Sunday, February 9, 2014

Box Pouch: Riley Blake Fabric Challenge Complete!

Done! #wnymqg #mqgrileyblakechallenge
I was having a really hard time deciding what to do about the MQG's Riley Blake Fabric Challenge.  As President of my Guild I was determined to take on the challenge...but what to make had become my biggest problem...  Then I woke up yesterday morning and decided I've always wanted to make a Box Pouch so why not use this challenge to try it out?  I know...you might be wondering why would I decide to do something I've never done before for a challenge...I'm crazy like that...basically I have to make the challenge even more challenging to get me motivated to do it...does that make sense?  (Remember this triple zip pouch...when I decided to try sewing a herringbone design for the first time ever because doing a triple zip pouch wasn't challenging enough?  Like I said, crazy...)

As promised Susan ;) - I used this tutorial to make a lined Box Pouch.  However, I did not use interfacing and instead quilted the exterior panels.  I prefer the texture of the straight line quilting and the squishy way the box feels as a result.  Also, I changed the size of my tab and chose to only put one in.
Riley Blake Challenge Box Pouch Top View
Riley Blake Detail
Selvadge Corner
LiningBox Pouch ButtRiley Blake Challenge Box PouchTop Zip
I began by making the exterior panels first: I pieced the fabrics to the correct size, quilted, and made a last minute design choice to QAYG the selvage onto the panel <-- what a happy accident looking back as I think it adds a critical detail to an otherwise normal box pouch!  

Embarrassing Full Disclosure: Having never made this pattern before I had envisioned my piecing design as vertical rather than horizontal...after attaching the zipper I realized it was going to be horizontal.  Palm to forehead!  I worried that the "Riley Blake" text and those cute little owls on the selvage would be lost when I made my box corners.  But, at that point I had committed too much time to start over or abandon the project and decided to keep going and see what happened...  (I even CUT my corners while the pouch was inside out without checking to see whether the selvage had been butchered, I was that committed to leaving it up to fate at that point in the process.  That is the attitude one has with three babes under 5 yrs and therefore limited time to sew - sometimes you just have to go with it!)  How ecstatic was I to turn out the pouch and discover the selvage perfectly seated at the edge of the box!!! Admitted Total Fluke!  

I highly recommend that you make a box pouch if you haven't - it was very fun and simple to do.  I completed it in a handful of hours with multiple Mommy interruptions.  In fact I plan on making another one soon...but I know I will never recreate such a happy design accident as this one!  I am so glad I did this challenge as it made me think outside the box (haha) and more importantly it caused me to laugh at myself during the process...  Sometimes I need to remember to take my making a little less seriously and just have fun.  Thanks Riley Blake and MQG - this turned out to be sewing time well spent!

- rebecca lynne


13 comments:

memmens said...

Brilliant - love the disclosure, best fluke ever!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Brilliant Rebecca! Love the fluke and your get it done attitude!

Beth said...

Love it! I never can visualize how a three deminsional project will turn. Great finish! The quilty gods were smiling on you!

Leanne said...

Wonderful idea, and I love how the details worked out.

Mary W Quilts said...

I love a good fluke! And the box. Thanks for sharing.

Leigh Anne said...

Fabulous! Only two children here and I still go with it more often than not LOL

Jeneta said...

I LOVE it! Box pouches are popular in our house at the moment - great idea to use the selvedge. Might have to borrow that idea!

suemac said...

Nice job. Box pouches and zipper pouches are both so much fun to make.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

It's fabulous! I'm stunned that you got such perfect name placement with a fluke, though! If I did that I'd end up with just the 'R' poking out of the corner! You must have done something to please the quilting fairy 'cos she was definitely on your side!!

Donna said...

Beautifully done. Don't you just love when things turn out like this, as if by magic? Time for the happy dance!

Lisa said...

Well how lovely, I need one too! Very beautiful photography! Hope middle child is feeling much better!

Jessica said...

That's a great pouch, have seen that pattern pop up a few times in the last week or two, I think I'll have to make one.

Don't you love a good fabric fluke, couldn't do it if you tried but it somehow just works out.

hydeeannsews said...

it looks great and I LOVE your serendipitous fluke. you couldn't have planned that any better if you tried.

ps - how are you finding straight line quilting on your juki? I am having woes. it seems I finally discovered her weak spot. =( I'm looking for advice on how to do better!