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Home » Sewing » Fabric Fest

Published: Sep 16, 2013 · Modified: Sep 3, 2018 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 5 Comments

Fabric Fest

solid-pinwheel-quilt

A gorgeous quilt on display in the store at Fabric Fest (note to self: time to sew with solids)

Hi guys! Before I get into my Fabric Fest wrap up a few items of business:

-If you were in my Retro Travel Bag Class the tutorial on this blog has been updated with all of the information and photos from our class.  I added lots of notes and tips for you as you finish your bags.

-A PDF version of the Retro Travel Bag along with a 2nd handle design, cutting guides, more pocket ideas etc…  will be for sale in my pattern shop by the end of the month. If you were in my class, I’ll be sending you one free.

-If you are a shop and want to teach my bag as a class, each student will need to purchase a pattern. Email me for more info. The tutorial is for home use only, not for commercial purposes. We can also chat if you want me to come and teach the class.

Okay now for the wrap up!

fabric-fest-class

celia working on her bag

I’m back from Fabric Fest!  I’m still taking some time to gather my thoughts, but man was that a whirlwind!

I taught 90 people how to make my Retro Travel bag.  We had about 30 people in each class, so it was pretty busy. Originally I had agreed to teach less classes with fewer people, but went ahead and added the extra spots because many people asked to be added to the class.

retro-travel-bag-class

My students were awesome!  They were all so willing to learn, which I loved. Many had not put in piping or a zipper before and I hope that they left class feeling like they had learned something new. My goal with the class was to make sure they LEARNED something.  It’s one thing to sit and make a project, but it’s another to leave a class having gained some new knowledge. I hope that’s the case, even though we didn’t have enough time to finish the whole bag.

I love teaching, especially sewing.

retro-travel-bag

It was nice to meet so many people all there to learn and try a little something new. My biggest regret is that since we had so much to do in class in a short amount of time that I didn’t get a chance to just sit and chat with my students. I would love to get to know most of them better. (If you’re a blogger were in my class, leave a comment with your blog url for me k?)

melissa-mortenson-amy-smart

I had an absolute fantastic time with my roomie Amy of Diary of A Quilter.  She’s just as nice in real life as she seems on her blog. She even trusted me enough to help her make some samples for her Modern Quilting class…. I loved having all of the time to get to know her better.  We had a great time and in the end both left a bit sleep deprived, but it was worth it.

melissa-mortenson-cottage-mama-simple-simon

I also got to spend some time with Lindsay of the Cottage Mama. It is always so nice to sit and chat with people in your same industry. Lindsay had such great advice on running a business.  I even got to get a sneak peek at her New Book that comes out next month!  It’s beautiful and I wish that my girls were still young so that I could make all of the projects in it.

See the other two girls in that photo? Those are the “Liz’s” as I call them, the two Elizabeth’s from Simple Simon and Co — they are infamous for never posing for pictures – HA !! I got one of them.

The four of us taught a class on finding your Signature Style- I’ll be posting about my part of the class here over the next few weeks. They have all done such a good job finding and perfecting a unique style and I learned so much from all of them while we were teaching our class.

riley-blake-fabrics1

I had to pinch myself a bit that I was surrounded by so many talented women all week.  They were all so nice to talk to and so willing to share advice. Above you can see Kim and Kris of My Girlfriends Quilt Shop, Carina Gardner, Shari of Doohickey Designs, Lori Holt, Myself, Lindsay and Amy.

retro-travel-bag-pink-1

If you were in my Retro Travel Bag class the tutorial has been updated with all of the information and photos from our class. Email me if you get stuck and drop me a note when you finish I’d love to see your bags!

Now onto the Sewing Summit this week and something totally different, English Smocking. I don’t know what I was thinking booking two teaching gigs so close together… Let’s just say I’m overly optimistic about my time management skills *wink*

More Projects You'll Love!

  • Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern by Melissa Mortenson; makes a cute weekend bag and can be made with leather straps or sewn purse handles. Would be a cute DIY summer travel bag.
    Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern
  • Free sewing pattern for a monogrammed travel bag. Such a great DIY gift for a guy or a Dad. -- Waxed Canvas Travel Bag Pattern
    Waxed Canvas Travel Bag Sewing Pattern
  • Quick and easy 5 Minute Fabric Gift Bag Tutorial - #handmadegift #sewing #sewingtutorial #giftbag #diygiftbag
    5 Minute Fabric Gift Bag Tutorial
  • Learn how to make this cute weekend travel bag in an online video class! Features Retro Travel Bag sewing pattern by Melissa Mortenson
    NEW! Video Sewing Tutorial Series

About Author

Melissa Mortenson

Melissa Mortenson is the author of the Polka Dot Chair blog which has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love”. Her work and designs have been featured on numerous websites including HuffPost, Today, Pioneer Woman & BuzzFeed. Her first fabric line “Derby Style” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  It was followed by 7 other fabric lines in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

Connect with me on Instagram

  • I am sure your feed is full of the Black Friday specials right now, please allow me to throw my hat in the ring as well. ❤️. The entire shop is 30% off through Monday link in bio (https://shop.polkadotchair.com) I appreciate each one of you so much! I can not believe the difference you have all made in my life. Thank you for letting me into your lives just a bjt through this funny little medium. ❤️.
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#makersgonnamake #quiltersofinstagram #quiltpatterns #polkadotchair #rileyblakedesigns
  • I am so excited to have a project featured in Quilts and More Magazine! ✂️ When I first started quilting it was always my favorite Magazine to pick up at the store. I can’t believe I have a project in it now. This little pin cushion caddy is super quick to make and would make a great gift for someone who loves sewing and quilting. The issue is in newsstands now. .
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#quiltersofinstagram #polkadotchair #rileyblakedesigns #foxfarmfabric Used with permission from Quilts & More™ magazine. ©2020 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • The first two of our annual holiday gift guides are up on the blog. 🎁 We do these every year and look forward to searching for fun ideas for you guys for gifts. Our gift guides always include BOTH gifts you can make and gifts you can buy. The first two guides include gifts to make and buy for teenage girls. 💄 AND gifts for the Disney fan in your life. 🎢 🍦 To see the guides just hop on over and click the link in our bio. Keep watching the blog this week for more guides. Is there a gift guide you’d like to see? Just leave a comment for us and we’ll try to do it! .
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#polkadotchair #sewingproject #sewingtutorial #christmasgiftideas  #giftsforteens #melissamortenson
  • Looks like a nice size for a baby quilt right? Well it’s NOT SUPPOSED to be a baby quilt. It’s supposed to be the center block for our #justforfunquilt and it’s TWO TIMES TOO BIG! 🤦🏼‍♀️. Don’t know what happed to my brain this week. More explanation on stories. Oh- and don’t worry. The right block will be up on the blog tomorrow as planned. Also- next year for Halloween I’m going as a quilt with legs 😂.
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#rileyblakedesigns #blossomfabric #polkadotchair #melissamortenson
  • I guess it’s time to transition the IG feed from orange to red 😉. Let’s talk Christmas crafting! 🎅🏼 🌲. I’m working with @officialcricut this holiday season to bring you loads of fun personalized gift ideas. First up this “believe” wood Christmas sign with 3D wood cut out. It was my first time to cut wood with my Cricut Maker and I’m so excited that it actually worked! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 It took a bit of trial and error but it worked! On the blog I’ve outlined how I did it , along with a few tips if you try it yourself.  Just use the link in my bio  then go to the home page. #cricutmade #cricutmaker #christmascrafts #handmadechristmas #handmadechristmasdecorations
  • Happy Halloween Witches! 🎃🎃🎃 Hope your day is full of fun and not too many scares!  Photo is from a few years ago when the kids were little and we did things like carve pumpkins, and dress in matching costumes. Might still carve the pumpkins tonight and break out the hat - we will see 😉
Previous Post: « My Retro Travel Bag Sewing Class!
Next Post: Sewing Lesson: How to Make and Sew Piping »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lindsay Wilkes - The Cottage Mama says

    October 03, 2013 at 3:32 pm

    Awwww, such great pictures, Melissa!! It was so fun to see you and spend some time together. It felt like we were so crazy busy……..sometime we need to just go on a retreat where we can hang out and sew :). Maybe someday, right? You were so great on our ‘Signature Style’ panel…….I’m looking at photographs in an entirely new way. Talk to you soon, Lindsay

    Reply
    • Melissa Mortenson says

      October 07, 2013 at 1:26 pm

      I agree! Let’s go somewhere and just sew! Good luck this week in Colorado!

      Reply
  2. Bobbie (@avisiontorememb) says

    October 30, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    Hey Melissa…I don’t know if you remember me. I was there with my mom and I made the pink and green version of the bag. My mom isn’t so good at finishing things so I took her bag to finish it 🙂 Anyway. I am wanting to do some fabric handles that are long so that I can put it over my shoulder. Any ideas? Thanks again and I really enjoyed meeting you and taking your class!

    Reply
    • Melissa Mortenson says

      November 03, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      Hi bobbie!
      yes, I remember you! I just finished writing up the directions for fabric handles for this bag. I’ll email them to you as soon as I’m done!

      Melissa

      Reply
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CONNECT WITH US ON INSTAGRAM

  • I am sure your feed is full of the Black Friday specials right now, please allow me to throw my hat in the ring as well. ❤️. The entire shop is 30% off through Monday link in bio (https://shop.polkadotchair.com) I appreciate each one of you so much! I can not believe the difference you have all made in my life. Thank you for letting me into your lives just a bjt through this funny little medium. ❤️.
.
.
.
#makersgonnamake #quiltersofinstagram #quiltpatterns #polkadotchair #rileyblakedesigns
  • I am so excited to have a project featured in Quilts and More Magazine! ✂️ When I first started quilting it was always my favorite Magazine to pick up at the store. I can’t believe I have a project in it now. This little pin cushion caddy is super quick to make and would make a great gift for someone who loves sewing and quilting. The issue is in newsstands now. .
.
.
#quiltersofinstagram #polkadotchair #rileyblakedesigns #foxfarmfabric Used with permission from Quilts & More™ magazine. ©2020 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • The first two of our annual holiday gift guides are up on the blog. 🎁 We do these every year and look forward to searching for fun ideas for you guys for gifts. Our gift guides always include BOTH gifts you can make and gifts you can buy. The first two guides include gifts to make and buy for teenage girls. 💄 AND gifts for the Disney fan in your life. 🎢 🍦 To see the guides just hop on over and click the link in our bio. Keep watching the blog this week for more guides. Is there a gift guide you’d like to see? Just leave a comment for us and we’ll try to do it! .
.
#polkadotchair #sewingproject #sewingtutorial #christmasgiftideas  #giftsforteens #melissamortenson
  • Looks like a nice size for a baby quilt right? Well it’s NOT SUPPOSED to be a baby quilt. It’s supposed to be the center block for our #justforfunquilt and it’s TWO TIMES TOO BIG! 🤦🏼‍♀️. Don’t know what happed to my brain this week. More explanation on stories. Oh- and don’t worry. The right block will be up on the blog tomorrow as planned. Also- next year for Halloween I’m going as a quilt with legs 😂.
.
.
#rileyblakedesigns #blossomfabric #polkadotchair #melissamortenson
  • I guess it’s time to transition the IG feed from orange to red 😉. Let’s talk Christmas crafting! 🎅🏼 🌲. I’m working with @officialcricut this holiday season to bring you loads of fun personalized gift ideas. First up this “believe” wood Christmas sign with 3D wood cut out. It was my first time to cut wood with my Cricut Maker and I’m so excited that it actually worked! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 It took a bit of trial and error but it worked! On the blog I’ve outlined how I did it , along with a few tips if you try it yourself.  Just use the link in my bio  then go to the home page. #cricutmade #cricutmaker #christmascrafts #handmadechristmas #handmadechristmasdecorations
  • Happy Halloween Witches! 🎃🎃🎃 Hope your day is full of fun and not too many scares!  Photo is from a few years ago when the kids were little and we did things like carve pumpkins, and dress in matching costumes. Might still carve the pumpkins tonight and break out the hat - we will see 😉
  • Hi guys! I’m very sad to be #missingmarket right now! The timing wasn’t great for me to go and I’m missing all of my friends right now. A few of you have asked and I do have a fabric line releasing in 2020. There aren’t any samples at market (usually Riley Blake doesn’t show samples of holiday lines at market) but I wanted to let you know to look out for it if you’re there ordering fabric! 🎅🏼 🎄 It’s called Santa Claus Lane and it’s inspired by my collection of vintage Christmas linens and postcards. (And that Hilary Duff song 😉🎼I )I wanted to design a Christmas line with a fresh and bright feel and am really excited with how it turned out. There are 21 prints (with Mr and Mrs Claus ‘cause we all know who does most of the work at Christmas 🤶🏻) and 2 panels with the line. One for pillows/quilts and one for stockings. The line will hit stores in May 2020 and I’m thinking a little Christmas in July celebration will be in order then. 🎄🎅🏼🤶🏻.
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#quiltmarket2019 #rileyblakedesigns #christmasfabric #polkadotchair #melissamortenson

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