March 2021 Photo Contest
We are so excited to announce the winners of March’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’re looking 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: Lisa M.
ABOUT: Lisa sewed an incredible Ultimate Travel Bag 2.0. We loved seeing her furry assistant take pride in Lisa's work!
THEIR STORY: “The pandemic was the prod I needed to upgrade my sewing machine and get an overlocker. It also gave me the time to teach myself some new skills.
I've worked a lot on learning how to do pattern adjustments for garments. After I received my first Covid-19 vaccine, I decided to plan a trip to see my mother. I recalled that my carry-on was a bit small and started looking for an alternative.
The first time I saw the Ultimate Travel Bag 2.0, I dismissed it because I thought it would be too difficult for my skill-set. It looked so professional and things with hardware tend to scare me off. But I kept coming back to it because the lure of being able to choose my own fabrics was appealing. I also eventually reasoned that if I was able to teach myself how to do pattern adjustments, I could try to tackle this bag.
I finally took the leap and ordered the kit so I would have an easier time gathering my supplies and headed to my local quilt shop where I found an amazing raven and salmon print for my main fabric. This was my first machine quilting experience as well as the first bag with hardware I ever made. I'm very pleased with it. It's not perfect. I had a difficult time sewing the interior bias binding because of the bulk created by the final assembly of the bag. It was also hard to wrangle the entire bag's weight and keep the bias tape steady. There are wrinkles in the bias tape but in the end, I managed to cover the raw edges and this area isn't on the public side of the bag, so I'm content with the results of this first quilted bag project.
I learned a lot by doing this project and am glad I decided to take the leap and try it. My cat, Ismene, approves too. She loves bags and this one is big enough for her to lurk and spy on everyone. Thanks so much for developing such a great pattern. I know I'm going to want to try some more. This was a fun and rewarding experience. I love this bag and can't wait to show it to my mother when I visit her."
WHAT WE LOVED: The bag turned out magnificently, and Ismene stole our hearts with her spying eyes! One team member said, "How can you not like Lisa's picture of her cat. He looks like he is playing Peek a Boo in one picture and in the other he has the look of determination! The look of 'yeah I made this bag!'"
WHAT THEY WON: $50 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Storyteller Award
WINNER: Becky B.
ABOUT: Becky and her quilting buddies got together to sew Appliqué To Go! We loved hearing their story of sewing camaraderie.
THEIR STORY: “Sisterhood of the Cloth: We are seven quilting buddies who came together in 2019 to make Jen Kingwell’s Happy Birds quilt. In 2020 we chose Sarah Fielke’s Down The Rabbit Hole. Each of us make our version of the quilts.
In the past we have called ourselves “happy birds”, “funny bunnies”, “sundrops” until one of our group had to have major surgery a few weeks ago. She had a dream before her surgery about “sisters of the cloth” and we knew that was our new name. We have developed a close, deep friendship and it all came about because of quilting.
The pandemic shut down our quilt guild’s in person monthly meetings. We are still doing zoom meetings. But we seven got together each month at our friend’s lake house to work on our quilts. Most of our sessions were outside overlooking the lake, we practiced social distancing and there were times we wore masks. We “oohed & yahed” over all of the projects we were working on. We encourage and help each other. Being part of this group has made this novice quilter step outside her comfort zone and develop better skills.
This month we decided to make By Annie’s Appliqué To Go. It is perfect for our blocks of Rainy Days and Sun Rays designed by Sarah Fielke that we are making in 2021. You will notice that only six rolls are done. Our sister who had major surgery could not be with us (we will help her make one next month when we meet) and one had to leave early but sent us a photo of her finished roll. We have plans to make more ByAnnie projects in the future. They are perfect for an afternoon mini-retreat at the lake."
WHAT WE LOVED: We love hearing stories where friendship "binds" people together. Thank you for sharing, Becky, the rolls turned out beautifully!
WHAT THEY WON: $50 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Quilt Shop Highlight
WINNER: Tracy B. of Nana's Country House
THEIR STORY: "I learned to use the wonderful vinyl ByAnnie. This bag was a client's request to match another bag I made her. Loved the pattern and everything turned out great."
WHERE IS THEIR SHOP: Online
WHAT THEY WON: $50 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM ONLINE:
Instagram: @tracybohman
Web: www.etsy.com/shop/Nanascountryhouse
Honorable Mention
WINNER: Candice S.
ABOUT: Candice sewed a Crafter's Tool Caddy and made modifications to the pattern so it turned out just how she wanted!
THEIR STORY: “I purchased this pattern several years ago. I had everything I needed to make it stuffed in the bucket just waiting for me to sew. During Covid I decided to clean my sewing room. Well I got tired of moving this bucket from one corner to another and thought this is a good time to make it while staying home.
I chose to have just fabric pockets for inside without the vinyl. To help stiffen the home decor fabric I used Pelion 911FF on back. I also covered the handle with scraps of Soft and Stable and Grunge fabric. This was a fun weekend project to make. One more unfinished project done!"
WHAT WE LOVED: One staff member said, "I love the way she staged her Crafter's Tool Caddy! I think this pattern looks so cool sewn in the fabric she chose!"
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Honorable Mention
WINNER: Emily N.
ABOUT: Emily modified the Catch All Caddy by joining in features from the Executive Carryall pattern to make this cool caddy!
THEIR STORY: "I am an art conservator and I often need to carry equipment to examine paintings on-site. Previously I would throw my tools into a large bag but this didn't protect them well and it looked sloppy in front of clients. So I made this custom Exam Bag, a cross between the Catch All Caddy and the Executive Carryall, to carry my exam equipment in style! This bag is taller than the Catch All Caddy and has custom pockets (slip pockets, a billowed pocket, and mesh pockets) to keep each tool safe and easily accessible. I also added Soft and Stable to an inside pocket to better protect my fragile Optivisor (headband magnifier).
I had experience making several ByAnnie patterns and I always appreciated how well thought-out and detailed they are. When making my own modifications for this Exam Bag, I realized just how challenging it is to make a pattern and now I appreciate ByAnnie patterns even more!"
WHAT WE LOVED: Annie saw Emily's bag and said, "Emily did a great job on her custom Exam Bag. What a great story, too. This was really inspiring!"
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Honorable Mention
WINNER: Tina A.
ABOUT: Tina sewed It's A Cinch as a way to repurpose several swag bags!
THEIR STORY: “I am an endurance athlete and have several swag bags from Why Racing that bring back happy memories. They were great for the events but did not have much purpose after that.
I thought if I could repurpose them into a swimming pool toy bag, I could enjoy them and at the same time have a bag to take my long fins to the pool in. I saw It's a Cinch made up at my local sewing store and thought the pattern would be perfect for a pool toy bag.
I opened the seams to 2 swag bags and repurposed them into pool bags using "It's a Cinch". Instead of making the straps, I reused the cord that was on the swag bags. I am very happy how this bag turned out. It fits my fins, paddles, goggles, and cap easily. The swag bag had a zipper on the side which I kept, so I also have a zipper I can carry smaller items as well as keys and wallet. The nylon and mesh will dry quickly. I had some fun with stitch designs on my BERNINA."
WHAT WE LOVED: "I love that Tina found a way to tie her passions in with her repurposing and sewing skills. That bag turned out so well!" is what one team member had to say.
WHAT THEY WON: $15 coupon to use on ByAnnie.com
Honorable Mention
WINNER: Lee D.
ABOUT: Lee fearlessly tackled this beautiful A Place For Everything 2.0, making it her own with selvages saved throughout the years!
THEIR STORY: "I love byAnnie bags, but have struggled with bias binding and zippers. I tackled this project with all of the zippers and bias binding to put those concerns aside and have finally conquered them both!! I took my time and it was worth it.
I also have been saving selvages for the last couple of years and created my own fabric to use behind the vinyl and mesh. I think it is the perfect look for a sewing essentials bag! I have ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons and they worked perfectly with this bag. I added them to the front pocket, the handles and inside to line zippers and the center strip. What a testimony to Annie's clear and concise instructions and videos. Thank you byAnnie.com!
WHAT WE LOVED: Annie had this say about Lee's project, "I LOVE the fabric that Lee made using selvage strips. What an amazing idea! Her addition of Renaissance Ribbons also really made her bag extra interesting."
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 ready your stories. We look forward to sharing as many of them as possible on our social media.
Interested in submitting to our photo contest? LEARN MORE HERE.
Stay in the loop by joining our e-mail list, HERE.
Connect with us on social media:
