As part of the Travel Handmade series leading up to The Sewing Summit I decided to leap blindly into the world of bag making and pattern following. You should know that my proficiency in both is less than sufficient.
I cruised the Internet and opted for a tote bag pattern from Alicia Paulson. Considering I waited to the last second possible to actually start making the dern thing, I searched through my fabric stash to find something tote bag worthy.
And settled on this Ruby Star Rising fabric from Melody Miller for Kokka from last year. The pattern calls for quilting cotton and this fabric is a medium weight cotton and linen blend. I figured it would stand up to the wear and tear of a tote bag better than quilting cotton. And I crossed my fingers that it didn't make the bag construction more difficult than necessary.
Luckily for me the linen/cotton blend worked well!
This pattern was easy enough for this pattern-phobe to follow. It was laden with photos for every step of the process.
And I'm pretty dang happy with the result.
Look! I even sewed pin tucks!
Now, if you've looked closely at these photos you'll see that the printed fabric is up-side-down for most portions of the bag. A mention or reminder for directional fabrics would have been helpful in the pattern instructions. And if I were to make this tote again I would probably make the handles longer. The bag finishes at about 11" (28cm) wide, 13" (33cm) tall, and 8" (20½cm) deep, with 16" (40½cm) straps. At that length the bag is primarily for hand holding and I think I would prefer to fling it over my shoulder.
That being said, I enjoyed making this bag and love the finished results. From start to finish this project took just over an hour to make and I think the results are polished and professional looking.
Even if the tea pots and tea cups are up-side-down!
-dana
23 comments:
What a cute bag!
Looks great! I have ventured into the pattern reading world lately too and it is very foreign sometimes.
And it will be right side up when you are emptying out all of your goodies inside!
Fantastic Dana! Love the fabrics you used in there - makes toting groceries even better :)
dana it is so cute. i bought that pattern recently and have it on the top of my to do list. i love the fabrics you chose. it looks great. i like that the teacups are upside down. it gives it character. thanks for the tip about the length of the handles. i like longer handles too.
Ohh! I forgot I bought that pattern from Alicia awhile ago...Now that I see it again and you say it takes and hour, I might get busy and make one...or two...and def with the longer handle...Darling fabric, upside down, right side up, any which way! =-)
cute! I would probably have made the teacups be upside down too :)
I am like you, patterns I usually do not do :)
adorable! And I didn't even notice the upside down teapots!
Dang.
I love it too!
Looks adorable! I have that pattern pinned on my tote bag love board and definitely want to try it. Thanks for the review!
ooops! Looks totally professional imho :) and I love it!
Everything you do is beautiful! And your photographs of your work are amazing. :)
if you hadn't said any thing I thought the upside down stuff was suppose to be that way to make it more whimsical. well done
I bought this pattern also last year. I love it. I think I got the email thing figured out so try to reply and we will see.
Great bag!
I didn't even notice the teacups until you mentioned them! The bag is amazing - and you made it in just an hour? Go you!
Okay, I want that bag and that yellow chair! (I didn't notice the upside down print either.)
I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent job! I did notice about the tea cup fabric being upside down in parts but hey, it isn't affecting the beautiful colors or smart prints one bit :) Enjoy!
Love the bag, and the yellow chair, and that you have your stunning 9-patch in your banner. All of those things brought a smile to my face today. Thank you! :)
Love it! The fabric especially. I'm going to have to try this one.
Cute bag and cute photos! Why is it that it's the little things that trip us up when sewing? Like "right sides together" :)
of course i love, Love, LOVE the "comfortable cup of tea" fabric!
Love the bag-love the photos of the birthday girl. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages : ) But soon right : )
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