Friday, October 7, 2011

Deploy That Fabric Blog Tour

Several of my friends have books coming out and have asked me to share them with you. Today it's Deploy That Fabric by Jen Eskridge and brought to you by Stash books. Jen is a fellow Kansas gal and a military wife and mom. Reuse, recycle, remember is the theme of her book. Jen shares projects that use recycled uniforms and at the same time honor our guys and gals in uniform.
The projects are mostly simple small projects and there are some great bags.  I'm not a skilled bag maker, so simple, straightforward bags appeal to me.  Love the hardware on this one!
I think my favorite project in the book is the simplest, these little notecards.  Simple, but powerful.  Can you imagine children making a card from their own clothes or even a uniform to send to a parent far away.  It's like sending a part of you.  Genius.
I also love that she included a technique section.  It's great to be able to learn things even though I may not make a specific project.  There are some good zipper instructions in here!
Jen and Stash have offered a book and a Camo-quilt Eco Messenger bag to one of my readers.  Leave a comment for a chance to win.  Are you a bag lady...guy?  What's your experience making bags? I'll choose a winner Sunday evening, 6:00 central time.  (international folks are welcome....your prize will be an ebook!)
The next stop on the tour is My Bragg Bag.  Check it out for another chance to win!

92 comments:

jlk said...

I love making bags! This book looks terrific.

FlourishingPalms said...

I enjoy making bags, and have made enough of them that I now know how to add interior and exterior pockets when a pattern is missing those features. As well, I'm always on the look-out for bags that have a closure, in my mind, a necessity for security's sake. Thanks for the chance to win this nice giveaway. Should I win, I'll be sharing it with members of my MQG.

krislovesfabric said...

Would love to try the patterns, I am a very hesitant bag-maker, I like the results tho! Thanks for the chance!

Simone de Klerk said...

I'm a real bag maker thanks to Stephanie at Loft Creations. Her patterns are perfect and now I seem to be able to make any kind of bag.
What a great idea for a new book!

Fulvia said...

Congratulations on the book and the impetus behind it. Thanks for the chance to win it.

Linda said...

I would love to be a bag lady ;). I haven't made one yet but I want to!! Oh and that book looks super neat!

Anonymous said...

I have a real bag addiction, so need to learn how to make them!

Maggie.barber@gmail.com

EG said...

I AM a bag lady, and I've made 2 bags.

Well, if you don't count the drawstring bags I whip up on Christmas to contain the millions of tiny toys that invade!

Flaun said...

I love bags, but haven't made many, so far.

Greenstylemom said...

Being in a military town (Colorado springs!), I'd live to have this book to share with some of my military family friends

JoyceLM said...

I'm still a wantabee in the bag-making department. I've collected lots of bag patterns & I flag them in my quilt books & magazines. So one day... Thanks for the giveaway.

Quiltsmiles said...

Jacquelyn,
What an interesting book and unique idea. Would love to see the other items possible with this book. Must be pillows, throws, and some personal items, bags, toiletry bag, organizers... just guessing would be thrilled to win it, thanks for the chance. Jane

mek said...

What I love about making bags is that more people see them than see my quilts - and it is fun to talk with people about the bag. Plus, I feel very virtuous when I make something so useful. ;) This book looks great, and I love the idea.

liberal sprinkles said...

I love the idea of this book. I also love bags! I've made mostly smaller purses.

Mary P said...

I've made a few bags but wouldn't call myself an expert. I do get a lot of compliments on the diaper bag I made though!

Brenna said...

Haven't tackled many bags yet, looks like a fun book!

Lori E said...

This looks like a great book. I haven't made a bag for years and would like to jump back in to bag making with a simple, strait forward pattern. Thanks for the chance to win.

wintunancy said...

I love the reuse, recycle, remember theme of this book. Thanks to you both for a chance to own a copy.

Cheryl Arkison said...

I've loved the concept behind this book since I heard about it. So great!
Bags? For as much as I love fabric and pattern, I'm not going to make my own bag. I prefer bright, solid colours on my purses.

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

I love the homemade bags and right now...I seem to be making backpacks as purses! Thanks for the chance to win!

connie said...

I love to reuse fabrics. This sounds like a wonderful book.

Kathy H said...

My girls all like the purses I make them. But have not tried a zipper purse yet. The book sounds like it would have some good directions to try one with a zipper.

audreypawdrey said...

This sounds like a really great book! I like making my own bags, and it would be great to make my cousin, who is a military wife, a new bag for Christmas!

nrnoodle said...

What a great book. I love making bags. I make quite a few bags from my husbands uniforms. I also like to make quilts from them. I would love to win this book to have more great ideas.

Gunilla said...

Great idea to use oldfabric! Makes me inspired to make a bag, but what model? Hmmm...
Gunilla in a sunny Göteborg in Sweden

Cami said...

I enjoy making bags. It's nice to be able to make a custom item.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I love making bags but trying to narrow down the fabric choices can be tricky - there's so much lovely stuff out there!! Thanks for the giveaway!

LizA. said...

I love to make bags and all my nieces love messenger bags so this book would be put to good use.

Sharon said...

I've made totes but not a bag. It's probably about time I tried that.

Gill said...

I love bags - all kinds of bags!
This looks a great book - I'd love to win a copy!

Heather, Neilson, Grace & Creighton said...

Oh do I ever need this book. I have a huge box of DH's old uniforms and need some ideas to use them up.

DianeY said...

I was never into bags too much until about 2 months ago & now it's been non-stop! Love it & am actively seeking new ideas!

Anonymous said...

I enjoy making bags but haven't made one in a while.

Alli said...

I like making bags! I'm still choosing patterns that are pretty easy, though -- no Amy Butler bags for me yet. :D

Jenny said...

i have little experience with making bags...would love to learn!

Anonymous said...

Looks like a great way to use my husband's old uniforms!

audrey said...

sounds very intriguing!

Laura said...

I have been drooling over that book. I want it, need it...

Nancy said...

I haven't made a bag yet, but really want to!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I've made 3 totes 2 the same, but I must admit I find it very confusing.

Anonymous said...

I've made a couple of bags - what fun ideas. -Shawn (slp733 at gmail dot com)

Doris said...

I've seen those messenger bags in our LQS--very cute! I am definitely a bag girl and the most recent book purchase was for making bags as a matter of fact!

Pat V. said...

I have not made any bags yet, but this books looks to have some good ones! Thanks for the chance to win.

Unknown said...

Oh, this book looks really neat! I love bag patterns!

Marcia W. said...

I love the quilts in the book and - ahem - have not yet made a bag. Thanks for the stop on the blog tour and chance to enter the giveaway.

monique said...

I love bags! I spend a lot on money on them but have never gotten up the courage to try and make one. I LOVE the the bag with the hardware that you featured. Deploy that fabric has great ideas!

hueisei said...

I loves making bag...would love to try this book..thanks!

Living in the Bay said...

I love making bags,totes, craft bags, purses, zipper pouches, book bags, etc. My favorites are totes made from recycled Waverly valences for friends and friends of friends undergoing cancer treatments. They work up quickly because they're already lined! I fill them with a water bottle, journal, pen, gift card, and warm wishes.

Ella said...

I just made a pouch for the first time yesterday with a zipper! I've made a couple of purses in the past. Now a whole new world of possibilities is open!

Mindy said...

I love getting a new bag, as far as making one???? I've bought a pattern and the material and that's as far as I've gotten :)

Arita said...

I've made several mesh bags and a few grocery bags. It's a fun project to do. Thanks for a great giveaway.

Jules said...

i've only made tote bags. nothing too fancy.

Jill said...

I've made some bags, but never a messenger bag. I would love this book. I reuse and recycle often.

Marg M said...

I love making bags and the messenger bag looks fab

MightyMom said...

I am SUCH a bag lady!! I collect them! I hoard them!! I love them! from the biggest sturdiest to the plastic grocery bags that I have to hide from my husband!

But, I have never made one.

I do have some my grandmother made......
hmm, never thought about that. nope. I have never made a bag. odd.

Beth said...

The only sewing I do is piecing quilts. I'm always impressed with anyone who can sew anything dimensional and I treasure the bags others have sewn for me.

wordygirl at earthlink dot net

Troops 1909 and 5434 said...

I like the reuse Idea of this book. Sign me up.

Cindy said...

This is really unique- I've not seen anything like this. Would love to try some of the projects! Thanks!

Julia Graber said...

What a unique book. Jen's mil is in my PTQ guild.

Mom C said...

Until this year I attended so many conferences where I got a carry all that I haven't needed a big bag. But I gave away most of my carry alls and I'll not be going to the conferences so I can start sewing cute, fun and interesting bags. After I finish my WIP quilts!

Sheila said...

You can never have too many bags....eventually "Paper or plastic?" will be a thing of the past. So I'm making LOTS to be prepared! Thanks for the chance to win!

pj4beck said...

Oh my, what a wonderful idea!! Having a daughter and a son-in-law who are both in the USAF, this really touched my heart! Having them so far away, it would be so special to carry a little of them with me! Wonder if they can spare any old uniforms?? Lovely idea!!!!
Peggy
pj4beck@yahoo.com

Candace said...

What a great idea for a book! My father-in-law is in the army, and wants me to make him an army quilt. Maybe I could pry an old jacket from him and add in some modern fabrics (my style) to his quilt.

Sally Langston Warren said...

I enjoy making quilts and simple bags. Have a bunch of my late brother's old Army uniforms to use.Would love some new ideas. Thanks for the opp to wina copy of the new book. It sounds inspiring! Sally jspwarrenataoldotcome

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

I love making bags! I like to change my purse out to suit my mood or the season or both. It's easier to get what I want/need by making it myself. Lately I have fallen in love with making quilted tote bags.

Anita said...

This is my third attempt to post a comment! NOt sure what I am doing wrong...I would LOVE this book as all three of my sons enlisted in the military after 9/11. Two served 5 years, one continues to serve and is currently in Afghanistan on his fourth war deployment (it's my 9th as a mom). I have a bunch of uniforms in bins in my basement and could put this book to good use!

Michele Bilyeu said...

I love making bags and all of mine are homemade. I'm a morsbagger..make simple cloth bags and spontaneously give them away to anyone I run into..even strangers. I have made as many as 30 at a time and given them away. It more than surprises others and teaches them that we can make and give using recycled materials and green shopping all the way. I have watched this camo movement for a long time and always wished I had a camo bag. Would LOVE both the book and the bag and put them to optimum use.

Anonymous said...

fun projects, would love to try some out and could really use the zipper tute.

geez bees 75 at gmail dot com

Lee said...

Bags make such great gifts and are very useful! I love to make them! thanks for the review and giveaway.

Rhonda the Rambler said...

I have some experience making bags and I love it! I love the army bag pictured on your blog. Thanks for sharing.

Kathy S. said...

I don't have much experience making bags. I'd love to learn! I made a couple of gym bags in high school (30 years ago). I also made a little purse this year, but it was soooooo little it is now a thread catcher. Grrrr. Help! I need help making bags! Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

Haven't made too many bags, but would love this book as a great resource. The one you pictured is really cute!

Lyanna said...

Haven't made a bag since high school, but hoping that will change soon! I need some new bags, and it might be time for some sewing for me ;)

Would love to win this book!

Kylie Carlson said...

I made a duffle bag for my brother's birthday and was amazed at how easy it was. Everyone loved it and I'm collecting supplies to make one for all the kids for Christmas. The best part of the plan- I put the rest of the gift in the duffle and don't have to wrap a thing.

Indianna said...

I love to make bags and I also make up bag kits to give to friends. Love to recycle fabric too - lovely book.

Shirley said...

I love bags and what could be more special than one of these. What a great idea. :)

Barbara said...

Last bag I made was a diaper bag for my daughter and she just turned 18, but with my son in the Guard, this book intrigues me :)

JustPam said...

My son is in the Army and I would love to win this book to get ideas of things to make for him and for the troops. I try to make items to add to care packages that are sent to the troops and this may have some good ideas for me.

Anonymous said...

Haven't made a bag yet but I want to!

Ashley said...

This is so much fun! I am excited about this book. My best friend's husband is in the Army and she has been making little bags and purses from his old uniforms. Maybe I'll get one of these books for her!

Kristin L said...

I've been making art quilts with camo fabric, but I love the sturdy wearability of bags made from camo. I've got one that's lasted me years. It would be great to make another one inspired by the book.

Marisa said...

I love making bags too. Military style is something I've never tried, but sounds pretty cool.

ann said...

When I first saw the title I thought this book was one I'd skip. But now you've shown it I think this one needs to join my ever growing library. Thanks for the chance to win.

Lorri said...

I have not tried making bags yet. I will be this wk. Starting on christmas projects.
Thanks for the giveaway.

patty a. said...

I haven't made a lot of bags although I tested a pattern for someone and I enjoyed the experiece. I like the bag you showed - nice a big!

Nanbon44 said...

my daughter is such a bag lady.

Patrick said...

My wife just told me last night that I have to make her a bag...now I need help :)
thanks!
patrick
straightstitchingsinger.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Who dosen't use bags, the difference is is it a plastic ugly one or a "designer" bag. I prefer the ones I can make. They also make fantastic gift

Deb said...

I've never made a bag! But I am definitely a bag lady! Love them! Friends give them to me!

Jennie said...

Are the entries for this drawing closed? I'd love to get my hands on this book!

Jeanne Gwin said...

I have a cousin who has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan 6 or 7 times. His wife is gathering up Desert Storm and Green Camo as we speak as well as extra patches, name tags, pictures, etc. I think this book if fabulous. Thanks for the chance to win.

Rose M. said...

I love making bags! I have yet to find the perfect purse/bag. I am to bags what alot of women are to shoes. I think this book was a great idea.