Here I am showcasing the Jackie Clark Designs Market-2-Market Tote Bag, Junk Bag and Backpack. I suggest bag linings, discuss fabric options and provide inspiration for both the beginner and advanced sewer. To download these patterns and sew your own, visit the Downloads for Purchase section here on my site.

It’s always fun to see how others were inspired by my patterns and made creations of their own. Here are two blogs that I enjoyed reading and think you will, too.

This Oregon blog named Probably Actually used my Britches & Bloomers pattern to create a pair of pants for a newborn boy.

Over at Fran’s Threads, a unique striped jacket was made using my Cute as a Button Baby Jacket pattern, which can be downloaded from this website for $8.

I love to see the projects that you’re working on. Share them with me on the Jackie Clark Designs Facebook page. See you there and happy sewing!

Perfect patterns and projects for gift giving!
Happy Sewing!

Personalize a photo album

Sew excited to be doing a program in Arkansas City.
Walnut Valley Quilters Guild
Monday Sept.10
1:00 & 6:00
Walnut Valley Quilters Guild

My sister Tamara , my mom Ruth, and I
will be presenting the program together! Tamara will be speaking about crochet, I’ll speak about sewing and patterns, my mom will be filling in with special comments!
We are all excited!

Market 2 Market Tote
Check out this fun to sew pattern makes a great gift !

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Hapyy New Year!  I am excited to announce that I will start off the new year giving a mini-presentation at Prairie Quilt Guild on January 11th.  

Prairie Quilt Guild Presentation

The January Mini-Workshops will be held at the Prairie Quilt Guild meeting on Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 at 1 p.m. or 7 p.m.

 Presenters:
  Deb Johnson – “How to produce a Pattern”
  Cheryl Nordstedt – “How to make a design wall without tools or carpentry”
  Barbara Kroeger – “Log Cabin Star Quilt”
  Jackie Clark – “On the Go Hip Purse”

I sew hope you can make it!

Is there anything more wonderful than soft baby toes?  Everytime I was tempted to update the Britches & Bloomers cover, the JCD girls and I nearly came undone!    How could anything be sweeter than our little hugging barefoot girls? 

But, it did get sweeter.  I am so excited to have wonderful fabrics to sew the models for the new cover.  This photo has been in my mind for several years.. waiting for the right circumstances to remake the delightful pattern cover of  Britches & Bloomers. 

 The Little Flower Pocket Top looks so good with the Britches, and I couldn’t resist showing more fabrics using the owl pattern.. Sew many choices!  I am sew excited to be using my Baby Business and In the Nest fabrics by Benartex, and my little granddaughter, Ava and her cousin, Lyrik for this brave step. 

I can’t wait to show the new cover all finished!

You have no idea.  No idea.  There really is no explaining how hard this was, and at the same time, how exhilarating, liberating and exciting.  I have treasured and protected this piece of fabric like a small infant child.  All the while hoping to be able to use it and happily let it serve it’s purpose.  It’s fabric.  I love it.  It is now something I can use daily…

I am using the Junk Bag pattern to make my tote for Quilt Market.

I couldn’t wait to free-motion quilt on this fabric!  The stabilizer used in this pattern acts like a thin batting, so quilting just seems so right!  I had some problems with my machine and just couldn’t wait.. The owner of Midwest Sewing where I am teaching some classes said I could use one of his machines while mine is repaired.  I was so excited to try the 820 Bernina BSR .  The stitch regulator is awesome!  As you move the piece that you are quilting, the sensor sees how fast you are moving the fabric and adjusts the speed of the machine automatically, no need to press on the foot control!  I have never had the chance to use it!  The picture above is a close up of the free motion quilting I did on the machine – awesome, fast, perfect!

While I was at it, I took some pictures of some of the steps used in the bag directions.  I love these binder clips.  They hold everything in the right spot, I don’t worry about holes in my fabric or whether I can get the pin through all the layers.

Also use the clips to hold the lining in place.  I used plenty!  It helps align the fabric and keep it from wrinkling in the wrong spot down the road as you sew.

When stitching lining to bag around top edge, use quarter inch presser foot with guide.  Stitch on lining side of bag (Refer to step 10 on pattern).

Working on the Bernina really spoiled me.  I get asked often by quilters and sewers what machine I use or if I would recommend one.  I really recommend that you visit a shop that specializes in machines and visit with the salesperson about what your needs are.  My experience is really limited to what few machines I have been exposed to and there are so many special features on each machine, I couldn’t possibly keep up to speed like a shop owner can.  I learned quite a bit visiting an open house at Midwest Sewing, here in Wichita and had some time to try a few of the Bernina machines while there.  I have had one in the past and really loved it.

Ta-Da.  I’m exhausted.  Sewing really is a demanding, contact sport for some of us.  But it’s a labor of love.

Bag back, quilted.

Bag inside pockets.

Now I get to add my fabric hang tag and bejewel and bling it up!  It’s what I’ve been waiting for. 

Happy Sewing, ladies!