Quilting on unconventional fabrics - Quilted Notebook bag tutorial

Two bags with a blue and white pattern on them.

Happy, happy 4th of July! I hope you're able to enjoy the holiday with your loved ones and make some great memories.

Today, I'm excited to share a free tutorial that I created with the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9400 for an awesome project bag. I'm always scouring the house for bags to load up with notebooks, sketch pads, folders, or whatever I'm currently working on to squeeze in a few extra minutes of work on the go, and this bag has a little extra depth to really protect all those items. It's also reversible, so you can make one side to go with the fall season and the other a little brighter to work with spring and summer!

Reversible Notebook Bag

Plus...we'll take a look at quilting on a thicker fabric than your usual quilting cotton. I do a lot of quilting and embroidery on leather and faux leather fabrics, and there is a lot of hesitation when it comes to that from some. When I started sewing, I didn't take a bunch of classes...rather, I just dove in and experimented to find what worked for me. I didn't have anyone there to tell me I shouldn't try something, or that it wouldn't work, so I think that was a huge benefit. For this tutorial, break out that walking foot (or your free motion foot) and try your hand at some geometric quilting.

A sewing machine with the needle in its foot.

Janome Dual Feed Foot quilting geometric lines on faux leather

If you haven't tried quilting on leather or faux leather before, I'd recommend getting a few scraps of some cheap faux leather--my local Joann's has lots of remnants on clearance that I grab whenever I can--and do some quick samples. I usually do my best work on "trash" fabric when there's no pressure to mess up expensive fabrics. I'll make sure my pieces are big enough to make a little cosmetic bag or something with later on, because 9 times out of 10, I end up wishing I could save my sample!

This really is a quick sew--and you can easily alter the bag measurements to make the bag any size you like, upgrade it to add some pockets on the interior and exterior, or whatever your needs are. Check out the full tutorial on the American Quilter's Society Blog and have fun with it! Go and conquer your fears of quilting on some different fabrics, and happy sewing!

Colorful quilting fabric circles on cutting mat

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

Sunshine Tote PDF Pattern - download now!

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

Reversible Lanyard Tutorial

Make your own lanyard with the Oliso mini project iron

A table with a quilt and many different colored squares.

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

Moroccan Tiles Sew Along - Week 2

Week 2 of the Moroccan Tiles Sew Along is cutting our fabrics!

Colorful fabric squares and cut sewing patterns

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

Quilting Hack - Stack and cut to save time

A green and pink flower with many circles

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

How to Fussy Cut Fabric

Fussy cutting is a technique that's used to cut fabric a specific way with the print in mind. This tutorial will show you step-by-step how to master fussy cutting.

A table with several different colored letters and cards.

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

Typecast English Paper Piecing

A circular blade with a hole in the center.

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

Easy Zip Pouch Tutorial

Make a hand quilted zip pouch with a decorative finish in this free tutorial using the OLFA wave blade and Aurifloss.

A pink and blue heart quilt with a red rotary cutter.

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

Total Eclipse Heart Pouch Tutorial

Use the Total Eclipse Heart Block to whip up a quick zip pouch!

A red and white striped table cloth with two hearts on it.

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

Total Eclipse Heart Block

The Total Eclipse Heart Block tutorial is here! Grab three fat quarters are get sewing!!

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

Ringing in 2019 with OLFA

White pillow with three red and green stars

Tutorials – by kustomkwilts

All is Bright Pillow tutorial

Simple design and cheerful fabrics are a great way to brighten up your home decor projects! Grab an oblong pillow form and a few basic sewing supplies and you'll have your own great pillow in no time at all!