Gifts for Safelight

I was just finishing a project this past week when a little squirrel jumped out at me. It was the perfect time. I'm not even sure you can call this a squirrel because I wasn't interrupting anything to chase it. But it became an obsession, so yes, a squirrel. I was reading Needle and Foot and saw the cute cosmetic bag and sunglass case that Bernie made for a collection that Carole from My Carolina Home is gathering for Safelight, a residential shelter for victims of domestic violence. 

I don't often make bags. I like the idea of making them, but they tend to be too fiddly for me. But when I saw the pattern for these, I knew I could make them. They are so simple, but so CUTE! 

I knew almost immediately that I wanted to make a set from a Wonderlust fabric (Tapestry in Multi Olive by Paula Nadelstern) I had won a few weeks ago through a giveaway by Sandra of mmm! quilts. I chose a solid black for the linings.These went together very quickly. I spent the most time figuring out how to center the fabrics so there would be symmetry in each piece. I'm thrilled with how they turned out. 

I had so much fun, I just had to make another set. I dithered awhile over what fabric to use but kept coming back to a leftover piece of my favorite Amy Butler fabric (Lark Dreamer Heirloom Blue Sky--that's a mouthful). I had used it to make a phone case, a wallet and a few other items a few years ago. 

There was just enough. I paired it with a light green Hoffman Internationals print from way back in my past.

I used a scrap of Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 batting for all of the bags and quilted them with random threads and my walking foot, just eyeballing along lines in the prints. Lately, I've been trying more to do straight lines this way. I try to focus my eyes about 2 inches ahead of my needle. I'm starting to feel comfortable with it, and a tiny project like this is just right for practice. 

I'm not great at sharp corners when I make bags, but I have decided that if I can't make them sharp, it's good enough if they all look pretty much like each other. I did lock stitches to make sure they were sturdy. 

I like these so much, I may need to make some for myself! If you would like a fun, quick project that might bring a spark of joy to someone going through a rough time, I highly  recommend this one for Carole. Check out her site to see how she's using these to fill gift bags and to see some other options you might like for helping with her project. If you look around, you'll find her pattern as well as photos of the contents of the gifts and some of the bags other people have made. 

I'm linking up this week with Sew Fresh Quilts for Let's Bee Social and crazy mom quilts for Finish It Up Friday. And on the 28th, I'll link up with mmm! quilts for Sandra's DrEAMi linky party. 

So whether you're a bag maker or not, I hope your quilty week is going great. 

(I'm not affiliated with any company, so when I mention products or services, I'm just documenting what I used or liked.)