It happened... my love of fabric and quilting as collided with my love of collecting bags hahaha

A few months back the Jaftex Brand Ambassadors group partnered with Patterns By Annie to test our bag sewing skills (in my case.. my lack of skills as this was my first). Inspired by the season of "Back to school" projects for fall, participants were sent a bundle of mystery fabrics and ALL of the supplies (including the pattern) from ByAnnie. 

The pattern I selected was the MJs Messenger Bag, and the fabrics... the Find Your Path collection from Maureen Fiorellini from Studio E Fabrics! (These fabrics are seriously the cutest and by far my favorite ambassador collection)

I wrote a blog post about this collection which can be found here. --Also, side note on that.. there are actually THREE free patterns that come with this collection! *Thanks Maureen!*

Also if you are joining us for the Find Your Path Blog Tour, be sure to scroll all the way through to get some awesome inspiration projects and links to some amazing makers!!

For this project I knew I wanted to showcase some specific prints from this collection... These prints to be exact

With that in mind, and with my supplies delivered from the awesome team at ByAnnie, I began my journey..

I don't want to give away too much information on the pattern itself, but here you can see some of my progress shots. 

I recommend going slow, reading through the pattern before you start cutting! Her patterns also come with cut-out section markers. This was incredibly helpful when trying to keep everything as organized as possible. I HIGHLY recommend that you mark which piece goes to which section!!

Working in sections really helped me to follow along with the directions. If you have ever used a ByAnnie pattern you know that they are DETAILED. On her website you can also purchase the Ad-On videos that will help walk you through each stage. When i went to her website however, I did not find the Ad-On option for this messenger bag.. but I DID find a tutorial on Craftsy! This was a GODSEND when making this bag.

This was by far the hardest but most rewarding bag creating project I have ever done. My daughter (pictured above) loved it too! (Kids can make the best cheerleaders <3) 

Find Your Path Blog Tour - Plus a FREE GIVEAWAYS! 

Day 1 - November 1st: Maureen Fiorellini | @maureenmaker | Blog Post

Day 1 - November 1st: Aimee Wilson | @sewingscientist | Blog Post

Day 2- November 2nd: Jenny Unger | @fabfabricgirl

Day 2- November 2nd: Marija Vujcic | @maraquiltdesigns

Day 2- November 2nd: Jamie McPheeters| @jamiesquiltstudio

Day 3- November 3rd: Michelle Haskell | @lovebloomsquilts

Day 3- November 3rd: Janiel Corley | @quiltingwithlove

Day 4- November 4th: Kristen Saffle | @sewcialintrovert

Day 4- November 4th: Autumn Shatto | @geometryandjoy

Day 4- November 4th: Leah Lunsford | @houseofjunebug

Day 5 November 5th: Emily Maxwell | @marthajanecreations

Day 5 November 5th: Mary Burroughs-Mayer | @embercraftcompany

Day 6 November 6th: Deb Zaleski | @sproutingjubejube

Day 6 November 6th: Amanda Whisman | @bemandythings

Day 7 November 7th: Jennifer Bergstrom | @aquiltingadventure

Day 7 November 7th: Maureen Fiorellini | @maureenmaker

Geometry and Joy will be sponsoring a giveaway prize! 4 spools of thread that perfectly compliment this fabric collection!

Giveaway rules will be posted each day, please follow for maximum chance of winning.