I am currently obsessed with making bags using By Annie patterns. After going more than 20 years as a quilter who couldn't make bags, it turns out I just needed the right patterns! I've bought quite a few of Annie's patterns and actually have a few completed that I still need to post. One that I recently bought is the Clam Up pattern, a cute little dumpling pouch in five sizes.
I went through my novelty scraps to find what I had that would be a good match for each size. For the smallest Clam Up, I had a piece of leftover quilted soft & stable from the Call Me I made my mom last Christmas. For the other 4 sizes, I didn't quilt the fabric. I wanted to see all the variations of Clam Up in this first batch.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6BFX4jssD0SizVmCRozLjE7vVglsOefEjiVkBXMUbW3R513S_BIbUy7pFwrDrYFy1L7-S32KWR1uYftSfOzZa_MLWCROAkppPJaEe_DjxDt3WXqRJ7nNozaaQpXXkzX5FhI8DmYxXcA/w572-h432/small+bags+nesting.jpg) |
Each bag nests inside the next size up!
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In my quest to try all the variations, I made one of each size. I really like them all. On a recent trip (before Delta really took over and made travel scary again), I took the extra large, large, and extra small. They all came in handy! I put my toiletries in the extra large, my sewing supplies in the large, and hair clips and bands in the extra small.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdyUsUdXBIfMIVWY3cDxQ2MUR11kRUyxtuOWP3-oA4wo5xYL2zTszOW2W6ci4kJJHDmPAoxtkh1FTvgiAtr48-9bXTqFHp2TXYpKqHvdpCvvqvEOd4YD1HoWNTSlCjkkXNHi0fdjPjWA/w518-h389/extra+large.jpg) |
Extra Large
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The large is currently my favorite size. It is perfect for a few sewing supplies and stands up very securely for easy access as I need something.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmkSwBSLv0nOQCUnAXnuYHRkgELR7fw4sLI0i86Trvva0mV8oGWPH3ylGuTKw-T-23xzpCpQK75TgxDdcWYDH2Vq3WCIzQ1hUAgeRaZ1RyNwtQj6s8SjvYJM-SBL43JCzoIGQk27MR8A/w518-h295/large.jpg) |
Large |
A great feature of these bags is that they nest inside each other when empty. I'm thinking of making a set for my niece for Christmas because I think she will be amused by opening a pouch to find another pouch inside, like Russian nesting dolls!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRFPuSM67WeP2hfSt0Xg6ynoQWQtSSRohRY4TlETjYctVarG7mjZztZYW3wgTXJJH2Bwk-Vzwb-vhUSkOSSQXYwrSBTZ3Rc8HPpbhDOua6JRSjuaG_NipASbyQnkj-JpvOun7V8VLuNw/w568-h426/bags+nested.jpg)
Clam Up has options for square or triangle tabs at the bottom. I tried
both. I like the look of the square tabs better and I find them easier
to hold on to.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFypVWvyYKw-V2d3xY2cv8rmWdXDhSkvezomcJ4RUDL3i0mOg_WxUq6CFbn8P0C5vqLHfUoZzjH41GD7_PqtdBa-auUsDP_wXAg496n3sK2GwUKc6L_3Cqw_YbEzLWATYUwFPHMXYQ88/w531-h399/medium.jpg) |
Medium |
There is also instruction for adding a swivel hook. I added this to the extra small bag. It actually calls for a 1/2" hook but I only had a 1" hook.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfD6YI-_s75E9V4ZSeD1ewBpBqYP8VAoK_ClINl8DXsqDTXkHLAL7yUfkBg1T8DF5VCaC-C0ucW_UKO094KVv6SAjDhoqpj9mLPuHkwNvIfCroP80ISLGd1_TXDf3MG8aJnJ1aCRfV8w/s320/extra+small.jpg) |
extra small, with swivel hook
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They call for a double slide zipper but I also tried one with just one zipper. No real issues, but since I use zippers by the yard and they come with lots of pulls, I'm not sure the single slide zipper saves me anything. I'm bummed that on the small bag, I seamed the fabric wrong so my fairies are upside down. Oops! But that one also has my favorite lining fabric.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq70sNDdRBGQIzMDwjd2FjgWxrENznk6n_lMVr_C__x2fJMZbow_ScB9GcptYutik-LB_2ndBzN1MXVgC5jHDdjlGek9eVnXgpZ7zeAlXp7SVh0IdzLEaH-VkC-TeZpMnb60E72Iu2VRU/w431-h312/small.jpg) |
small
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSIa9GyaU_FsC9ajXH3L4OyeLaseremriemp1se590ckUbcoVNWNToKKHcvqEam49ZfIfHN3Pin3XwMJRVsX61bZAcRJKzV-v3ycht4UkHDJ7PZviOIpFSlnYDv0-CW9v0hb8ACbtO98/w439-h585/inside+of+bag.jpg) |
inside of the small
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These are really fabulous pouches and now I want to make them in all the fabrics! I look at scraps and think, "that could be a medium, that could be a large, that could be a small..." I've been using them, too, and it's always nice to use something you made!