For those who like to sew

[willyb]

The bag is 14"x14" on the bottom, 14" high. The 4 side pannels tapper up from 14" to 7" Holds about 7 Gallons of soil. Has a filter fabric liner inside. Planted with Tumbler and Sungold tomatoes.

One of my wifes latest quilts

[Zana]

Willy,

Great idea! Love it. Have some questions about construction.

So the bag is almost pyramidal? With a 14" square base tapering to a 7" square top opening? Was the liner attached /sewn in or is it removable? How long are the straps and what did you use to make those? The fabric liner - does it hold the water in or does it all seep out when its watered?

Was wondering about tweaking it with the following ideas (please remember these are just ideas I came up with in the few minutes after seeing your posted pics.)....
Sew the outer bag in a heavy outdoor vinyl fabric able to stand up to extended sun exposure. Use fabric geared to making outdoor cushions for patio furniture.
Around the base about 1 inch up from the seam add 1/4" grommets at 4" intervals for drainage.
Add a pocket seam above the base seam, inserting a stiff but flexible flat slat to hold the bag more in a "round" shape. Do the same around the top.

Fabulous Quilt! I love the choice of colours with a traditional pattern. Does your wife do it all by machine or does she do the actual quilting part by hand and the construction by machine?

Thanks for sharing.

Zana
Use nylon mesh strapping for the handles for added strength.

[willyb]

Originally Posted by Zana

Willy,

Great idea! Love it. Have some questions about construction.

So the bag is almost pyramidal? With a 14" square base tapering to a 7" square top opening? Was the liner attached /sewn in or is it removable? How long are the straps and what did you use to make those? The fabric liner - does it hold the water in or does it all seep out when its watered?

Was wondering about tweaking it with the following ideas (please remember these are just ideas I came up with in the few minutes after seeing your posted pics.)....
Sew the outer bag in a heavy outdoor vinyl fabric able to stand up to extended sun exposure. Use fabric geared to making outdoor cushions for patio furniture.
Around the base about 1 inch up from the seam add 1/4" grommets at 4" intervals for drainage.
Add a pocket seam above the base seam, inserting a stiff but flexible flat slat to hold the bag more in a "round" shape. Do the same around the top.

Fabulous Quilt! I love the choice of colours with a traditional pattern. Does your wife do it all by machine or does she do the actual quilting part by hand and the construction by machine?

Thanks for sharing.

Zana
Use nylon mesh strapping for the handles for added strength.

Zana,

Thanks for the comments and input. We are experimenting and will build a few different designs. We have 4 more since the one in the pic, all different. I have drawn up one with a round bottom and 6 side segments. I like the round, pear shape look.

Yes the shape is pyramidal. Changes to bulbous when filled with soil. The liner is not sewn in.

The straps extend 12” above the top of the bag. It is a type of nylon, ½” wide and very strong, something we had on hand.

When we watered, the excess wept out the bottom 1/3rd of the bag.

Your thoughts on the choice of fabric are valid. We used what we had on hand. Tough and breathable. Drainage does not seem to be an issue.

I like your Idea about inserting a slat. I will try a couple by soaking a thin strip of cedar and forming it into circles.

I passed your comments about the quilt to Darlene. She says Thanks! She quilts by hand (sewing machine) Cuts up hundreds of lil’ pieces and sews it all back together and quilts it all together with her Long arm computerized quilting machine. She is an enthusiastic seamstress. Yesterday we dropped off 6 quilts and several Afghans of the folks at the senior’s center.

Brad

[puttgirl]

Beautiful...but with all due respect, if you use a long arm machine, that is not quilting by hand.

[Zana]

Brad,
The only reason I opted for the grommets for drainage was if using the vinyl outdoor fabric. But if using something more breathable, I agree with you that they wouldn't be needed.
Cedar might work well. I was thinking about using something like tin cut into strips. (Less chance of rotting - although it may rust with time) But the strip of cedar might be easier to come by....and will last awhile - best to use with a patterned or darker fabric incase there is bleeding of the natural stain in the wood on the fabric - if you're caring about the esthetics...lol)
Was thinking that mattress ticking or heavy canvas would make a good fabric choice too.

Wow...6 quilts...I wish I could finish the one that I have started. Its a combo of Bright Hopes and LeMoyne Star quilt blocks. Still piecing together the blocks. Haven't got a long arm computerised quilting machine....but a friend does. So plan to either borrow hers or do the quilting by hand. (I do have a quilting frame - which are easy to get here in an area where there are many Amish Mennonites.) I have acquired or inherited a small number of quilts and hope to collect some more.

Zana

[willyb]

Putt,

You. are right, Thanks.
Not my field. Can't speak for my wife. She does use machines for some of her work

[jennifer28]

Very beautiful work. I love to sew. I used to have five machines. Now I have three... but my favorite of all time is a singer rocketeer that was made in the 60s. I love it. I am not a quilter, though. I like to make clothes. I really like to make formal dresses, especially wedding dresses. I made my wedding dress. It took me 8 months to get it the way I wanted it, I was a total wacko about it, LOL.

[Ivy123]

True its not "complete hand quilting" someone would have to pay me alot for one of those lol...Gotta respect those ladys who do this......
However, there are two types of markets...Hand sewn as a general rule should not be washed often= delicate stuff...Machine sewing allows the quilt to be gently washed on a frequent bases, they hold up better.. I could see my hubbys face(bless his lil germaphobe heart lol) if I told him nooo. you cant wash that for at least a month or longer lol

Besides, being on the artsy side my heart goes pitter patter at the the design phase..color choosing rocks my world lol