Out of My Way! | SewEndipitous® Art Exhibit

Exhibit:

Out of My Way!

A FEATURED TEXTILE ART EXHIBIT

The Art of Making, On Display

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CURATOR'S NOTES

Some works of textile art are meant to hang quietly on a wall. Others are meant to pack up, zip closed, sling over your shoulder, and head straight into an adventure.

Out of My Way! is very much the latter.

Made by Lori Kennedy, this delightfully personal bag uses the large size from the Two Big Totes pattern by ByAnnie.com, transformed through Lori’s fabric choices, embroidery, and thoughtful finishing into something unmistakably her own.

The foundation comes from the wonderfully playful Animal Alphabet collection by Lewis & Irene Fabrics. Against the deep navy background, a menagerie of colorful animals wanders among scattered names and letters, giving the bag a sense of movement and discovery. Lori pairs those prints with vibrant rainbow stripes and bold turquoise-and-navy webbing, creating a palette that feels energetic without losing its visual balance.

And then there is the embroidery.

“OUT OF MY WAY! Grandma and Grandpa are HERE!”

It is impossible not to smile.

That front panel immediately changes the personality of the piece. The bag stops being merely useful and becomes autobiographical — a little declaration of arrival stitched right into the design. Additional embroidered details on the opposite side continue that storytelling, while Lori’s label quietly signs the work as its maker.

Closer inspection reveals just how much consideration has gone into the construction. A zippered exterior pocket adds function without interrupting the design, sturdy handles give the bag its working character, and the coordinating striped binding carries color continuously around the exterior. Clear vinyl has been carefully sewn over the lower portion of the bag, adding an extra layer of durability and protection where everyday wear is most likely to occur while still allowing the playful fabric beneath to remain visible. Inside, the same attention continues through multiple pockets, a beautifully coordinated lining, secure zipper closure, and a structured base designed for actual use.

That matters because this exhibit sits at an interesting intersection between craftsmanship and utility.

A bag like this is expected to work. It has to carry things, withstand use, open and close repeatedly, and remain comfortable enough to travel alongside its owner. Yet none of those practical requirements prevented Lori from treating each surface as an opportunity for color, pattern, humor, and personal expression.

In fact, the usefulness may be part of its artistry.

Out of My Way! reminds us that textile art does not have to surrender its purpose in order to deserve our attention. Sometimes the most personal works are the ones we carry with us — objects made carefully enough to be admired, sturdily enough to be used, and joyfully enough to announce that Grandma and Grandpa have most definitely arrived.

EXHIBIT CREDITS