This post is about my secret, pre-QuiltCon sewing. I've been waiting, with great anticipation, to meet more than a dozen quilters I've come to know well through the Mid-Century Modern Bee (I was a member in 2013 and 2014), blogging, and Instagram. When I met these quilters at QuiltCon, face-to-face, I wanted them to know how happy I am about knowing them.
So, I made a whole bunch of these! Sixteen to be precise. These are travel trays.
With all the fabrics coming from my stash - both the outside prints and inside solids - and batting and thread in abundance, they were almost free to sew.
The part that was a little challenging was coming up with four pair of snaps for each one. 17 X 4 = 68 pair of snaps! I prefer the sew-on type snaps and bought-up all the size 1 snaps that JoAnn Fabrics had in stock! Then, I settled for gripper snaps for the remainder. Happily, I found several packages of decorator gripper snaps on clearance.
The decorative snaps look good, but are a little heavier. I still prefer the sew-in kind. The pattern writer suggests using Velcro to join the corners, but from experience I know Velcro would catch on clothes in a suitcase.
If you aren't familiar with what a travel tray is, and does... it's simply a small (7" X 9") quilt that snaps at the corners to form a tray to hold your eyeglasses, rings, wristwatch or any other important items you need to keep track of when you're traveling.
Isn't this chair print adorable? It's a new one from a collection called "Sanibel." How perfect!
I use a travel tray all the time! The one on my nightstand holds the pills I need to take every morning.
It was really fun to sew these, especially picking out print and solid combinations.
And I even enjoyed hand sewing on the snaps.
I sewed my quilt label into each travel tray because I do want my friends to think of me when they use their tray. I sure think of them often, and I'm grateful they're part of my life.
If you'd like to make a travel tray as a "happy to meet you" gift for a friend, or for yourself, here's the link to the free pattern. Linda
It was So incredible wonderful to meet you, too, Linda, and thank you so much for the little giftie. I don't know how I've lived without one all these years, especially with the traveling I do, back and forth, twice a year. Thank you so much! And thanks for the link to the tutorial for making them. I see a few in my future, as I can think of several ladies who will be grateful to own one. Hope you're continuing to have a great time at QuiltCon and visiting your family!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Maybe not 17 of them but 2 or 3 would be great to make. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I can certainly see how handy they would be! When away from home bits and pieces get put down and can easily lost! Thanks for the tutorial- I need to make myself one!
ReplyDeleteLinda I love these! And yes, I want to make some...I'm sure I have plenty of fabrics. :) Thanks for the link! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteWell Linda...these are absolutely darling! What a fun gift to share with such special friends.
ReplyDeleteThat was such a sweet thing for you to do for your new friends. I had never heard of them before. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteHow cute are those travel trays. I'm sure everybody was delighted with them. I've made something similar but with card board inserts and ribbons instead of the sap buttons. Your versions is so much easier. Enjoy the rest of the show.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great little gift idea, and so practical! On my list to make for the daughters and DIL's in the family.
ReplyDeleteThese trays look like a fabulous gift and can be used in so many different ways. I think I need to make some. Enjoy your time at Quiltcon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, thoughtful gift. I think these little trays are a fantastic idea. I've had great fun watching your adventures in Texas on Instagram.
ReplyDeleteThey are great and I'm sure they will be appreciated. I love the idea of using them when I travel and I'm going to download the pattern for my own version. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteSo thrilled for you that you have the opportunity to be there. I'm using this idea, but larger and in various sizes for getting dishes out of the microwave, without snaps; rather sewn corners.
ReplyDeleteI love the Sanibel fabric.
Those are adorable! I love the chair print and the blue palms. (I'm a palm lover, too - I have 2 impossibly tall Washingtonia palms in my front yard). :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, useful little gift for your blogging buddies. How nice to get to meet in person.
ReplyDeleteHow cute and clever!!! And what a nice 'gift'!!! I will for sure look at making some of these for special friends!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeletegreat idea!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how many of those MCM Bee members are IRL friends of mine! Sweeties, each and every one of you. I begged to get in, but Mary and Rene told me emphatically I wasn't anywhere close enough meeting the requirement. I don't feel so far away from it these days...
ReplyDeleteOh Linda. You were so sweet to gift these wonderful little fabric trays. I used mine every day in the hotel while at QuiltCon. Sooo sooo fun to meet you. Just wish we could have spent more quality time together. Your quilts were fabulous. I'm so glad I got to see your work up close in person. It's just amazing!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was awesome to meet finally and thanks for the darling tray!
ReplyDeleteLove the travel trays....thanks for the link...I will be making some of these for an upcoming trip to the UK.
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