Retreat items
 

OK, I know I went overboard...
I'm going on my first official quilt retreat later this month. I'm a little apprehensive because I'm a very messy crafter. I tend to have parts of my projects spread all over everywhere. I decided to make some items to keep me a little better organized. I started by making a straddle bag. Sort of a saddle bag that would go over your chair. Could not find a pattern so just made one up by laying the items I wanted to store on a length of fabric, then making pouches to match.
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I usually carry a 'wallet on a rope' type purse, so I made one which fits in one of the pockets of the straddle bag.
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Then came the free craftsy weekend. I watched all the travel bag tutorials and was inspired. One said rather than cutting the pieces & quilting them to just quilt a length of fabric, then make a bunch of stuff. So I did.

Luggage Rider Carry-on bag (resized to hold all the flat things I want to bring)
https://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponli...y.asp?i=196472
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Duffle bag (based on the free pattern, resized to contain the same volume as my old weekender bag)
http://www.robertkaufman.com/quiltin.../cargo_duffle/
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Then I wanted to make some project bags. Looked for a free pattern and found this on pinterest. When I visited the page I found the pouch was only 4X5. I have zippers by the yard and thought I could strip piece them. Of course I couldn't actually find my roll of zipper tape, so I had to make them individually. I'm thinking bobbins, extra needles, feet etc.
http://www.simplynotable.com/2016/mini-notions-bag/

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Used the rough proportions from the minis to make project bags. Here are 2 of the 4 I made (around 10X12 finished). Experimented with vinyl and a couple different meshes for window.
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With the scraps I made a bunch of pouches, a couple cosmetic bag types, a boxy one and
Suzy's Sack (made with scraps so not exactly the pattern size)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/5020972...ttern-download
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And finally, I've been looking at the 5 pocket pouch tutorial for quite a while.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1u5SURdxpg&t=1003s
Love all Gina's tutorials. Unique projects. this one was A bit involved, but I love the result. I used a separating zipper and made channels in one of the pockets so some of my tools can stand upright for easy access.
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I had fun!!!

wow, all very nice

Wow you are very prepared! Great idea's!!!

You are talented, organized, thoughtful, efficient, and productive!! Wow. You are set to go!

I can tell that you can't wait to be there! You're all set and with style!
great work!

WOW! talk about well coordinated and organized!

Creative and very attractive. Don't worry about taking up too much space. The retreats I've been to, each sewer is restricted to a designated amount of space in the room where you sew, and in the room you will share for sleeping. If your spread is bothering anyone, they will let you know to draw in your boundaries.

Very fun! Thanks for sharing the links!!! Enjoy your retreat.

you have been busy,lots of cool items

Looks like you are really going to be prepared. Nice array of retreat items.

Such professional results. Great job on every item.

Very nice projects and you sure are creative. I feel you will be more than organized and probably stay in your area.

Awesome practical set up bags. Great job!

You’re going to be the best organized quilter there

OMGoodness!, Seriously? These are all amazing. You are crazy, girl! This is all so fantastic. Absolutely love the chair saddlebag. Ingenious. You need to copyright that thing. I am blown away By your creativity and talent. You'll be spending your whole retreat showing all everyone your stuff because they will not be able to help themselves by asking you about them.

What wonderful projects! You're going to be so organized. Have a great time.

I end up with stuff all over too!

All of your items you made are just so nice. Yes, at your retreat they will be asking you about all of your beauties. Have fun!

You are so talented! Absolutely great accessories

I really like your straddle project, I really think I could use something that for UFO and sewing days.

You certainly have thought of everything...I hope you enjoy your first retreat experience.

Messy no more...you sure did have fun making all your organizers.

Have fun on your retreat and let us know how you enjoyed it!

Really liked that saddlebag idea! Now to remember which of those bags you put something in!!

LOL - I know that if I had all of these lovely organizers I would forget what I put where and would end up putting labels on each one. Your bags are beautiful and really well made - have fun at your retreat and let us know about your experience.

fantastic items! bet almost everyone will be asking about them! i sure would be.

remember to label your individual items such as your rulers and seam rippers.

What fun, great organizers. Remember to take some information on your projects, everyone is going to want some of those too. HOORAY for you. You're ready to roll and I bet you have a blast. Don't forget to take an extra cushion to sit on. All day, sewing and funning will be a test for your tush.

I am beyond impressed!! Wow! Hope you have a great retreat. Thanks for posting all the info!!!!!!!!

Aren't you clever! All of your projects are so cute and well thought out. Enjoy your creativity-great job. I think I like the chair saddle bag idea the most.

Brilliant ideas. The one to fit over the chair is the best of all!

Looks like you are good to go! Great job!

OMG... you will be the star of the retreat. Those are all amazing. We also bring a small folding table to make our space L shaped. Bought mine at Target and ordered a bigger one from Costco. If you have any scraps, make some small velcro wraps for your cords.
I am so jealous.

Wow! You have some amazing stuff there!.... Great job, very impressive.... I too am taken with the saddle bag. What a great idea.... Enjoy your retreat and your new items!

You are amazing. I would be worn out after all that!

That is awesome!! Great job!!

Truly amazing. You are so organized. You did a wonderful job on everything and what is more amazing is that you didn't even have any patterns for most of the projects. I envy your capabilities.

I have been to many retreats and I have never been that organized. I usually just throw everything in a couple of medium sized plastic totes (easier to carry and not too heavy). Fabric in one, tools in another, etc.

If I am too organized, I either can't remember where I put it or I find it diminishes my creativity. But then I am a messy thinker and when I was a secretary my desk was the messiest one around. One day my boss made me put everything on my desk away, only to leave the phone, the desk lamp and message pad and the only one file or project that I was working on at a time. After a few weeks of this miserable organization, my boss realized that my productivity had been cut down by half. She gave up and let me get back to the way that I was the most productive. Some people, like me, just embrace disorganization. LOL

I hope you have lots of fun on your retreat. Oh, and don't forget to bring earplugs, just in case you are sleeping with others in the same room.

Very nice! Love it that you used the same fabric! Love the saddle bag seat! Great ideas!

I should be so organized.

Just thought of something else you may want to add to your ensemble .... pillow(s)

Why? you may ask ....

All too often when I have gone elsewhere to sew, the ergonomics of the tables and chairs are not anywhere near friendly when sewing for any length of time. So much so that I want a booster seat to get me closer to the right height!!!

Sometimes I have managed to stack two chairs together, but that is not always do-able.
Now, I take a cushion or two with me, and leave in the car, so I can grab if need be.

Most importantly ... Have FUN!

I bet you will be the hit of the retreat when everyone sees what you have. They are fantastic!

Exactly what I was thinking. Other quilters will be sew jealous!