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OklaRoots

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About Jess

Hello!

My name is Jess.  I'm a software engineer by morning, day, and very late at night.  Bag and quilt maker every other second of the day. I'm a proud military brat, Mama to a heard of critters, and wife to the very best friend I could imagine.

What is OklaRoots?

I spent the most pivotal years of my life in the beautiful state of Oklahoma. It was an unexpected place to move when I was 14 years old, and a hard place to leave when I was 33.  I graduated college and graduate school there. I met my husband and we started a family as Okies. It was a place I was truly laying down some roots, which was a big deal for this move-every-4-years girl.  And even though the call of the ocean won out, I still consider my roots to be in Oklahoma.

Currently, I am living in northeast Florida and LOVING the environment. The culture is diverse and immersive, the weather allows 365 days outside fun, and the location is unbeatable. 

Time To Pivot

Shortly after starting OklaRoots on Instagram I started drafting and listing quilt patterns for sale. While I love the quilt patterns I wrote, they weren't speaking to my audience. Failing at sales is one thing, but not having the ability to inspire others with your design is a whole other level of heartbreak.  I'm sure they'll have their season with a large audience, but selling is not my strong suit.  Education, however, is something I have much more experience with. 

So the OklaRoots YouTube channel came to be! Not only do I get to share what I've learned, I also get to share simple patterns of my own design with all of you! And we have the opportunity to explore so many things. Quilts, bags, crafts, DIY..... we cover it all together! 

Lights... Camera...

The OklaRoots YouTube channel is a place where I show how to make some of my favorite things. These may be my own patterns or some from my favorite designers. Note: I do ask permission from the pattern writer to demonstrate their design, and not everyone approves. I'll keep a running list of the folks I can film for below. The channel also includes unboxings, non-sewing tutorials, and everything else that sounds like something we should all enjoy together. 

I Love Letters!

If you would like to send me a letter I would LOVE that! Below is my mailing address: 

Jess OklaRoots

PO Box 2071

Ponte Vedre Beach, FL 32004

Approved Filming Tutorials

Bag Designers:

Swoon

Bagstock Designs

Emmaline Bags 

Sewn Ideas

More Me Know

Kandou Crafts

Spencer Ogg Patterns

Noodlehead

Linds Handmade

Country Cow Designs

Justyna T Handmade 

I Think Sew 

Sallie Tomato

By Annie

Tobi Stylx

Simple Artful Stuff

Needle And Anchor Supply Co

Miss Freckles Designs

Sew Your Patterns

Hold It Right There Patterns

Diamonds and Coal

 

Embroidery Designers

Crashing Waves Embroidery

OHana Applique Embroidery

Rosebarn Embroidery

Sew Inspired By Bonnie

Creations By Connie

Off With Their Threads

Kimberbell

Hooked On Applique



Happy Sewing!

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Recent Posts

  • 2025 ByAnnie SewPINK Blog Hop – Making The Zip It Up 2.0
  • 2026 OklaCruise!
  • January 2025 Livestream
  • 2024 ByAnnie #SewPink Breast Cancer Awareness
  • Itty Bitty Boxy Bag Templates – How To Use

Instagram

oklaroots

Winter… I’m done with you. Time for spring 🌸 In Winter… I’m done with you. 

Time for spring 🌸

Instructions for the lined version of the Totes Cute Tote coming soon!

Have a good weekend friends. Stay warm ❤️
This week we’re making the Owen Organizer from @uh This week we’re making the Owen Organizer from @uhohcreations ! 

This firm tote can be used for SO MANY THINGS! The car, the playroom, the beach…

Help me test something out, if you can please. Comment Owen below for a link to this tutorial. And let me know if it works❤️

Have a good week!

#oklarootstuts #handmade #tote #grocerybag
Thank you so much to everyone who offered question Thank you so much to everyone who offered question suggestions for these remaining giveaway bundles!

Let's get to Bundle 4!

To enter this giveaway, answer the following question in the comments: 

Do you have a non sewing tool that you use while sewing? For example, are you using a butter knife to smooth out corners? Tongs to birth bags? Let me know the oddest tool you use when sewing! If you are a sewing-tool purist, then what is a tool you have that might look different than what it's for?

Most of us are very familiar with a stiletto, but when a non-sewer walks in my room that is a tool that often scares them. I mean, it could definitely do some damage. And when I drop it on the floor I have the FASTEST feet. No way am I letting that get me.

The Rules:
Giveaway ends on January 20th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.
The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!
This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.
Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
Congrats to our winner @quiltchic_75 ! Giveaway B Congrats to our winner @quiltchic_75 !

Giveaway Bundle number 3 is here!

Ok... I'm running out of good questions for these giveaways. So here's my plea:

What is a good question to ask for the rest of the giveaways? 😂 No seriously, any interesting question you can think of, let me have them. No matter how random, just keep it appropriate please 😏 (you know who you are). 

Comment your question suggestion on this post to enter the giveaway!

The Rules:
Giveaway ends on January 16th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.
The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!
This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.
Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
This bag is SO INCREDIBLE! The Hellcat Crossbody This bag is SO INCREDIBLE! 

The Hellcat Crossbody from @the.crafty.reporter is such a fun one to make. Not only is it enjoyable, it’s also a pattern that will teach you SO much.

I’ll be honest, I avoid piping 😬 I’ve tried so many different types and it’s always been difficult and always looked a lil wonky. UNTIL AMBER’S PIPING! The instructions for this were so well written and the bag came together so smoothly, I now have more confidence in this technique.

So if you’re a little intimidated by this technique or this style, give it a try! Take your time, enjoy each step, and have fun making a bag.

Happy Monday friends!

#oklarootstuts #fannypack #handmade #piping #custom
Congrats to our winner Deb Nordstrom Linehan ! Che Congrats to our winner Deb Nordstrom Linehan ! Check your facebook message for more info!

Time for giveaway Bundle 2! 

To enter this giveaway, answer the following question in the comments: What is your favorite month of the year? If you had to pick... Are you a clean-it-all-out-start-anew January lover? Cozy and comfy Christmas December darling? Spooky fall fun October fan? 

This is actually a tough question for me, I like each and every month for different reasons. But if I had to pick, I think October would be my favorite. The fall crisp evenings, orange trees and sky, decorating the house for the end of year cozy season. It just feels like a hug. 

The Rules:

Giveaway ends on January 12th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.

The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!

This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.

Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
Congratulations to our winner @hula_flowers ! Let Congratulations to our winner @hula_flowers !

Let's get on with the giveaways!

The next 7 giveaways are an assortment of items from my craft room and recent purchases. It's going to get wild around here!

I'm calling this Bundle number 1!

Ok, question to answer for this one is the following:

🤔 What was the first bag you sewed that used a pattern? Not a self drafted pattern or something you made up when you were younger. Really think on this and see if you can remember the exact bag. If you can't recall, just tell me one of the first bags you remember making. Tag the designer as well and show them some love!

The first bag I made was the Petal Pouch from @noodlehead531 . I remember a quilter friend shared a photo of making about 10 of them at once, and I thought they were the most beautiful little zipper pouches I'd ever seen. I never worked with a zipper at that time, I only quilted, but I was determined. 

And I still have that bag! And many many more of them. It's still a go-to pattern of mine. 

The Rules:

Giveaway ends on January 9th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.

The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!

This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.

Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
It’s like a little treat of a bag! So cute, so qui It’s like a little treat of a bag! So cute, so quick, so useful. I love patterns like this ❤️

This week’s tutorial is for the Carry-All Bag from @shop_inthe_clouds , and I think you’re going love making this.

This is a fantastic size for a backpack, travel, and general home organization. I could use them for storing my tools, my kids would definitely use them as pencil bags, and obviously lining a few of these up in the suitcase would be so helpful.

Enjoy!

#oklarootstuts #travelbag #zipperpouch #organization
Congrats to our winner @jdurney09 ! Stay tuned f Congrats to our winner @jdurney09 ! 

Stay tuned for the next fun bundle giveaway this week!

Ok friends, I have a room FULL of giveaway bundles that have got to GO. So let's roll in 2026 with back-to-back giveaways. 

This entry is for the large bundle of quilt blocks, pieced bits, and jelly roll strips. This would be great for anyone getting into quilting and interested in a scrappy look. This would also be great for a quilt guild to share and add their own assortment of quilt blocks from exchanges. 

Quilt blocks can obviously be used to make quilts, but you can also piece them together to create bag panels. Just make sure the pieced block is large enough, add some woven interfacing, maybe a bit of decovil light, and you have a unique bag!

To enter just comment an emoji or one word to describe your hope for 2026. No explanation needed, unless you want to give one. 

Mine is 🥳 : I'm going to make it a priority to pay attention to and celebrate other people's wins. It's always been the most touching feeling when someone notices an accomplishment of mine, even a small one, and I need to do better at giving that back to the community. 

The Rules:

Giveaway ends on January 5th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.

The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!

This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.

Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • 2025 ByAnnie SewPINK Blog Hop – Making The Zip It Up 2.0
  • 2026 OklaCruise!
  • January 2025 Livestream
  • 2024 ByAnnie #SewPink Breast Cancer Awareness
  • Itty Bitty Boxy Bag Templates – How To Use

Instagram

oklaroots

Winter… I’m done with you. Time for spring 🌸 In Winter… I’m done with you. 

Time for spring 🌸

Instructions for the lined version of the Totes Cute Tote coming soon!

Have a good weekend friends. Stay warm ❤️
This week we’re making the Owen Organizer from @uh This week we’re making the Owen Organizer from @uhohcreations ! 

This firm tote can be used for SO MANY THINGS! The car, the playroom, the beach…

Help me test something out, if you can please. Comment Owen below for a link to this tutorial. And let me know if it works❤️

Have a good week!

#oklarootstuts #handmade #tote #grocerybag
Thank you so much to everyone who offered question Thank you so much to everyone who offered question suggestions for these remaining giveaway bundles!

Let's get to Bundle 4!

To enter this giveaway, answer the following question in the comments: 

Do you have a non sewing tool that you use while sewing? For example, are you using a butter knife to smooth out corners? Tongs to birth bags? Let me know the oddest tool you use when sewing! If you are a sewing-tool purist, then what is a tool you have that might look different than what it's for?

Most of us are very familiar with a stiletto, but when a non-sewer walks in my room that is a tool that often scares them. I mean, it could definitely do some damage. And when I drop it on the floor I have the FASTEST feet. No way am I letting that get me.

The Rules:
Giveaway ends on January 20th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.
The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!
This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.
Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
Congrats to our winner @quiltchic_75 ! Giveaway B Congrats to our winner @quiltchic_75 !

Giveaway Bundle number 3 is here!

Ok... I'm running out of good questions for these giveaways. So here's my plea:

What is a good question to ask for the rest of the giveaways? 😂 No seriously, any interesting question you can think of, let me have them. No matter how random, just keep it appropriate please 😏 (you know who you are). 

Comment your question suggestion on this post to enter the giveaway!

The Rules:
Giveaway ends on January 16th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.
The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!
This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.
Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
This bag is SO INCREDIBLE! The Hellcat Crossbody This bag is SO INCREDIBLE! 

The Hellcat Crossbody from @the.crafty.reporter is such a fun one to make. Not only is it enjoyable, it’s also a pattern that will teach you SO much.

I’ll be honest, I avoid piping 😬 I’ve tried so many different types and it’s always been difficult and always looked a lil wonky. UNTIL AMBER’S PIPING! The instructions for this were so well written and the bag came together so smoothly, I now have more confidence in this technique.

So if you’re a little intimidated by this technique or this style, give it a try! Take your time, enjoy each step, and have fun making a bag.

Happy Monday friends!

#oklarootstuts #fannypack #handmade #piping #custom
Congrats to our winner Deb Nordstrom Linehan ! Che Congrats to our winner Deb Nordstrom Linehan ! Check your facebook message for more info!

Time for giveaway Bundle 2! 

To enter this giveaway, answer the following question in the comments: What is your favorite month of the year? If you had to pick... Are you a clean-it-all-out-start-anew January lover? Cozy and comfy Christmas December darling? Spooky fall fun October fan? 

This is actually a tough question for me, I like each and every month for different reasons. But if I had to pick, I think October would be my favorite. The fall crisp evenings, orange trees and sky, decorating the house for the end of year cozy season. It just feels like a hug. 

The Rules:

Giveaway ends on January 12th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.

The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!

This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.

Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
Congratulations to our winner @hula_flowers ! Let Congratulations to our winner @hula_flowers !

Let's get on with the giveaways!

The next 7 giveaways are an assortment of items from my craft room and recent purchases. It's going to get wild around here!

I'm calling this Bundle number 1!

Ok, question to answer for this one is the following:

🤔 What was the first bag you sewed that used a pattern? Not a self drafted pattern or something you made up when you were younger. Really think on this and see if you can remember the exact bag. If you can't recall, just tell me one of the first bags you remember making. Tag the designer as well and show them some love!

The first bag I made was the Petal Pouch from @noodlehead531 . I remember a quilter friend shared a photo of making about 10 of them at once, and I thought they were the most beautiful little zipper pouches I'd ever seen. I never worked with a zipper at that time, I only quilted, but I was determined. 

And I still have that bag! And many many more of them. It's still a go-to pattern of mine. 

The Rules:

Giveaway ends on January 9th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.

The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!

This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.

Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
It’s like a little treat of a bag! So cute, so qui It’s like a little treat of a bag! So cute, so quick, so useful. I love patterns like this ❤️

This week’s tutorial is for the Carry-All Bag from @shop_inthe_clouds , and I think you’re going love making this.

This is a fantastic size for a backpack, travel, and general home organization. I could use them for storing my tools, my kids would definitely use them as pencil bags, and obviously lining a few of these up in the suitcase would be so helpful.

Enjoy!

#oklarootstuts #travelbag #zipperpouch #organization
Congrats to our winner @jdurney09 ! Stay tuned f Congrats to our winner @jdurney09 ! 

Stay tuned for the next fun bundle giveaway this week!

Ok friends, I have a room FULL of giveaway bundles that have got to GO. So let's roll in 2026 with back-to-back giveaways. 

This entry is for the large bundle of quilt blocks, pieced bits, and jelly roll strips. This would be great for anyone getting into quilting and interested in a scrappy look. This would also be great for a quilt guild to share and add their own assortment of quilt blocks from exchanges. 

Quilt blocks can obviously be used to make quilts, but you can also piece them together to create bag panels. Just make sure the pieced block is large enough, add some woven interfacing, maybe a bit of decovil light, and you have a unique bag!

To enter just comment an emoji or one word to describe your hope for 2026. No explanation needed, unless you want to give one. 

Mine is 🥳 : I'm going to make it a priority to pay attention to and celebrate other people's wins. It's always been the most touching feeling when someone notices an accomplishment of mine, even a small one, and I need to do better at giving that back to the community. 

The Rules:

Giveaway ends on January 5th at 11:59pm eastern. Open worldwide, I will cover shipping costs. However, if the winner is outside the US you may have associated fees due upon receipt. This is not sponsored or associated with anyone but OklaRoots.

The winner will be contacted directly by me, OklaRoots, in a direct message AND their name will be announced and tagged to this post. Please don’t fall for the scammers and their scammy tricks!

This post is available on both Facebook and Instagram. Winner must be following the OklaRoots account on the platform they submit their response.

Items come from a dog, cat and bird friendly home.
Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • 2025 ByAnnie SewPINK Blog Hop – Making The Zip It Up 2.0
  • 2026 OklaCruise!
  • January 2025 Livestream
  • 2024 ByAnnie #SewPink Breast Cancer Awareness
  • Itty Bitty Boxy Bag Templates – How To Use

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