At our local guild small area meeting in September, fellow guild member Gail asked everyone to bring a brown paper bag with 2 fat quarters we really liked for an exchange. The bags were handed out in August, and were decorated with fall leaf decorations. In September, the bags were put on a table and everyone just picked one, not knowing who brought it or what the fabrics looked like inside. The idea was to take the fat quarters you received, and make a gift from them to return to the person who brought them. You could add fabric to the ones in the bag. I got these two. I know this lady well, and she loves bags. So, I thought I’d make her a project bag, adding a clear vinyl for a see through bag.

I had some vinyl, and luckily, a blue zipper of the right size. One of the browns will be binding as I liked it better than the cream.

I didn’t take a lot of process photos because I didn’t think I’d do a tutorial on this project. If you all are really interested, I can do one later. I cut a strip off the shorter side of both fabrics, and used them to enclose one side of the zipper. Then I enclosed the other side of the zipper with the longer fabrics. I inserted a piece of clear vinyl between the fabrics on the other raw edge, folded under the raw edges and top stitched them with the edge of the vinyl enclosed.

On the inside, it looks like this now.

On the outside, the zipper edges are enclosed. I folded the top over and topstitched it on the upper edge.

I did the same at the bottom. The vinyl is only 12 inches long, so the fabric folds up from the bottom.

I used the tone on tone brown for the binding, applying it by machine. The ends are wrapped around, covering the raw edges.

With a scrap left over, I made a handle for the top. I put buttons on the spot where the ends are stitched down. I stitched through all the layers as it was easier to do, and I didn’t think the little bit it took away from the inside dimensions would matter.

The bag’s clear vinyl front will allow her to see what is inside.

I added a little bee to a ribbon for a zipper pull.

There it is, all done. The exchange paper is inside. She loved it!

So, what did I get? My friend, Rose, made a notebook cover for me, with an elastic pencil holder on the front.

Inside, a notebook ready to be filled with notes, to do lists, dates and more. Of course, I love this! Thank you, Rose!!

Gail’s idea was fabulous, and we had a wonderful meeting with each person talking about what they made, then giving it to the person who brought the fabrics. Then that person talked about what they made, and gave to the next member. We had such a wide variety of items made! From a thread catcher pin cushion combo, to a casserole carrier, to wall hangings and table runners, small handbags and so much more. This was so fun, you should try it in your guild!

What would you make with two fat quarters?