ByAnnie Top Voted
WINNER: Nancy G
PATTERN: Ultimate Travel Bag
THEIR STORY: “Years ago, I came across a sample bag during a Quilt "Shop Hop". The 
sample was made from linen fabric which had a vintage vibe and an unusual, fun mix of colors. I bought the bag pattern, the gorgeous main fabric, and coordinating fabrics. This fabric and pattern have lived in my craft room for years while I gathered the courage to tackle the project. In 2022, I made my first By Annie bags (Project Bags). I was so pleased with the results, that I decided it was finally time to make my linen bag. For the first time since purchasing it, I studied the pattern, and felt that it was very complicated. Having had success with my Project Bags, I decided to look for comparably sized By Annie bag patterns for my linen fabric, instead of chancing my beautiful fabric with the pattern I originally bought. The Ultimate Travel Bag 2.0 pattern seemed to be a good substitute, based on overall bag size and fabric requirements. I studied the videos and pattern for UTB, and determined that, if I was careful, I would have just enough fabric to make my bag. However, it would require a great deal of planning since my fabric is very directional, limited in yardage and now out of print. A crazy amount of fussy cutting and planning went into my UTB. I pieced the side strip with four separate fabric pieces before quilting it to the lining and Soft and Stable.
I even planned how the colors blended from the forest, to the meadows and hills from component to component. After cutting all my quilted fabric with literally inches to spare, image my horror when I discovered I had accidentally cut the zipper strip half an inch too short. I took a deep breath, asked for advice from ByAnnie staff and the ByAnnie Bag Maker FB group. After reviewing the helpful recommendations, I nervously proceeded with the final assembly of the bag. And it worked!!! I'm so happy with my bag! With precious little bits of remaining quilted fabrics, I plan on making a few small travel related accessories...perhaps a small Clam Up, a Call Me bag and the Quick Zip Case. A train trip on "Empire Builder" has long been on my bucket list. With any luck, it will be the first adventure with my UTB!"
WHAT WE LOVED: Our team member Nolan had this to say, "I really like the mix of patterns that almost paints a scene on the bag. Happily, this achieved the look I wanted. I fussy cut the trolley sleeve to have train cars on it, like trolleys. I fussy cut the pockets so that my favorite foxes would be featured on them."
WHAT THEY WON: $50 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
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Storyteller Award
WINNER: Sylvia C @sylvia.c.davis.9
PATTERN: Sidekick
THEIR STORY: "A Sidekick for my “sidekick!” My 82 year old dad has been a dairy farmer his whole life…. And yes, he STILL works! In fact, I had to wait until he got in from the barn this evening to take the bag to him. Ambulation is a challenge but put him on a tractor and he can go all day. He uses a walker in the house and was overjoyed with the bag I made, especially the ability to secure his drink inside. The flexible and cleverly designed mesh pockets inside the bag offer stability to a variety of items that might need to be held. Of course the fabric had to have cows on it but the directional print created some challenges. Thankfully the pattern addressed this situation and gave clear instruction for this instance. I also had to work a little harder with “fussy cutting” the pockets so the cows would be front and center, again the pattern gave allowance and there was enough play to get it right. Dad was so pleased with his one-of-a-kind, made-with-love “Sidekick!” (Pic included of him in his element, milking cows, about 50 years ago) Something I learned: I had never considered “outie” vs. “innie” curves. The add-on video was a wonderful complement to the project and really helped me learn the importance of pulling harder on the bias binding while sewing around the innie curves. It makes complete sense, I just had never considered it. The add-on video also made the zipper installation easy as pie. Many thanks to the By Annie team for another home run…. this pattern is a keeper… and you have helped make a difference in the quality of life of my sweet, hard working dad!"
WHAT THEY WON: $50 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
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Honorable Mention
WINNER: Kim G The Lazy Sewist @kimgthelazysewist
PATTERN: Changing Station
THEIR STORY: "I
love shortcuts! That is why I call myself, The Lazy Sewist. I will go
to great
lengths to save time sewing. Why? Because then I have more time
to sew! I know, I know, it "seemingly" defies logic, but so be it, that
is the current state of my gray matter. Okay, where were we? Oh, yes,
Changing Station. Okay, pretty much every female I know of child-bearing
years is pregnant, so it was time to pull out a few rabbits from my hat
and whip up Changing Stations all around. In order to do that, and to
reduce/reuse/recycle, my grandson dipped into my bag of "leftovers:"
quilted Soft & Stable remaining from previous projects, and selected
several pieces large enough for the project. I then got to work cutting
out the three quilted pieces for the Changing Station...until I had
enough for six! I paired them with velvet borders from Renaissance
Ribbons for the front pocket panels to give an elegant touch--pun,
intended. This is the first completed one of the bunch. The designer is
Gwenaelle Trolez and I just love her work--it has a real old-timey world
feel (yep, another pun!). I do my best thinking (and hence, sewing) at
night (plus, like many of you, I work a full-time gig to keep the roof
overhead), so my grandson likes to come into my "sewing hole" (that's
what he calls my sewing studio!) as soon as he's awake to see what I've
completed. If he approves of the results, he adorns them with his prized
Lego characters; or in this case, his ultimate nod of approval, the
Scorpion v Tarantual Trophy!"
I often won't stumble upon his
"Commemoratives" until late afternoon--and then I run to find my
phone/camera to document, document, document. I gotta get back to work,
so I don't get fired! Oh, wait, I am the boss. Hmmmm. I wonder how that
works!"
WHAT WE LOVED: Our team member Lee had this to say, "I like the jungle theme and material."
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
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Honorable Mention
WINNER: Debbie L
PATTERN: Out and About
THEIR STORY: “I took an excellent class at Sewing Machine Station in Brentwood, Tn. to make the Out and About backpack. I entered it in the Quilt Show and won 1st place in the Home Dec category. It was for my grand-daughter for Christmas. Isn't that why we all sew? To get those smiles on family faces! I'm happy to say she loves it. She got the 'award winning' backpack - but I kept the ribbon! LOL!"
WHAT WE LOVED: Our team member Jacque had this to say, "That is such an adorable bag for a super adorable little girl. Love The bag and the pics."
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
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Honorable Mention
WINNER: Katie H
PATTERN: Night and Day
THEIR STORY:"I look forward to the Wednesday afternoon presentations. When I saw the premier of "Night and Day," I knew it was the perfect pattern for a much needed new purse. I ordered it right away and started immediately. I now use this purse every day and love it. I added a couple of security features (such as internal D rings in the slip pocket so that I could clip my phone on a curly lanyard.) I can organize my wallet, change and keys in one side and my toiletries, pens and miscellaneous items in the other side. I can get to what I need right away! It was also very easy to make."
WHAT WE LOVED:Our team member Casey had this to say, "This is a great photo I really like the fabric choice."
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
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Honorable Mention
WINNER: Janet W www.facebook.com/janet.widmer
PATTERN: Swithback
THEIR STORY: "I had made many Ultimate Travel Bags and wanted to try something different. I liked the look of Switchback and how the fabrics were alternated around the bag. This bag had some challenges for me, but I loved every minute of making it! After successfully getting through each challenge I had a feeling of accomplishment. This bag actually made me realize that I underestimate my skill level. I learned a lot of the skills & techniques by making all those travel bags. Switchback taught me a couple new ones. Understitching was new for me. Whew! I made it through that zipper on the outside front pocket! Over the past few years I have given away many Ultimate Travel Bags as gifts. I have decided that Switchback is going to be a gift that I will give to myself!"
WHAT WE LOVED: Our team member David had this to say, "Janet's photo was so good. I loved the snow in the back. The fabric really stood out!"
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
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A special "thank you" to everyone who submitted to this photo contest. We had a wonderful time viewing submissions and reading your stories. We look forward to sharing as many of them as possible on our social media.
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January 2023 Photo Contest Winner