Gift Sewing Day 3 - Mat Carrier

Want a big bag that can carry lots of sewing gear?  This has to be it.  In fact, it is one of the biggest bags I have every sewn. The measurements on this one is 26 wide x 21-1/2"  tall x 3" deep and will hold your 18" x 24" mat.  The pattern is from  Sew on the Go by Cindy Taylor Oates and this bag is for a very dear friend.

My friend is an amazing quilter and makes quilt after quilt.  Most of her creations are gifts and my four daughters have received her quilts, which they love.

Every year the two families get together for a Christmas celebration and I make her a gift.  Barb is   attending more quilting classes and workshops and this mat carrier seemed like the perfect gift.

The inside has a huge pocket to hold the 18" x 24" mat.   I didn't have enough of the three coordinating fabrics, so the inside of the pocket is muslin.

The mat pocket is held in place by a loop and shank button.  Can you believe this is the only shank button I had?

I works perfectly and will keep the pocket and mat close to the side of the bag

Soft and Stable was used to help give the bag shape and I quilted it in place.  

Considering how big this bag is, I think it will be carrying lots of quilting notions and fabrics to sewing classes and retreats.  With this in mind, I really stitched the handles in place, going over the same stitching lines several times.

I did purchase an 18" x 24" mat for my friend and her bag.  It was just so cute and matched the bag perfectly - red on one side and pink on the other!

Look for another day of gift sewing tomorrow and then I need to make the grandson's Christmas pajamas and all my gifts have been sewn.