What was I thinking?
 

I decided to save money this year and offered to make all of my kids (I have 4) a quilt for Christmas from my stash. Since then, I only have 1 quilt finished with 2 pillows made (which all had to be mailed in order to be there for Christmas), and 12 blocks finished for one of the king size quilts! I am also trying to make a diaper bag (revised the bow tuck bag) for a customer. She wants a bow tuck bag enlarged and add a zipper for a closure. I bought a two-way zipper and am having the hardest time figuring out how to install it! (If anyone has any suggestions I am all ears!) I did look at the tute on this board but it wasn't for a two-way zipper.
Anyway, I don't think I am going to make my deadline for the quilts and just needed to blow off some steam! Thanks for letting me do that!
Oh yea, did I mention I also work 40 hours a week? LOL!
Taking deep breaths!

You meant well when you offered to make each one a quilt. It is easy to get overextended with quilting because we have such great ideas and so many wonderful patterns. But life gets in the way and with your work schedule I know you must get tired. I bet your kids will understand. You are all blessed to have each other. Good luck on the diaper bag and zipper.

Are you sure you didn't tell them that you would make 1 quilt a year and they would each get their turn? I'm sure they will understand why you didn't get them all finished. Good luck on the diaper bag.

Can you make them a cute little quilted gift card holder telling them it's in the works?

You could even make the cards to mach the planned quilts. ;)

Do you mean a zipper with both ends enclosed like on top of a bag? If so, you insert it the same way as any other zipper, only with both ends of the zipper placket closed. To keep the zipper from slipping off on the end that used to come apart, you will need to buy another zipper stop on that end to keep the two sides closed.

The zipper can be opened on either end and does not come apart on either end. I know I need to make an extra piece of fabric for both sides of the zipper and add it to the each top part of the lining, but I don't know how to attach the entire top of the lining with the zipper installed to the top part of the bag? Since the zipper doesn't come apart, it makes it more difficult. I hope you all understand what I am trying to explain. The zipper is a purse zipper.

I just might have to do this! Great idea!
Thanks!

I love this idea! Thanks I might have to do this!

You mentioned making pillows. Can you do a pillow for each of the quilt patterns you plan to do and send those with a note that a quilt will follow?

Great idea! Thanks! You are all so very helpful!

IO You's make great gifts too!

Just give them all a 'rain check' and sail on regardless...no use doing a crummy job for the sake of speed.lol All the best with your attempts for Christmas. Perhaps you could put a picture of the WIP in with their Christmas cards this year.

How about quilt tops gift wrapped...I've done that before and the receivers had a chance to ooh and ahh on two dates!

Oh .. let yourself off the hook! The holidays should not have so much pressure. ... Give the IOU/Gift Card.... and get some peace of mind!

A lovely card with a promise note will do wonders for your relaxation (smile). You could potentially do one a month (or two) and that can easily be completed. They know you love them, just let them know when they can expect (in a more realistic timeframe). Kudos, Mom (smile)

I agree with taking the heat away! They'll be happy whenever their quilts arrive. :)

As to the time issue, don't forget to take projects to work! All of my smaller handwork is packaged together and taken to work so I can make use of my lunch time or other down time. For instance almost all of my bindings are sewn at work so I can concentrate on machine work at home.

Good luck!

Put an I O U in the box for the quilt and do them after Christmas.

Yeah, what WERE you thinking!! OOPS, I mean...WHAT WAS "I" THINKING!!! I've done this so many times with different things. You'd think I'd learn to start earlier and be real. Oh well, at least we're not alone.

Oh, gee, and I thought I was an optimist! Good luck!

Get some really cute boxes (or containers)---perhaps something that can be used---and put in an "IOU" for this year. If you have fabric---I would also include little swatches (unless you think you might change your mind). WA--LA you have still kept your promise AND saved your sanity for better days!

Good luck!

Been there, done that. Made 3 quilts quickly for 3 DGD but had trouble getting the other 2 done for 2 DGS. Took me 3 years to finish the quilts and by then the 2 boy quilts were outgrown. Had to start over and complete 2 quilts. Finally got them all done last year. I'll never do that again!!
Sue

Here is a tutorial showing how to do a zippered top tote: you can adapt the instructions, I hope, to get it done:

http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotes...ebagzipper.htm

I am right there with you. I have 7 grandchildren and a g'grandchild and was making quilts for all of them. I started last February, then had to put that on hold for about 3 months while I helped my son with his wedding. So I got all but one peaced and my g'granddaughters almost completed, just need binding. At Thanksgiving I decided it was a 2 year project not a one year. So you can do the same with your kids.

Boy, you are as busy as me. Where does the time Go?

Or even a pillow case out of the main fabric if you have enough. I sympathize. I was doing my annual "bake-off" last week which is what I do for gifts and telling myself that 'next year' I have to start earlier and make things that will keep until the holidays. I used to do jams and pickles - might have to take that up again.

I've never done a 2 way zipper, but they are installed the same way a 1 way zipper is installed, just with 2 pulls going in opposite directions. I like using coil zippers because they come apart & you can slip the pulls on them after they are sewn into the fabric. If it's too difficult to figure out I suggest getting a coil zipper & make life easier! (I get mine from Seattle Fabrics - but they don't have many colors to choose from)

The tute on the recessed bag is a good one; if the zipper is for the top of the bag, then you'll see that by cutting off some fabric from the top of the bag & sewing the cut off pieces to the zipper, it will eliminate confusion because the zipper didn't come apart. (you then sew the completed zipper piece into the lining & the bag after the zipper is in - easy!) I didn't particularly like all the space at the top of the bag - they used about 4 inches or so, so I just cut off about an inch instead - it turned out really nice without increasing the width of the bag.

I would try this web site...http://www.nancyziemantv.com/sewing-videos....she has done many shows on purse and tote making. She did one series on how to update remade totes and I believe there was one where she installed a purse zipper into a pre-done bag. Also she did three shows on totes similar to the bow tuck and they had zippers. She does not try to encase the zipper in a seam but covers a raw edge seam with ribbon...much easier.

I got overly ambitious and made 6 quilts - 3 for Christmas and 3 for Chanukah. Two of them I hand quilted. All was well until the time came to bind them and now I may have to stay up very late tonight to finish. Tomorrow is my last day at work and I leave for Israel Thursday!!! I will be sewing on binding on the plane if I can get the needle through security!

Oh my, wish I could help you out but Maine is a bit far away. You will finish everything as you can. The kids will be happy knowing something is coming their way.

Just last night I made a vow to myself that I am not making quilts as Christmas or Birthday presents any more. Too much pressure especially when they have to be posted interstate.

I'm the world's worst at over-extending myself esp. at this holiday time. I feel your pain.

Did you specify which year for Christmas? Give them a rain check and relax.

You know, they are your kids and they know how much work goes into each quilt. Don't worry about it because it is coming from you and from your heart, they know how special it will be! I know exactly how you feel about time, I need time management classes, but not sure how I would find the time to do them, lol. Have a Merry Christmas and don't let the stress get to you!!!

As for the zipper...I um...well, don't do zippers, sorry!! Good luck!!

When I foolishly promise a quilt to someone for whatever holiday or birthday and I don't quite have it done, I draw a picture of the quilt I am envisioning for them and send them that. Later when I get it done-finally-I send them the quilt.

Try ironing the flaps down before stitching , and stitch it in by hand first to make sure you have it wright, then sew by machine .just make sure your zipper is open, Dottie Bug

Thank you so much for the instructions! I think I can do this that way!

Great, post a picture when you finish it! Thanks.

Does anyone have a quick and easy way to put a recessed zipper into the top of a tote bag> Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.

Did the same thing with a graduation gift for a friends son. I just finished it. But he was very nice about waiting. He appreciates that I made it extra large for him, he's 6'4" tall and wide in the shoulders. I just showed him what I had finished on the day of graduation. Another time I gave the fabrics as a gift to my brother for one Christmas and finished it as a gift the next Christmas. Don't stress yourself "be creative" in how you gift the quilts. There have been several good suggestions here.