Welcome to my version of the Canada 150 – In the Bag! Blog Tour. I’m pretty stoked to be part of it as the designers and participants (bloggers) are Canadian, with most of the fabric being bought in Canada, wherever possible. The tour started on Sunday, June 4th and goes to June 10th. There’s a huge giveaway, details of which are at the end of the post. Additionally I have two prizes to giveaway here.
Prize Update June 9th, 2017 @ 2100hrs:
22 people have signed up to my blog. Thank you all so much. This post has drawn an awful lot of people to my site. I hope they continue to come, read, and enjoy.
I have given all the followers a number, including those who are already on the list. There are 37 all told. I am not publishing the list as some are registered by email.
The random generator for a metre of the BC tartan is Essence Underwood.
The random number generator for the Forest Glen Satchel pattern is Luiza Marinela
I have both emails so will been touch to arrange your prizes. Thank you all for joining in the fun! Happy Canada 150 to you all!!
- If I get 10 people to sign up to my somewhat infrequent blog, I will send the lucky person a metre of the BC Tartan fabric used in my bag. Do sign up or I will have to make a BC tartan top to wear on Canada Day!
- I will also randomly draw a number from the comments, with that person being sent the Forest Glen Satchel pattern. It has been donated by Thread Riding Hood and is a pdf pattern. It will need downloading and printing off before use.
I live in BC and am proud of it. As such I thought I’d celebrate our country’s 150th anniversary by making a bag using my provincial tartan. A bit about the tartan … British Columbia’s official tartan was designed in 1966, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1866 union of Vancouver Island and British Columbia (who knew?). Its main colours are blue and red, for the Pacific Ocean and the maple leaf. A variety of greens represents forests. Tiny hints of white for the province’s official flower, the Pacific Dogwood, and gold from the sun in the provincial coat of arms. The more research I did, the more I realised everything comes back to nature here.
Six more of BC’s symbols are the Dogwood flower, Jade (natural gemstone), Salmon, Stellar Jay, Western Red Cedar, and Spirit or Kermode Bear. For more information follow this link History of BC influences.
Did you know BC has 3 different tartans? There are the Ancient colours, the Modern Colours and the Reproduction Colours. I used the modern tartan, and you can see the different colours here. The tartan I bought from Fabricland in Kamloops is a cotton blend and actually looks quite different to the wooly one. It’s a fine clothing fabric. As such I interfaced it to give it more structure and prevent those squares from distorting! In real life its a cherry red. Sadly my photos don’t all bring through those vivid hues.
But on to the bag … My bag is the Forest Glen Satchel; quite appropriate for my theme and designed by Thread Riding Hood. Sherri, the owner and designer is lovely, and has kindly donated to the Big Giveaway, and again through my blog. She has some good patterns including a few freebies if you want to try them out before buying anything. One feature I learned was how to make the strap so the slider lays across my back. I wasn’t aware beforehand that it was side dependent. Now I know! The instructions are clear and it came together in many parts before assembly for the final item.
I made the bag twice, not because I made some goofs with the first one – no, that happened with the second one. I wanted to make sure the tartan would work within the confines of the pattern. As it happens I love the bag and will definitely be using it more. I altered the second bag to add some features and am pleased with the results.
My first bag is my spring bag. It has vibrant hues and the left over poppy fabric is from a dress I’d made. I actually bought it to make bedroom curtains but my husband vetoed that. He’s not a morning person … need I say more? The lovely yellow rose fabric was a birthday present from a friend. Yellow roses are a known as friendship roses. Thank you Lita. I like light coloured linings, as it makes it easier to identify those ‘lost’ items hidden in the depths of my bags.
To be honest the size is great, and if I had a small person at home I’d put back pack straps on it and it would be a good child’s back pack. Internally the bag has an open pocket, which I split into two, with one of the slots being sized for my trusty iPhone. The other one takes whatever paraphernalia I need to keep separate.
I thought making the second bag was going to be a breeze, but there’s a lot going on (like moving), and my brain has been in overdrive mode. I made mistakes and did a lot of unpicking. It’s not usually a problem, but as I said earlier the fabric is quite fine and I had to be careful not to pull (too many) threads. This pattern uses four fabrics, which I initially chose to match the tartan. The more I read about BC’s history, the more I realised I wanted to include some of my personal BC influences, so the fabrics changed.
I chose to put Mr Moose on the accent corners, side chevrons and inside flap. Moose are amazing animals and my son’s nickname was Moose for a long time. My husband saw a moose the first time we visited Sun Peaks. It was a sign to move here.
BC has one of the largest bear populations in the world. We have a lot of black bears, though grizzly bears aren’t local. Its lovely watching bears from afar. I used a lovely bear Batiq fabric as the lining. With all that busyness I decided the strap should be plain to match the tartan fabric.
I like a boxy firm bag and used car headliner fabric instead of fleece. I often quilt the headliner in, but using Heat n Bond secured the headliner to the fabric, adding more structure, meaning I didn’t need the other layer of interfacing. Bonus!
My hacks? I added a zippered pocket to the inside front. It is invaluable for secreting stuff. My bag is always full, and scrambling round for keys is a pain, so I put swivel hooks in every bag I make; they are one of my essentials. Lastly I put feet on the bottom. They were a breeze to install; so much so I don’t know why I hadn’t done it it before! I bought my hardware locally at Katja’s Quilt Shoppe, but you can buy it on line from its’ source, Emmaline Bags. I meant to add a lovely Emmaline “Made in Canada’ label but forgot to. Darn!!
That’s it from me. I hope you enjoyed reading about my satchel and learned a bit about my adopted homeland in the process. I was given the Forest Glen Satchel pattern to use in this blog, but nothing else was required from me. Here is a list of the sponsors … and below that the giveaway instructions and other blog tour links. Enjoy! Please also check out Sherri’s blog post here
Each blog has an exclusive giveaway, so be sure to visit them all.
Tour Discounts
- 10% off!
Tangled Blossoms Design is offering 10% off anything in stock for the duration of the tour. Offer expires June 10, 2017. Use discount code HAPPYBIRTHDAYCANADA
- 15% off!
Bringberry Handbag Hardware and Design is offering 15% off anything in stock for the duration of the tour. Offer expires June 10, 2017. Use discount code LOVECANADA150
Tour Stops
(These links will be active on and after the day they are scheduled.)
June 4
June 5
Tangled Blossoms Design ◊ With Love in Every Stitch ◊ Happy Okapi
June 6
Michelle’s Creations ◊ Barabooboo ◊ Soca Sewing
June 7
Glitter in my Coffee ◊ Michelle’s Creations ◊ Seam of my Pants
June 8
Seam of my Pants ◊ Creative Roots Sewing ◊ Happy Okapi
June 9
June 10
Giveaway ends at midnight EDT (North America)
July 1
CANADA DAY 150
Giveaway Prizes
- Grand Prize: 2 PDF patterns from Blue Calla Patterns, $50 voucher from Bringberry Handbag Hardware and Design, $40 voucher from Fabric Please
- Second Prize: 2 PDF patterns from Blue Calla Patterns, $35 voucher from Emmaline Bags, $25 voucher from MM Cork Supply
- Third Prize: $50 voucher from Blackbird Fabrics
- $30 voucher to spend on any in stock fabrics from Tangled Blossoms Design, 1 Pattern from Thread Riding Hood
- $25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 Pattern, plus hardware kit from Emmaline Bags
- $25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 PDF Pattern from Thread Riding Hood
- $25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 PDF Pattern from FABulous Home Sewn
- $25 voucher from Fabric Please, 1 PDF Pattern from FABulous Home Sewn
- $30 voucher from Sitka Fabrics
- $25 voucher from MM Cork Supply
- Ooh La La Jewellery* bag pattern & hardware kit from Among Brenda’s Quilts (Includes shipping within Canada & USA.)
- A selection of items for bag making from Flare Fabrics (Includes shipping within Canada.)
- $25 voucher from Stay Home Fabrics
- $25 voucher from Funky Monkey Fabrics
- Store credit for 1 yard of custom knit from Crookshanks Custom Textiles
- Store credit equal to one meter of custom knit plus one meter of solid from Midnight Mountain Fabrics
Please join us in thanking our tour sponsors by visiting their websites.
* Jewellery is the Canadian spelling.
Wow! How cool?! Embarrassingly I have never been to Canada but I will have to take a trip there one day.
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You are all always welcome
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Love it Patricia! I didn’t think of adding feet. What a great idea. And the zippered pocket inside is a must for sure. Love your inspiration. Thank you for featuring a beautifully made bag!
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You are very welcome. Thank you for designing it!
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Awesome bag! I love BC – my grandma used to live out in Nanimo and I loved visiting her! Moose and I don’t get along – we had an upclose and personal confrontation when we were moving to Newfoundland! But I love bears even the ones I have met along the trail! Thanks for the great blog post!
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Thank you so much. I don’t want a close encounter with any wildlife!
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Love the bag! Happy Sesquicentennial! BC’s tartan is very pretty.
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Great post! Your bags are both lovely, and the history behind the tartan was great to read. Thank you.
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Thank you so much!
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What a wonderful blog. I too, loved the history. Many thanks for for the info…and the amazing celebration you’re allowing us to join in!
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An interesting blog. Beautiful tartans –
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I love the moose accents. I am in Ontario, but I hope to travel to BC one day.
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I feel the same way about Ontario. I must go visit
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I love your bag but the moose fabric inside is my favourite. Glad to know I am not the only one who needs the line” Now is the time to insert your Handmade Label” in all my pattern instructions
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😂
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My fav is also the moose fabric – very cute!
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Nice bag. Love the colors.
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Ahh the bears, so exciting. Thanks for all the info on the tartan too, interesting read.
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I love the bag that you made! I live in Alberta and would love to sign up for your blog, but I couldn’t see any place to do that. Thanks!
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Let me find out how and I will get back to you.
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Love the Tartan, makes a great bag.
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It does doesn’t it!
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Enjoyed your blog post on the history of the tartan and your satchel is amazing. Fabrics are lovely! Thank you for the great giveaway and the chance to win.
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Thank you. It was a joy to make the satchel
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You are so welcome. Thanks for stopping by
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I loved your bag and reading about some of your BC history. I have to admit that second bear picture startled me when I finally noticed where the bear was.
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Our bears are very inquisitive. I keep my front door locked as they can open a door easily!
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Thanks for sharing the bag you made and the changes you made. Always inspiring to see where another’s mind “goes” upon seeing a pattern. I’m a BC girl so know how beautiful it is here. I did not know all the tartan trivia though!
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Thanks. The research was a fun part and hugely influenced me
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Loved the tartan history! One of my best friends is Canadian but I’ve never been! It’s definitely on the bucket list!
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Come on over. It’s an amazing country.
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thanks so much for sharing about BC, I’m born and raised in Sry, 4 generations from BC-back to the 1800’s-, and i had No idea we had a tartan, lol. I’m sharing this on fb to show my sis, she’s in Florida lucky girl. Truly a great blog post I’ll be following you for sure
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Thank you so much! I learned a lot about our history.
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Great bag! I have feet I’ve never added to a bag – gonna have to do that soon.
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They were so easy to add I was amazed. Do try it!
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Love the bag. The corners are real show stoppers.
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A little accent makes a load of difference doesn’t it?
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I never knew BC had 3 tartans and I love both your bags they’re fabulous!
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Wow! Thanks Fiona
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Pretty bags, I loved your bear picture, and explanation about the tartan, it is beautiful fabric.
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Oh the plaids are so beautiful. And love the bag. looks like a fantastic pattern.
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It’s certainly worth making so do give it a go!
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Love the Canadian tartans.
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Wow! I had no clue BC had its own tartan, not to mention three variations of it!
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Your post was such a delight to read. You inspired me. And thanks for warning me not to drink before viewing that picture. I surely would have made myself dizzy (ier than usual.)
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It was all lined up nicely until I put the flap through… lesson learned!
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I love the lining you used in your bag! I’ve never visited canada before, I didn’t know you guys had tartan!
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We do! They are lovely! Do come to The Great White North – it’s a lovely place
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Love the fabric and bags, interesting to hear the history behind the fabric.
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Beautiful bag! I’m in Ontario and would live to visit BC. It looks so beautiful
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Love the tartan bag…Gives me an idea to make one with the Morrison Tartan.
Happy 150 🇨🇦!
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My son is a Morrison- maybe he needs man bag
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Beautiful bag! What a fun place to live
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Thanks
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I definitely want to visit British Columbia. I live in Colorado sp not really very far.
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You ought to! It’s a lovely place
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Love the moose on your lining, it is so Canadian. I’ll be passing your way soon, and I’ll wave as I fly by.
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What fun to see everyone up north.
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Your bag is perfection! I really really love it. I love tartans, and I love Thread Riding Hood patterns. 🙂
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So cute!!! I have that pattern too.
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Great bag, I love plaids of all colors. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for the chance to win! I’m also in beautiful BC
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Thanks for the info about the BC tartans – I’ve lived here in BC all my life and didn’t know BC had 1 tartan let alone 3. Love the moose on the bag!
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What great bags! Beautiful. Canada seems like a fun place to live. Lucky!
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Wow, you did a fantastic job! I really love what you did with the moose and accents!
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Thank you!
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I’m a BC Girl and enjoyed all the trivia – thank you! I love the bag too.
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I am Franco american and didn’t know anything about the tartan relationship! Always thought tartan was recognizing those of Irish, Scottish decent. Where have I been? in the clouds somewhere. Thanks for sharing
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You are so welcome. I learned lots too!
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Love the red plaid plus the moose lining.
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That’s a wild tartan! Love your bag,, too
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It was fun reading your tidbits about BC! I was just up in Victoria for my 50th bday surprise trip two weeks ago and had fun at the big celebration there. (great bag also)
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Great bag!
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