Have you ever wondered how people come up with new pattern ideas? We would like to introduce you to and let you take a peek inside Peg Lindberg’s creative mind. Peg works part time for Heirloom Creations and is the designer of the already famous GPS Bag! …
I describe myself as a color junkie. I love to do anything that allows me to play with color whether it is painting, beading, sewing, knitting or quilting. All of it is just an excuse to indulge in beautiful colors, patterns and textures. While I consider myself a fabric artist my current passion is definitely quilting. For me a quilt is a functional piece of art. It is my own self-expression not only in its color and pattern but also in its usefulness and body. How wonderful to be able to literally wrap yourself up in your own work of art.
Similarly, a bag is art with a purpose. When I am designing I start with an idea and toss it around in my head over and over trying to figure out how to make it work. Then it is off to the cutting table and sewing machine to test my idea. It never works! But it leads me to another idea and another and eventually I get something I like. In the case of the GPS bag my original inspiration was a tulip! I know it doesn’t look like a tulip but you can still see some tulip-ness in the final design. The panels are the petals which come together on the bottom much like the petals of a tulip. And the top closes up much like a flower.
The real test of a bag is not how it looks but how it works. In the case of the GPS bag I stumbled upon the idea of dividers which give the bag structure but also create great organizational space. My goal for the closure was to have the bag close securely but to use only simple materials. I was tickled when I discovered that I could sew together the handles after they were inserted through the loops creating circular handles with no bulky knots!
Whether creating a bag, quilt or other piece of art I find the process of designing both challenging and invigorating. But it is truly gratifying when someone else can enjoy something I have designed.
Peg usually works on Thursdays at Heirloom Creations if you would like to have her to help pick out fabric for your next quilt, a GPS bag or something extra special.
Peg is also the designer of the Tipsy Stripsy Bag made from jelly roll strips. Both patterns are available from Heirloom Creations for $9.00 each. We are happy to ship out patterns for $1.00 shipping. Just call 605-332-4435 to order.
