Challenge Overview

This month’s Island Batik Ambassador challenge was a collaboration with Bags By Annie. The task was to select a bag pattern from the By Annie website. This pattern needed to include a “video add-on.” The add-on would assist in the construction process.

Pattern Selection

The pattern I chose for this challenge was “Out to Lunch 2.0,” which offers two different lunch bag sizes. I opted to make the Large bag. It is ideal for my work lunches. Some of my containers are too big for my current bag. A larger bag would be much more practical.

Fabric Choices

We had the opportunity to select our own fabrics for the project. My choices came from the Berry Crush Collection, a signature line by Jerry Khiev for Jennifer Thomas of  Curlicue Creations. The pattern calls for three types of fabric: main, lining, and coordinating. I selected:

• Coordinating fabric: Tree Multi-Red Pink
• Main fabric: Dogwood Floral Tossed
• Lining fabric: Sprigs Berry’s Multi-Pink

Materials Provided

Island Batik and its partners generously provided all necessary materials for this month’s challenge. The partners are By Annie, Aurifil, and Schmetz Needles. By Annie supplied everything needed for the bag. The items include mesh fabric, foldable elastic, and zippers. These items are all matched to the Berry Crush line.

Preparation and Tools

For sewing, Schmetz provided high-quality needles, which proved to be very effective when sewing through the layers of fabric. The By Annie patterns are known for their clear instructions. They are detailed. The add-on video was particularly useful when I found myself confused during construction. These video guides are a valuable resource, especially for beginners. By Annie also offers a few free projects with complete instructions, ideal for those new to bag making.

Bag Construction

The process began with cutting all coordinating fabric pieces and labeling them. I needed to quilt the main and lining fabrics before cutting them. I accomplished this using my Juki Longarm. I chose a pantograph design from Quilting Pantographs, called Blooming Daisies to complement the Dogwood Floral fabric.

Assembly started with the handles. Pressing the seams open was much easier with the Strip Stick tool. It helped before turning the handles right-side out. The tool prevents pressing down the sides.

A Bodkin was useful to assist in turning the handles. It made pressing the strips with seams down the center quick. A Bodkin is a handy tool for turning narrow fabric tubes right-side out, making handle construction much easier for beginners.

After the handles, attention turned to the bag sides. Depending on the section, quilting pins or clips were used to hold the pieces together. The ByAnnie’s Stiletto and pressing tool was not required. However, it proved invaluable for seam pressing. It also held pieces in place during sewing.

Bag Features

The finished bag includes two exterior pockets—one on each side—and fabric strips at each end to secure items. A double zipper allows for wide opening and easy access, and can be closed from either side.

Inside, a mesh zipper pocket provides storage for napkins, utensils, or small items. There are also two mesh pockets that provide space for ice packs.

The large size easily fits bigger Tupperware containers and allows drinks to stand upright.

Short straps make the bag easy to carry, and for shoulder carrying, the Carrying Strap instructions can be followed. I had enough leftover quilted fabric to make a matching Carrying Strap. It attaches with two clips. These clips can be tucked away when not in use.

Final Thoughts

I am thrilled with my completed Out to Lunch 2.0 Large bag and Carrying Handle, which I use daily. The roomy interior fits my lunch, purse, and phone, consolidating what I need to carry. The insulated bag can hold up to eight 16 oz water bottles. It has side pockets for ice packs to keep everything cool.

Have you made a Bag By Annie project? If so, share what you created! If you enjoyed my Out to Lunch 2.0 bag, be sure to check out the other Island Batik Ambassador projects this month.

Brenda Alburl ~ Songbird Designs
Renee Atkinson ~ Pink Tulip Quilting
Susan Deshensky ~ Lady Blue Quilts Studio
Tina Dillard ~ Quilting Affection Designs

Brittany Fisher ~ Bobbin with Brittany
Kimberly Flannagan ~ Kimberly’s Quilts
Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts

Kim Jamieson-Hirst ~ Chatterbox Quilts
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Connie Kresin Campbell ~ Freemotion by the River
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~ A Quiltery
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Lisa Pickering ~ Lisa’s Quilting Passion
Sarah Pitcher ~ Pitcher’s Boutique

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Carol Stanek ~ Stitch with Color
Solomae Stoycoff ~ Cuddle Cat Quiltworks
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt

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