Bag Making is FUN!

Issue #315 - February 16, 2026

So... Valentine's Day was this past Saturday & I hope you were able to spend it with someone (or several someone's) who are special to you!

But in the meantime, we've officially released our latest new pattern, the Expand-o-Matic, but prior to starting something new, we're in the midst of getting ready for our next retail show, the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, & would love to see YOU there!

So while we get back to work getting ready for this show, please enjoy this mid-month edition of "Bag Making is Fun!"

Have you Visited Our Blog Archive?

We have a HUGE archive of writing on our website and sometimes I like to go back and see what I was writing on or around this time during year's past. And guess what? It turns out that re-reading these posts brings back some GREAT memories for me & I hope you enjoy reading them too!

3 years ago-2/14/23- Sage Advice at the Right Time

5 years ago-2/6/21- Product Review: Decovil Light

12 years ago- On Blooming Late

13 years ago-2/28/13- Braiding- An Easy Bag Embellishment

Instant Download Update-

We've added 2 more titles as Instant Downloads!

Now there's NINE titles that are available in BOTH Hardcopy AND as an Instant Download!

Video of the Month- A Scary Train Ride

How would you like to take THIS train?

Click the image or HERE to watch the ride!

A Cool Bow Tutorial -

Isn't this bow beautiful?

Click the image or HERE to see how easy it is to make this!

Toon Time

I'm giving you TWO cartoons this issue, because these

two Olympic-themed pics are just too good to choose between!

(our thanks go out to alert reader & fellow Olympic fan,

Sharon McKinney for sharing these with us!)

Sewing in the News- Why Quilting Dominates US Sewing Markets

The U.S. home sewing market shifted hard towards quilting and away from apparel in the late 20th century. But the European market remains more focused on apparel.
“Quilting is deeply American in the way backyard barbecues or baseball are; apparel sewing is deeply European in the way tailoring and fashion houses are,” says Darrin Stern, VP of
Why did this schism happen?
Click HERE to read out more!

And FINALLY - Here's our Discount Offer for this Issue!

The Cignet Phone Pal

In this issue, you can get $3.99 off one or BOTH these items... our Cignet Phone Pal pattern (as a Hardcopy or now as an Instant Download) and/or our Cignet Phone Pal Supply Kit!

The Cignet Phone Pal is is a minimalist Bag with LOTS of extras! Of course there's plenty of room in the mag-snapped front pocket for your cell phone, but there's also mag-snapped pocket on the Bag back and bonus room on the Bag Interior for the other extras you carry with you each day!

AND... since hardware & bag supplies are harder than ever to find since JoAnn's has shut down, why not just grab a Cignet Phone Pal Supply Kit, at a nifty discounted price to boot?

And check this out- from now thru midnight on Thursday night, February 19th, you can use this code- 82H7Cig - to get $3.99 off the purchase of one or both of these items!

But don't delay! Discount offers will expire at 11:59pm on Thursday night, 1/19/26. This coupon code can't be used for previous purchases, or in combination w/other discount offers.