hand.
I had fun with the quilting, can you tell? As if it wasn't busy enough with ginghams, batiks and Hawaiian prints. You can click to enlarge any of these, by the way. Just guard your eyes, okay?


The reverse:


I haven't made many Hawaiian-type quilt blocks, but this is one of them. Hand appliqued, and I hand quilted it in the traditional fashion before I put the bag together:

I've heard that the Hawaiian quilting designs are supposed to look like you dropped the (appliqued) object in water and the quilting should appear to emanate outward from it, like ripples in a pond. It's a very peaceful idea, which is in complete contrast to the wild reverse.
In other news, the meeting with the accountant is over and I survived. More on that tomorrow. Thanks for your good wishes; a hug and a virtual slice of Hula Pie to everyone who wished me well!

27 comments:

Tine said...

This bag is amazingly beautiful! LOL, can imagine you must have surprised quite a few people, when you pulled those gorgeous quilts of yours out of pillowcases :-D

ladydi said...

I LOVE your bag, and it is such fun to check your blog every day! Glad the tax meeting went ok and is over. I wonder if Dairy Queen could add Hula Pie to their menu. . .

The Naturalist's Daughter said...

Your bag is amazing, I just love it! Fantastic colours and patterns. The appliqué is stunning.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lisa, Your bag is wonderful! So bright and happy as it can be! Easter crafts now started. Guess what my students could tell me about Easter! Eggs, chocolate eggs! :-)

Busy Little Quilter said...

I love the bag!

Libby said...

What beautiful bag . . . I bet you are the hit of the classroom whenever you arrive *s*

Rhonda said...

Ohh...I love the Kaleidoscope pattern! I made a blue kaleidoscope quilt for my niece a couple of years ago. Fun blocks to do!

Love your bag! The Hawaiian block is wonderful too! Doesn't it feel great to get that tax stuff over with?!

Mom IsAmagpie said...

That bag is gorgeous! That applique is gorgeous, I love the idea of the water rippling out. I'm glad your taxes are over, and you can start collecting this years right offs again soon. lol

Stacy A. said...

That is one huge bag...and so colorful. That hula pie looks to die for. Maybe almost worth a trip to Hawaii just for that. I cant wait to get up every day and see whats going on in Lisa land. You really are one special lady!

Sally said...

What a great bag. I'm thinking it's a great way to use up stray blocks as well. Hmmmm...now it's got me thinking...

Glad the accountant meeting is over. Sigh of relief!

Vera said...

I love your new bag. What a fun bag.

BusybeeDebQuilts said...

Beautiful bag, Lisa! I love the colors. I think you sould make it into a pattern!

Debbie

Unknown said...

Oh beautiful! My guild just had a lady who talked about miniature quilts. I may have to try a miniature Hawaiian Quilt. I love those batiks.

Hugs,
Melinda

Dawn said...

So glad to hear that your meeting went well....phew!

And your bag is *G*O*R*G*E*O*U*S* !! I gasped in awe----wow! so beautiful! It looks like you took all of the vivid colors of Hawaii and incorporated them into the perfect tote.

Natalie Rush said...

That is beautiful!!!

qusic said...

Glad you survived your yarn plea!
I love both sides of your class bag and should make me one too.I adore Hawaaian applique and have made some wall hangings, three of them are made with QuiltSmart for easy peasy applique and more time for handquilting the water ripples.
p.s. hula pie looks very yummy, 100000 calories at least, hip gold for sure. LLAP

Anonymous said...

Lisa, it's beautiful. How amazing to see straight lines forming a circle. Love the pattern & colours.

Opal said...

I am *so* in love with your bag!

Cathie said...

Wow!! What a gorgeous bag! And yes, you did have fun with the quilting--I had fun just looking at it!

*adds new project to the list* I always did need a bag big enough for drawing boards, paper, and cutting mats! Hmmm, maybe that can be a strip-pieced project.

*happy grin* Once again, you are my inspiration!

Cath

Kristin said...

Gorgeous tote indeed!! and thanks for the virtual hula pie. Less calories that way . . can be burned off with a virtual workout!

The Calico Quilter said...

Man, can this girl hand quilt! I love the applique on the bag and your handwork is outstanding. Nothing dorky here, honey.

~Joan said...

That's it--I now think of you as the official bag lady of blogland. I made myself a tote recently. The fabric is very busy (maybe I'll show it on my blog soon), so I just meander quilted it with matching (how novel) variegated thread. I carry my flute, music books and flute stand in it. Great to be able to make it the exact size wanted, eh?

Are batiks any harder to sew than regular 100% cotton fabrics? I love their look, but they feel so stiff on the bolt. Can you hand quilt them easily?

Have a great night!

Salem Stitcher said...

Love the bag! Love the swirly quilty things! It was definitely worth the wait.

susan said...

love the bag lisa...gee...wish i was more original but it is pretty neat!

cinnamongirl93 said...

That is one big bag. I bet it really comes in handy for classes. Or how about fabric shopping?! LOL! I love the blocks on the front. Also the back is really cool. The fabric choice is perfect!
BTW sometimes I can't post a comment on your blog? It may take 4or more times? Not sure why.

hetty said...

I love your bag! The Hawaiian applique is fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Love. This. Bag!