This month I am sharing my Benartex project. The project requirement was to use precuts for my March project. I received several precuts including 10"x10"square pack, 2.5" STRIP-PIES, and a 20 piece fat quarter bundle of Frogtastic.
The Frogtastic fabric line was designed by Terry Runyan for Benartex Designer Fabrics.
This line includes vibrant colors of orange, green and blue which feature frogs, turtles and fish. It also has coordinating fabrics of black with fun orange, green and blue symbols or white circles. It is a very cute line that will be in fabrics stores this March.
I thought it would be a perfect fit for a child's sleeping bag. I have a niece that is six and I thought this would be great for her. She has tortoises, lizards and snakes in her home. She enjoys taking care of them.
I started out my drawing up a design, but I had never made a sleeping bag before. I've made plenty of bags but not a sleeping bag. I also wanted to put in a zipper which I knew was going to be challenging but I figured, why not?, I can always rip it out.
First I chose to use the 2.5" STRIP-PIES pack for the front cover of the sleeping bag. I used the 10" square pack for the inside cover and pillow. For the binding I used the 2.5" STRIP-PIES and for the sleeping bag base and back, I used yardage of Color Weave Grass.
Making a sleeping bag is similar to making a quilt. The difference is that basically two quilts are used and a zipper is added. The binding is used to form the sleeping bag and hold the pieces together. The binding is also used to attach the zipper. Zippers by the yard can be purchased so that a long zipper can be installed on a sleeping bag.
First I sewed two strips together lengthwise. Then for the quilt top, I took the strips and placed them on a Rick Rack Accuquilt Die.
Each strip set was layered and fan folded then cut to get a wavy piece.
A die cutter was perfect for this project because I couldn't be this precise to accurately cut waves.
The pieces were placed next to each other and fused by using fusible batting. This method is called fusible appliqué.
After all the strips were laid out and fused, then I added detailing along each wavy border by adding decorative stitches in black. Black decorative stitching was used because I thought it would enhance the look of the sketch like quality of the frogs and turtles. The decorative stitching also serves another purpose to secure the fabric to the batting.
Decorative stitches are often forgotten about on sewing machines. It is a great way to add fun details and texture to a project. Try out some decorative stitches on your sewing machine. They are a nice addition to any project.
For more added detail, I decided to appliqué a turtle on the sleeping back. It can be seen once the bag is opened. I did some freemotion stitching on it to match the turtles on the fabric. I thread doodled a head, feet and a tail. It also goes along nicely with the sketch like design of the fabric. Using fabric for design inspiration for your own creations can be done too. This turtle was fun to make and looks great on the sleeping bag. Below, there is a picture of a piece of the fabric with the turtle design on it. This was my inspiration.
To coordinate with the sleeping bag, I made a kid sized pillow cover using traditional piecing. I designed the cover using the six, 6" shoofly block squares. I mixed them up so that they would have a design to go along with the playfulness of the fabric and sleeping bag.
Lastly, I added the zipper and a strap on the sleeping bag so that it could be easily zipped up and carried. The sleeping bag can be used for night under the stars, in a tent or at home during a sleepover. If you think I should make this sleeping bag design into a pattern, let me know in the comments below. I always like to hear your thoughts.Thank you.
I think a child would like this fun and colorful sleeping bag with cute frogs, fish and turtles on it.
To celebrate this fabric line coming out this March and for my first quarterly ambassador project with Benartex, I decided to offer a Giveaway! You have an opportunity to win 3 sewing patterns and a 10" square stack of the Frogtastic fabric line. So what do you have to do?
Go to Instagram:
Follow: briannaroberts71
Like the Giveaway Post
Tag a Quilty friend on Instagram in the post comments.
Receive an additional entry for each friend you tag per separate comment.
The Giveaway runs from Friday,March 24th, 2023 until Midnight EST, Monday, March 27th, 2023. The winner will be announced Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 morning EST. The winner will be notified by DM on Instagram. All Sew Cute And Quirky followers are eligible for the Giveaway. International followers must pay VAT, customs fees or any taxes that their country requires if they win. The Giveaway gift will be shipped USPS first class.This giveaway is in no part sponsored by Instagram.
All fabrics have been supplied by Benartex fabrics.
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Thanks for following along in my sewing journey. Here is a list of the other ambassadors. They have some great projects coming up too. Check it out.
Carol - Just Let Me Quilt
Nancy - Masterpiece Quilting
Michele - Flower Box Quilts
Charisma - Charisma's Corner
Olesya - Olesya L Design
Robin - Nestlings By Robin
Laura - Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio, LLC
Marie - Underground Quilter
Nancy - Nancy Messuri Designs
Lisa - Quilty Zest