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This year, our Creative Sewing Club will embrace a new theme: "Finishers Race!”
We all know the weight of unfinished projects—those items stashed on shelves, in containers, or tucked away in sewing bags that never seem to progress. Whether it's due to confusion, lack of motivation, or simply life's distractions, these projects can hinder our creative potential.

Why Focus on Finishing?

Unfinished sewing projects can cause stress and frustration, especially for projects that once sparked excitement. This year, we will shift our focus to completing as many projects as possible. Each session will provide support, tips, and problem-solving strategies to help you overcome obstacles and bring your creations to life.

Monthly Themes and Projects

Each month will spotlight a specific type of project, ensuring a variety of interests are catered to:

  • - Bags - Quilts - Clothing - Using up scraps  - Fabric Collages -

Members are encouraged to bring any unfinished projects to class, where I will offer guidance, problem solving, and thoughtful ways to complete them efficiently, whether as gifts or simply for personal satisfaction. 

Small Projects

There will no longer be new big projects introduced each session. Instead, I will teach small projects that can be completed within a few hours. This approach will keep members motivated and engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Organizational Support

Throughout the year, we'll also discuss effective ways to organize your sewing space, fabric, and supplies. A tidy workspace can enhance creativity and reduce stress.

Show and Tell

As part of our creative community, we will integrate a Show and Tell component. This will allow members to showcase their finished projects from previous sessions, fostering inspiration and camaraderie.

Meeting Schedule

We will meet every other month for an all-day session, providing dedicated time to focus on completing your projects.

Join us for a year filled with creativity, support, and the joy of finishing what we start! It’s a race we all can win! 

 

April/May 2026 Finishers Race: Unfinished Bag Projects

 

 

 

Finishers Race #2:
Unfinished Bag Projects

with Ruth Locke

Month Two: Finishers Race ????

For our second month, we will be focusing on finishing all of our unfinished bag projects. Sometimes when it’s been a while since we last worked on a project, it’s easy to forget how to complete certain steps (and no—you are definitely not the only one!).

 Quick Project: “Call Me” Phone Holder by ByAnnie

Our optional quick project this month will be the “Call Me” phone holder from ByAnnie. This pattern is a great refresher because it uses several essential bag-making skills that will help you finish your other projects, including:

  • Sewing binding
  • Working with mesh
  • Sewing vinyl
  • Installing a zipper

These are all skills commonly used in bag making, so this project is designed to get you back into the groove and build confidence.

The quick project is optional and is not intended to take the entire class session. Please plan to bring additional projects to work on during class.

????Important: Be sure to bring the directions for all projects you plan to work on.

Finishers Race Homework ????

Your homework from Session One was to:

  • Sort through your unfinished projects
  • Organize them by type
  • Fill out your Finishers Race Tracker

Please bring your completed tracker to class for show and tell, along with any projects you’ve finished this month.

We can’t wait to see your progress!

Supply List

“Call Me” Phone Holder – ByAnnie

This is a great pattern for using leftover bag-making materials from previous projects. I was able to use leftover pieces of quilted bag sandwiches (fabric + ByAnnie Soft and Stable + fabric), as well as extra binding.

???? Before cutting new materials, check to see if you have leftovers that will work for this project. Using scraps is encouraged!

If you do not have leftover parts, please bring the following:

Pattern

  • Call Me pattern by ByAnnie

Fabric & Stabilizers

  • 3 coordinating fat quarters

  • 12" x 8" ByAnnie Soft and Stable

  • 6¼" x 5½" ByAnnie Lightweight Mesh

  • 3¾" x 4¾" ByAnnie Premium Clear Vinyl

  • 5½" fold-over elastic

  • 7" or longer handbag zipper

Notions & Tools

  • Microtex or Jeans needle, size 90/14

  •  

    Matching thread and bobbin

    • 40 wt thread (your choice)

  • Rotary cutter and mat

  • 6" x 12" ruler 

  •  Sewing Machine in good working order - Don't forget your extension table    
  • ¼" foot

  • Edge stitching foot

  • Basic sewing supplies (pins, seam ripper, etc.)

  • Fabric marker or chalk

  • Wonder Clips

  • Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Scissors

Prep List (Please Complete Before Class)

  1. Check for leftover bag parts you can use for this project.

    • If you do not have leftovers, quilt a sandwich of fabric + ByAnnie Soft and Stable + fabric, then cut out the required pieces.

    • Read through the pattern and prepare your binding, cut out the mesh and vinyl pieces, and have everything ready to bring to class.

  2. Purchase all required supplies from Mel’s Sewing & Fabric before class.