Secret Sewing Reveal

One of the secret sewing projects for the wedding was some gift bags for the bridesmaids.  I had purchased a Snap Happy pattern, which uses metal measuring tape for a flexible secure closure, and Elaine really liked the idea.  She chose the fabrics to go along with her colors for the wedding of gray, yellow and cream.

The prairie point "handles", cover, and lining were specifically chosen for the five bridesmaids.

I used a different quilting pattern on each.  You should have seen Grant's face when he walked in as I was cutting up the steel measuring tape!  I bought an inexpensive $5 one.

Elaine chose the largest size bag from the pattern (about 5 x 7") to make it the most useful for the future.

She presented the bridesmaids' gifts in their bags at the rehearsal dinner.

Each girl received a handmade sterling silver wire necklace of their first initial.  Here is her beautiful best friend Caitie modeling hers (a co-worker of Elaine's made the necklaces).  Each also received a wooden hanger for their bridesmaid's dress that Elaine stenciled with their names.  The girls loved the bags, necklaces and hangers. 

Here's a pic of the new deck all set up for the rehearsal dinner, which was decorated by the groom's mom Sandy and family, with an Italian theme.  We had 30 people on that deck with no crowding--except around the heater on the bench because it was a little cool that night and most of the girls were wearing dresses :)

I just stitched up a bag for Elaine that I will give her when they get back from their honeymoon.  The pattern calls for fusible fleece for the batting--otherwise about a fat quarter's worth of fabric is all that is required for both bag and lining (the lining folds over the top to form the casing for the tape).  It only took me about an hour to make the bag, including cutting out all the pieces.  Now I want one!