Nifty: Zig Zag with Vintage Bark Cloth Border

Amazing what Nifty can create from her stash!  Lots of thrift market fabrics here.

Mary: Batik Star

Nifty: Hour Glass Quilt

This is quilt that gave me the idea for the scrap strips in Braided Scraps above.  Nifty got her idea from book by Roderick Kiracofe.  Now to think up more patterns for using these scrappy strips.

Buffy: Braided Scraps

Scraps sorted by value:  light & dark.  A few mediums spice the mix.  Note:  coping borders. The strips hung too long on the design wall and stretched on their bias edges.

Cindy: Another African Challenge Quilt

Accents fused or appliqued.

Cindy: Rebels African Challenge

Made from African fabric scraps and left overs.

Cindy: Camp Erin Quilt

Fun pattern for charity quilt.  All fabrics from her stash.

Patty: Scrappy String Blocks

Patty: Rebels African Challenge

Patty put this together with left-overs.

Sue: A Boxer Named Shelby

Inspiration Is Where You Find It!

Inspiration is where you find it! Lisa inspired me big time! 

When I saw her pieced tote bag of recycled plastic I had to try my hand at this alchemy. Lisa's pieced version is spectacular. Once I found this giant sunflower graphic, I was reluctant to slice it up. It took two hours to transform the 50 lb. seed bag into a usable tote. I added an outside pocket on the back side of the bag for grocery lists, etc.

My trusty Singer Featherweight sewed through all the layers without too much difficulty. For hard use I would probably use sturdier handles like Lisa used, but I was anxious to finish it and take it to guild where I was doing a program on "repurposed " items from thrift stores. Most everything else I showed was quilt-related, but this tote was a big hit. Thanks, Lisa!

Here are a few "how to" ideas: Thanks for your positive responses. Yes, I have used it as a quilt tote. I easily put two large wallhangings in the bag without crushing them. No tutorial, but some basic instructions. To start, decide which part of the graphic you want to feature. Use your paper-dedicated rotary cutter to avoid dulling your best blade. Because I prefer bags that stand alone I started on the bottom of the bag. By tucking in the sides (like wrapping the end of a package), I made a flat bottom. I did have to sew these two spots by hand using heavy carpet thread. The rest was done by machine. I tucked the bag down to get the height I wanted, trimmed and sewed a double seam around the top. Handles: use your judgment. For light use, the trimmings from the bag worked on this tote. For heavier use, the purchased (or recycled) strapping like Lisa used makes sense. Please post any pictures of your bags. I'd enjoy seeing the chicken feed totes when completed.