In the Works: Junior Billie Bag #11

Because of the pandemic, it’s been almost three years since I taught a Junior Billie Bag class. That changes tomorrow, when I teach the first of three sessions to a new group of students. I’m pretty pumped!

Here’s a look at one of the front/back panels of my current bag:

Isn’t that a gorgeous poppy? I’m using several fabrics from the “Poppy Promenade” line designed by Greta Lynn for Kanvas in association with Benartex Fabrics. The line was released a year ago (or was it two?) and I bought a few yards of the main focus fabric, a stunning border print:

My thought was to make myself a sundress (which hasn’t happened yet) but I also purchased a few of the other prints in the line in smaller quantities in case I decided to make a quilt. That hasn’t happened yet, either.

To make the panel you see at the top of the page, I fussycut the border print to isolate a poppy and made an inset circle in the middle of a 10″ block of pearly grey fabric. The block is surrounded by a narrow red print flange, with solid black strips to finish the panel.

Instead of piecing the second front/back panel, I cut one piece of the border print:

I make a new bag with each class so I can show the students the individual components of the JBB and how they go together. Then I assemble the bag right along with the students so that I have a finished product the same time they do. Actually, I’m always a step or two ahead of them!

If you’re new to my blog, this link will explain the history of the Junior Billie Bag and give you a look at the 10 bags I have made over the last 10 years.

 

 

 

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7 Responses to In the Works: Junior Billie Bag #11

  1. Diane says:

    I have loved ALL of your Billie Bags and this one is a stunner!

  2. Vickie Rooks says:

    Love this version. Every single one that you have made is a winner. Very impressed with your generosity of gifting so many of them to others. Enjoy your class! Looking forward to seeing your future posts on the JBB progress.

  3. Nita Davis says:

    Dawn, this is stunning! So very pretty!

  4. Christine J Lentz says:

    Each bag is just stunning and a marvelous work of art. Plus an extraordinary teacher!

  5. Char says:

    I remember making (and wearing) dresses made from border prints. I miss wearing dresses…. Where are you teaching?

    • Dawn says:

      Hi Char! I teach at Montavilla Sewing Center in Lake Oswego. It’s the location where the Pine Needle was for 25 years or so (and before that it was June’s Fabrics). Were you living here then?

  6. Sandy Pruss says:

    I love the fabrics, Dawn! You did a fantastic job, the bag is sure to stop anyone to comment on how lovely it is. Hope you enjoy it!

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