by Annie Challenge

The Island Batik Ambassadors’ September challenge was to make a ByAnnie bag of our choice. We also got to choose our fabrics which was great. I picked Back At Ya 2.1 for my project. I thought the bag would be perfect for quilt shows. It would allow me to keep my hands free for shopping while providing me a bag for thread and fabric. I can’t wait to use it! The fabrics I chose were from the collection Moonlight Sky: Collage Seedling for the main part of my bag and Square Marbles for the trim. For the lining, I chose Foulard-Apple from the Blender fabrics. I love that green!

The ByAnnie patterns are clear, step by step instructions. ByAnnie also provides video instructions that you may access when you purchase the pattern. The videos really help if you’re a visual learner like me. No matter how many times I read instructions, I seem to come up with a new way of doing things which sometimes works and sometimes not so much!

I first quilted my fabrics using Soft and Stable for the batting and Aurifil 50 weight #1231. Next I cut out all the pieces. ByAnnie patterns include labels for all your pieces to help you stay organized as you assemble. I highly recommend you use these.

Lots of steps, but very doable, and such a feeling of accomplishment when it all comes together!

I love using these Wonder Clips rather than trying to pin all those layers.

The Back At Ya 2.1 bag has an outside zipper pocket, pockets for your credit cards that has a magnetic closure, an inside mesh pocket, and cloth pockets. Plenty of places for your phone, your credit cards, wallet, and, of course, all your purchases of thread, fabric, needles, patterns, etc.

I hope you’ll try some of the By Annie bags. Be sure to check out all the great bags the other Island Batik Ambassadors made this month – there are some beautiful bags!

The products I needed to make by bag were generously supplied to me from Island Batik, ByAnnie, Schmetz, and Aurifil. Thank you.