Kitten Around Block Sew Along - Mommy and Me Totebags!

Have you heard about my latest paper piecing pattern bundle - The Kitten Around Block
and the accompanying sew along (with prizes!) going on now?!

If you're new to the show, welcome!
Pop on over to the Kitten Around Sew Along post to learn all about
how you can win a $100 fabric shopping spree from Whimsy Quilts,
and sew up some adorable cats in the process!

Now, for the fun part of the sew along - featuring amazing sewers and their projects!!

Today I would like to share with you a guest post from Kate Basti,
quilter and crafter extraordinaire!
I just love her use of bright colors and bold fabrics
and her current #happymaildayquilt is just the cheeriest thing!

Now, I'll let Kate tell you all about her project with the Kitten Around Block pattern -
and adorable Mommy and Me totebag set!



Hello! I’m Kate. I’m a graphic designer, entrepreneur, quilter, crafter and lover of all things colorful. I’m taking over Michael Ann’s blog today to share with you a project I created using one of her new Kitten Around Block patterns.

First off, I’d like to thank Michael Ann for giving me the opportunity to test her new patterns and including me in this wonderful sew along! When she approached me about working with her Kitten Around Block patterns, I knew immediately what I wanted to create. I absolutely love a great tote bag. I use them when running errands, carrying my daughter’s gear for dance class, toting around my knitting projects. They’re a quick, fun make, and my daughter is always commenting about how much she wishes she had one, too. So when I saw the Pretty Kitty pattern, I knew it would be the purrfect (ha!) pattern to create matching “Mommy and Me” tote bags.



I’ve worked with plenty of paper-piecing patterns, and I can honestly say that Michael Ann’s patterns are beautifully written. The instructions are crystal clear and her pattern pieces leave no guess work. The Pretty Kitty pattern is quick and easy, with each kitty face taking only a few minutes to complete. I kept my fabric choices relatively simple so as not to distract from the shape of the pattern. I shrunk the pattern to 90% for my tote bag to accommodate four kitten faces, but I kept the single kitten face used on my daughter’s smaller tote bag at 100%. I added some simple hand stitched whiskers to each kitty for just a bit more character.

The tote bag pattern is my own. It’s just a simple, basic tote. Typically, I use canvas when making totes, but since I was using quilting cotton, I gave the bag more stability by using fusible fleece on the exterior pieces and added SF101 to the linings. The back of each tote is a beautiful double gauze by Birch.



This was a wonderfully fun project, and my daughter is beyond thrilled with her little tote. She immediately filled it with her favorite ponies and books and proudly announced that we matched.

Thanks again, Michael Ann, for allowing me to be a part of the fun, and many congrats on your wonderful new patterns!



Thank YOU miss Kate for making such an adorable project with my pattern!
Aren't those little embroidered whiskers just the sweetest/smartest addition?

To get started on your own Kitten Around Block project,
pop over to my Etsy shop and download your pattern

Then be sure to post a photo of your project to Instagram with the tag #KittenAroundBlock
for your chance to win $100 in fabric from Whimsy Quilts!

I just can't wait to see what you sew up!