We are so excited to announce the winners of January's Photo Contest! To learn more about what it takes to win, be sure to check out our blog on the contest details.
If you’d like to submit to the next monthly photo contest, VISIT THIS PAGE to submit your photos.
Want to see the rules and submission guidelines? VISIT THIS PAGE.
If you want to see all photo submissions, visit our Customer Photo Gallery. You can also search through all of the Winning Submissions here.
Let’s see the winners!
ByAnnie Top Voted
WINNER: Kasandra R
@kasandrajeanlouise
PATTERN: Out to Lunch
THEIR STORY:
I kicked off my 14th year teaching chemistry with the nerdiest lunch bag imaginable, and I’m unreasonably proud of it. The Out to Lunch 2.0 large bag fits my glass lunch containers like it was engineered for them. I customized the pockets and added an iridescent vinyl bottom—because if I’m going to spill something, it might as well wipe off in style.
I finally put to use a chemistry-themed fabric I’ve been hoarding for years and paired it with Tula hexys, since hexagons are a classic shape of many organic molecules. My students think the bag is hilarious. They even helped me take photos in my research lab with our unofficial mascot, the resident silly goose.
WHAT WE LOVED: Annie had this to say, " I love everything about Kasandra's fabulous Out to Lunch 2.0. The fabrics she chose are perfect and I loved that she added hexahon fabrics, too, to fit the theme. What a fabulous bag for a chemistry teacher!"
WHAT THEY WON: $50 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Storyteller Award
WINNER: Laura S
@lschirer
PATTERN: All things Tote by Knot & Thread Designs
THEIR STORY: I started my quilting journey this past October and have completed three quilts since then, a quilt a month! Along the way, I’ve learned that no project ever goes exactly as planned. Each one brings its own lessons, challenging your problem-solving skills, patience, and grit. At the same time, every project builds confidence and pushes you to take on the next one.
One of my favorite discoveries has been the endless variety of fabric styles and designs. I want to buy it all! Of course, that isn’t very practical, so I began looking for ways to use more beautiful fabrics without committing to an entire quilt. That led me to study quilted bags at the quilt shop I frequent. After weeks of thinking and examining, I finally ripped off the Band-Aid and dove into making a tote bag.
Overall, it was a great success, though not without its own trials and tribulations. I was so pleased with how it turned out that I made another tote for a friend’s birthday. This time, I applied everything I’d learned from the first one, and the process went extremely well. Even better, she absolutely loved the gift. Of course, I couldn't have done it without my helpers - Mochi and Turtle Sundae, my two cats were the quality assurance checkers and they both agree that the tote holds up!
Prior to all of this, I had purchased Sallie Tomato’s purple and pink zipper-by-the-yard in partnership with Tula Pink simply because it was so beautiful. At the time, I had no idea what I would make with it, just that someday I would. After gaining confidence from the tote bags, I started looking for a zipper project and found the perfect one: the byAnnie Round Trip Duffle. I can’t wait to get started!
WHAT WE LOVED: Our team member Caszidy had this to say, "This bag turned out beautiful. Loved all of the insight and problem solving that was done to learn how to sew this tote."
WHAT THEY WON: $50 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Quilt Shop Highlight
WINNER: Nancy Z
PATTERN: Travel Essentials
THEIR STORY: Two of my friends from our quilt shop are going to Disney World together to celebrate milestone birthdays. They are preparing for the trip with all things Buzz & Woody from Toy Story. These are the Travel Essentials bags I made for them to take along and organize their hotel bathrooms.
WHAT THEY WON: $50 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM ONLINE:
Website: https://www.overtherainbowfabrics.com/
QE Level Up
WINNER: Elizabeth S
PATTERN: Bella Quilt Coat, Bella Accent Sleeves, Jacqueling De Jonge Happiness 2.0 for the back star
THEIR STORY: When a quilter decides to try garment making, this happens......
WHAT WE LOVED: Elissa had this to say,
Elizabeth S. immediately captured my attention with her truly wearable art, perfectly embodying the idea of “garment sewing designed for quilters,” which lies at the heart of my Bella Quilt Coat Pattern.
I was especially drawn to the sleeves, where black-and-white striped accent fabric borders a rainbow of flying geese, further enhanced by a second rainbow woven into the background. The black contrasting yoke and collar beautifully ground the design, allowing the swirling arcs of the coat’s body to add depth and movement.
One subtle yet striking detail is the striped piping along the front and back yokes—it’s a small touch that makes a big visual impact.
I absolutely loved seeing how Elizabeth drew inspiration from her Jacqueline de Jonge quilts to bring this undeniably gorgeous Bella Quilt Coat to life. Congratulations, Elizabeth—what a stunner!
WHAT THEY WON: $50 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Honorable Mention
WINNER: Theresa L
PATTERN: Snapshot
THEIR STORY: When a friend gifted me her left over material I just knew it was going to be something beautiful. It was a challenge to fussy cut the material so the flower lined up just right, but oh how it turned out.
WHAT WE LOVED: Our team member Jacque had this to say, "This is a very beautiful bag. I love that it is neutral, but has SO much to admire. The flower placement is amazing, and the inside is just as beautiful as the outside."
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Honorable Mention
WINNER: Courtney M
@hyperfixation.quiltstudio
PATTERN: Leader of the Pack
THEIR STORY:
I made this backpack for my cat loving daughter, who needed a versatile bag for carrying her school supplies while traveling through the airport to visit my parents. When we arrived at “Angel’s” house, my daughter immediately dropped her bag on the couch. Real moments like this, that need a durable, beautiful bag, inspired me to make this piece.
I was inspired by Elissa Sews and Tula Pink’s beautiful fabrics. I admire the way Elissa confidently blends many bold patterns, and I wanted to convey a similar playful, cohesive energy in this bag. This is my first ByAnnie project and my first bag using such an involved pattern. Through it, I learned to sew with mesh and elastic, and it has inspired me to continue exploring more complex bag designs.
WHAT WE LOVED: Our team member Caszidy had this to say, "This bag is absolutely adorable. My daughter also loves cats and I think she would be over the moon to have this bag. It turned out really well and is so cute. I love the way you put the different patters together."
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Honorable Mention
WINNER: Casey B
@thirty85designs
PATTERN: Ultimate Travel Bag
THEIR STORY: I have had this pattern for years, but thought it was too difficult, but that was not the case at all it is so detailed and easy to follow! I wanted to make a bag featuring fabric others have gotten for me in their travels and this one was perfect!
WHAT WE LOVED: Annie had this to say, " I love that Casey used a variety of fabrics from her travels to make this gorgeous Ultimate Travel Bag 2.0. Using the fabrics for the flying geese and pockets is a brilliant choice."
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
A special "thank you" to everyone who submitted to this photo contest. We had a wonderful time viewing submissions and reading your stories. We look forward to sharing as many of them as possible on our social media.
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January 2026 Photo Contest