Bree Blog Hop: Day 2

Welcome to our Bree blog hop! We're excited to show you what four different designers have created with the Nancy Halvorsen's gorgeous new fabric collection! If you missed our introduction to Bree, find it here.

Here's Stephanie:

Nancy Halvorsen has been one of my favorite fabric designers for a very long time! I’ve made several projects using her amazing fabrics and proudly display them in my home. I even have a Nancy UFO (un-finished object) … a king sized quilt for my bed completely made from fabrics that she designed! I really need to get that finished, but back to the subject at hand … BREE!

This is such a bright and fun collection – it just makes me smile. We are in the process of revamping our laundry room, and while cleaning it out I found my “Bags of Bags” … oh so many plastic grocery store bags. These “Grocery Bag Holders” will be a great solution to that problem! I love projects that are pretty and functional.

Here is your supply list (this will make 3 bags):

(5) coordinating FQs (I went with Grey, Aqua, Blue and Orange)

(3) 7” pieces of ¼” elastic

Coordinating thread for top-stitching

Cutting Instructions:

From each of (3) FQs cut: (1) 8-1/2” X 18” strip, (2) 3-1/2” X 18” strips and (2) 2-1/2” X 18-1/2” strips

From each of (2) FQs cut: (6) 2” X 18” strips and (2) 2-1/2” X 7” strips

Step 1:

Arrange your 18” strips, then sew together. I like to flip my stitching direction on each strip when I sew longish strips together, it helps to keep the whole project square. Press all the seam allowances in one direction, then square up to 17” X 24-1/2”.

Step 2:

Fold top edge down ¼” and press, then fold again to create a clean edge on the top. Top-stitch 1/8” from top edge.

Step 3:

Fold rectangle in half, lining up seams and pin. You are going to stop sewing 1” from the bottom edge, so I mark this with a different pin. Sew – making sure to back stitch at the beginning and end. Press the seam allowance open, and don’t worry too much if your seams don’t line up perfectly – this will be the back!

Step 4:

Fold bottom edge in ½” and press, then fold and press again. Top-stitch 1/8” from edge all the way around (backstitch at beginning and end) to create casing for elastic. Run elastic through the casing (I like to use a safety pin). Tip: pin loose end of elastic to project so you don’t pull it through and have to start over! Sew ends of elastic together, then tuck ends into the casing.

Step 5:

Fold your 2-1/2” X 7” strip in half and press to mark center. Fold the sides into the center and press, then fold the whole strip in half and press – it should be about 5/8” wide by 7” long. Topstitch close to both edges. Fold in half to find center, then flip one end down at a 45-degree angle – repeat on other side and press. Sew to tack down. Line up inside of center back seam and pin in place – then sew down (Don’t forget to backstitch!)

Finished bag:

Thanks, Stephanie! 

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of select Bree fabrics, leave a comment below letting us know what colors you'd choose from the Bree collection to make these bags. Giveaway is open through Saturday, August 12th at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Make sure to follow along on all four days of our Bree hop!

Tuesday: Alison from Little Bunny Quilts

Wednesday: Stephanie from Stitched Together Studios

Thursday: Kristen from KD Quilts

Friday: Benartex blog design team