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Practice to Practical: Quilted Tote Bag Tutorial

I don't know about you, but I love practicing new quilting designs and techniques before I try them on a pieced quilt top. It is important to try new things! However, I don't want to waste that cute fabric. This quilted tote bag tutorial is a fun way to use that quilted practice fabric into a practical large tote bag to enjoy for a variety of uses! It might be a great option for a market tote bag, library bag, work bag, car trip tote bag, beach bag, or even a great gift!  Just choose two coordinating fabrics (contrasting works great for this project), quilt up a yard of fabric with a technique of your choice, and then make this cute color blocked tote bag! I'd love to see what you have made! Tag me @niteowlquilting on Instagram or send me a photo of what you have made! Happy sewing!

I'm teaching @ HQ Academy 2024
By Janel Metsker 11 Feb, 2024
I'm excited to announce that I will be teaching at HQ Academy 2024 this June in Salt Lake City, Utah!
By Janel Metsker 09 Feb, 2024
New pattern released! Introducing Charming Adventures...
By Janel Metsker 12 Sep, 2023
Are you ready to try some new projects?
The 2021 Quilting Sewing Summit
By Janel Metsker 12 Jan, 2021
I will be a teacher for the upcoming 2021 Quilting Sewing Summit hosted by Rebecca Page! Learn more about this online event.
By Janel Metsker 11 Nov, 2020
Introducing my Bunny & Blooms quilted wall art...
Nite Owl Quilting It is Well Quiltimonial
By Janel Metsker 11 Oct, 2020
Read about the story behind this It is Well quilted wall art design in this quiltimonial.
Nite Owl Quilting Covered in Hope Quiltimonial
By Janel Metsker 11 Oct, 2020
Read about the story behind this Covered in Hope quilt design in this quiltimonial.
By Janel Metsker 11 Oct, 2020
When I began my company, Nite Owl Quilting, I had been specifically praying for my career to use the skills and desires God has given me to glorify Him. Sometimes the way I glorify God is simply finding joy in creating something beautiful and working hard on it as if it were a gift to Him. I decided from the beginning of creating this company writing quilt patterns, that I would produce at least 10% of my patterns to be completely Christ-centered as a way to honor Him with my time and skills. I had been praying for a couple of years about what the project would be. As I was working on my 9th pattern, Sunrise Stag, Covered in Truth became a huge dream for me. Grounding myself in who I am to Christ and evaluating my response to those truths was a life changing point in my walk with the Lord. I have been a Christian since high school, but I had never really read and re-read who I was to Christ. These promises and scriptures changed my view of myself, my God, and I definitely began re-evaluating how to live those truths out in my daily life. There are so many pressures we face daily. I began to understand how even the small lies Satan would tell me daily were keeping me at a distance from God. I would be having coffee in my favorite chair, having time with the Lord, and just wanted to be covered up in His love. I wanted to be covered under His protection. I wanted my life to be something that glorified Him. So, realizing how many pressures we face daily, I knew I needed to go into each day ready for battle. Scripture, prayer and intentional time with the Lord was my battle plan. I want to start each day remembering who God says I am. I want to have Him define the standards for my life and guide the decisions I make throughout each day. I don’t want to get weighed down by pressures and expectations of everyone else. I don’t want to be distracted by lies Satan tries to get me to believe. Grounding myself in His Truth brings me peace and clarity. “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.” Galatians 6:4-5 (The Message). I love to quilt, so this was a way to honor God with a talent He has given me and help share Scriptures with others. The more I began to pray over this project, the more excited I was about the possible impact others would have when they began believing who God made them to be. As a mom of young children, time to get these projects done is so limited. It has been such a wonderful experience to be able to intentionally set time aside to turn on praise music, work on this quilt, and read over the Scriptures as I am working on each word. Praying over the Scriptures and asking the Lord to show me how to believe them, live them out, and show me who I can share these Scriptures with was how I approached this quilting time. Blending quilting with studying God’s word has been so life giving, and I pray it will be for those who choose to take this journey with me in making this quilt. Cover up in the truth of who you are in Christ!
Nite Owl Quilting Zipper Pouch Tutorial
By Janel Metsker 24 Mar, 2020
This zipper pouch is a quick project great for any skill level. Make these cute zipper pouches for a skill builder, fabric stash buster, simple organizer, or a quick homemade gift! Follow along with this photo tutorial to create a zipper pouch to enjoy! Share your completed zipper pouch using the #NOQzipperpouch on social media and tag me @niteowlquilting so I can see your cute project! Happy sewing!
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