I had a bit of a change of pace this week – No quilts, but instead I worked on a scrappy quilted tote bag for a yet-to-be-revealed friend of mine. A group of us from the Imagine circle of Do. Good Stitches bee decided to do a swap this month and this is the item I’ll be sending my partner. I can’t reveal who it is yet, but I still wanted to show what I’ve been working on.
I used a fantastic tutorial that Amanda (a.k.a Jedi Craft Girl) wrote on her blog. I used her same measurements, but instead of using a solid piece of fabric for the top half of the bag I pieced that section.
I did sketch everything out before I began, and here’s what I came up with:
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| front panel |
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| back panel |
First of all, I cut my low volume squares – everything is 2.5”. You’ll need a total of 57 squares but don’t sweat – it won’t take you long to cut them.
Then I cut the 2.5” squares of my bright fabrics.
I put both panel arrangements up on my design wall just to make sure I liked the look. Then I sewed them into rows. Odd numbered rows get pressed to the left and even numbered rows get pressed to the right. This helps the seams nestle together nicely when you’re sewing the rows together, which is the next step!
Once the front and back panel are pieced then proceed with the rest of the tutorial as written.
The bag is a medium to large size – it measures 7” deep, 14” high, and 13” wide. It has one nice long pocket inside, which I divided into sections for pens, cell phones and sunglasses. I think if I make this again I’ll add another pocket on the other side as well.
I’ve really only made a handful of bags and totes in the past several years and every time I make one I wonder why I don’t make more! I wish I could just copy/paste this one so I’d have my own but I have a couple of deadlines calling my name this weekend.
To go along with the bag I’m adding a small packet of fabric and (of course) chocolate. Everything will be in the mail tomorrow!
Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it up Friday
This is great! Thanks for sharing your own tutorial and for linking to the other one. I'd love to make my own in the future. :)
ReplyDeleteLauren Deel, I found this old comment on this page and wanted to reach out to you. My maiden name is Deel and was wondering if we might be related.
DeleteReally pretty! Well done.
ReplyDeleteVery sweet!
ReplyDeleteDarling! I have been asked to make some bags for an orphanage in Honduras. I think I this might be the perfect pattern. Thanks for all of your creativity that you share with the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteI love it! And such a sweet pkg deal :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fairly easy to put together bag. I am thinking maybe for a diaper bag for myself with those great pockets inside! I LOVE the low volume look completely too!
ReplyDeleteLovely bag! Well done!
ReplyDeletelove this bag. I still am yet to make a bag - but I may just copy this one now :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful bag! Love the piecing and colors!
ReplyDeleteSusie
Wow, thank you for sharing this darling tote and the diagram for your plus piecing! And your bundle of stash with a sweet candy of solids. Who can resist them?
ReplyDeleteYour choice of colors/fabrics on this are fantastic! Love your balance of low volume vs lovely colors. Excellent work, and a gorgeous bag!
ReplyDeleteI love your tote bag; the recipient is one lucky lady!! Thanks for the tutorial on the patchwork. I hope to make one soon.
ReplyDeleteI used your scrappy modification and made this for a fabric challenge with the Modern Quilt Guild (giving full credit, of course, to you and JediCraftGirl). Thank you so much, I was really struggling with pinning down a project, and when I saw yours, I knew this would be it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed reading your tutorial and the bag is beautiful. Thank you. X
ReplyDeleteLove this. Came over from Little Miss Shabby's blog. She made one too!
ReplyDeletenice
ReplyDeleteDid 3 of these as end of the year teachers gifts. Was super easy to follow instructions. They were very well received and appreciated! Thanks a bunch!
ReplyDeleteI love this tote! Great size and so fun to make. Made one years ago and just made a new one using soft and stable instead of batting, and recycled belt for handles.
ReplyDelete