The approach of our family reunion next week has prompted thoughts of recipes I’ve made on multiple occasions throughout past summers. There was the summer of Pasta Salad made with tri-color rotini, chopped veggies, and zesty Italian dressing. There was the summer of broccoli salad with bacon crumbles, grated cheese, raisins, sunflower seeds, and a mayo/vinegar/sugar dressing. Let us not forget the popularity of Seven Layer Salad or Punch Bowl Cake or Fluffy Strawberry Jello Salad (Cool Whip, cottage cheese, strawberry jello). Although I wonder what my go-to recipe will be this summer, I have already decided what my go-to quilt project is.
I have really enjoyed whipping up “Hemingway Pouches” by Center Street Quilts. I purchased and downloaded a digital pattern on Etsy. (Click here to link to the pattern.) The pattern gives excellent instructions for four sizes. First I made two “large” pouches for my daughter-in-law with fabric from her mother’s stash. I love this bird fabric and coordinating navy and teal print; the pouch was the perfect project for this pretty fabric.
Success with the bird pouches motivated me to rummage in my stash for large scale prints. I found this fun cat print, and made three pouches, one XL, one L, and the third is Large long (which efficiently used all of the remaining cat print). These sizes are useful for so many things, especially electronic devices.
And then I wondered if the pattern could be adapted for Quilt As You Go using 2 1/2″ wide strips. I love the results!
Yesterday I made a diaper bag for a baby shower, and today I made a coordinating Thomas the Tank Engine pouch. What a fun ensemble!
I have ideas and fabric for several more pouches . . . I’m only waiting for my order of multi-colored zippers from Amazon.com to arrive!
Do you have a go-to recipe for potlucks and picnics? Do you have a go-to sewing/quilting project that’s bringing you joy this summer?
Your comment of a favorite recipe and repeatable sewing/quilting project enters you into a drawing on July 4th for a Hemingway Pouch.
abyquilts 
My favorite recipe is a 24 hour salad with layers of lettuce, onions, green peppers, frozen peas, mayonnaise dressing, grated cheese and crumbled bacon. Always seems to be liked. My favorite go to gift is a cosmetic zip pouch.
Several years ago a pineapple cheese casserole was served at a Thanksgiving dinner. After my second helping I asked for the recipe. In the years since, that has been my “go to” food item when I need to bring a dish. Pineapple, grated cheese, ritz crackers, these things do not sound like they go together but it is delicious. You can google pineapple cheese casserole and find several great recipes. And I love the pouches. Zippers intimidate me.
Thanks for your recipe idea …I had forgotten about that pineapple casserole. I bet it would taste really good with the ham I plan to serve on the 4 th. BTW, the zipper application on this pouch is really easy. You take the zipper totally apart. The most difficult thing about making this pouch is sliding the zipper tab back onto the zipper tape. A game changer for sewing zippers is 1/4” double sided washable tape. Using it instead of pins keeps the zipper flat while you sew.
This pineapple dish does sound good
I’ve been making Cowboy Caviar – everyone in my family loves it. My go-to quilt project are pillowcases. I love finding novelty fabrics that fit each person.
My go-to summer salads are Macaroni Salad (not to be confused with Pasta Salad) or Potato Salad, but during the holidays I like to make Cherry Berry Salad or Watergate Salad. Bowl Fillers are my repeatable project. I find an idea I like and make a few…one to toss in my bowl and extras to gift away!
As I mentioned on Instagram snd text to you, my go-to quilt project this month has been based on your Rows Parade row-along, Aby.
The free quilt along blocks are all available from the menu if anyone else wants to try it and missed joining in last year.
Oops i was trying to give anlink and your blog embedded it instead. Sorry!
Sarah @heirloominthemaking
Pasta Salad, same recipe you use. I also like to make spaghetti salad. Your bags are beautiful. I’d love to learn how to make them
I love the quilt as you go version. I’m off to try it.