Giant Tote for Mom

Mom requested a large tote for Christmas. I was happy to oblige, as I love creating new bags. Her request was something, big, sturdy, roomy and quilted. Well, since the request came only two days before I had to ship it out to get it to her on time, I had to go with pre-quilted fabric from Joann's.

I used french seams for the sides of the bag and bias tape to finish off the top and the inside bottom where I boxed the corners.

Please excuse the somewhat lame pictures...I had to take these at night so I could box it up and get it shipped out the next morning:)

Whew!!!

Is anybody else feeling some of this rush?? I think I need some much needed chill time wrapping some presents...oh wait...I guess I need to FINISH the presents if I want to wrap them, no? Dilemma.

On the other hand, my little girl had 2 birthday parties for 3 girls 2 weeks ago. Um, has anybody checked out the stores lately?? That would cost us at least $30, before tax, for a very simple gift. So I opted for lovely handmade out of the stash with purchased crayons and coloring books, costing us a mere $7. Score.

For easy and simplicity in the making process, these bags ware not lined and the handle is a simply grosgrain ribbon. The bag is made to perfectly fit a handful of coloring books and ten beautiful crayons. 

Fair Trade

My friend, Chelsea, rocks at crochet. Me? Not so much, and trust me, I've tried. So, since the cold season is coming...no, it is not quite here yet...I was thinking ahead and decided to contact her to see if I could commission her to make my kids a couple of beanies. Well, she came back with an offer. "How about a trade?" I loved it! Perfect idea. See, she was in need of a giant bag in which to carry her ever-extending supply of yarn. I cannot even tell you how excited I was. I love the idea of trading, to use my own talents to "purchase" something we need or want. Love it. Anyway, I haven't received the hats yet, but I simply couldn't wait to show you the bag I made for her, as I am completely in love with how it turned out.

When she said "giant" bag my mind immediately went straight to Heather Ross' "Everything Tote" from one of my fave books, Weekend Sewing. I made this tote (linked to my personal blog from before the days of H & D) a while back to use as our swim bag, and it has been well-used and well-loved.

 Just as I did with the first tote I made, I added a solid 3" to the bottom to give it a little more depth. This particular bag was made with a stretchy linen-type fabric that I picked up at the thrift store a few months ago and it is accented with what I believe is some Michael Miller fabric that I bought because I loved it, and I was so glad to use it on this project.

A special request from Chelsea was to have some crochet hook pockets:

I left it to hang on my kitchen hutch for a few days before I sent it just to admire it...and to talk myself out of keeping it for myself:) Anyway, I just hope she loves it as much as I do:)

Air-peene!!

The little man in my house is two. And utterly obsessed with anything wheels or wings. He also is obsessed with anything his sister has. Like her very beloved backpack, that she'd really rather not share with him...

 So I thought it was an appropriate occasion to get the boy his own backpack.

Of course, I used Rae's marvelous Toddler Backpack pattern. It is such a simple pattern to follow and with such fabulous, sturdy results. Here are some of the specs on how I construct the backpack. I used a quilt weight cotton, medium interfacing and line it with muslin. I love the weight of the backpack this way. Also, I added that fun little pocket in the front, because I am pretty sure all little ones need a special little place to store their most precious of rocks and leaves. If you're wanting to make one, I would definitely check out the Toddler Backpack flickr group for inspiration. Holy Moly. I always get blown away at the cuteness. You've been warned.

So he's off for an adventure, cars and trucks and airplanes loaded into the backpack for safe-keeping.

Party Gift Bags Tutorial

So there's a little girl in my house. She used to be 3. Now she's four. And in case you didn't know (because she WILL tell you) 5 comes right after 4, and that is some seriously exciting news.

Well, in celebration of this lovely news, we threw a party. And we wanted to send along a little something to all the fun friends who came to celebrate with her. We gave gift bags with two crayons, a printed coloring sheet, a Silly Bandz bracelet, and a small bag of the very best gummi bears.

In an effort to be green-like and to make the bag a part of the gift (not just a cellophane sack that would be thrown out before they even left our driveway...) I decided to come up with a super quick gift bag. And let me tell you, these really were super quick. I finished all 12 in under 1 1/2 hours. Not bad.

So, in case you wanted to make your own, here's a quickie tutorial:

First, you'll need an 18" x 7" piece of fabric (enough for one bag, so cut as many of these as you need bags...), coordinating thread and 2 20" pieces of something to use as drawstrings. (I used single fold bias tape, but I wished  I would have had white grosgrain ribbon on hand...would have taken less time.)

Finish all four sides of you piece of fabric with a zig zag, overlock or serged stitch.

Iron your two long sides a 1/4" in to the wrong side. Then iron your two short sides in 1". 

Now edge stitch your two short sides down about 1/8" from the finished edge of the fabric.

Then, fold your fabric in half, wrong sides together and stitch down both sides, starting 1" from the top of the bag, sewing very close to the edge of the fabric.

Your bag is finished! Now you just need to add drawstrings. Like I said before, I used single fold bias tape and zig zagged all the way down . Just feed it through one of the sides of the bag and tie the ends together. Do the same on the other side of the bag.

Now fill that cute little thing with goodies!

Make a bigger size to use as a library bag or a quiet activity bag for church or dining out. This is such an easy, versatile design, you can really use for just about anything!

Sharing the love at:

>

Reusable Produce Bags Tutorial

Okay. I am bugged by plastic produce bags. We use these bags for about an hour. Then we get them home, empty out the produce into the fridge or fruit basket and throw the plastic bag away. A waste. I have been doing this for years and only just recently realized, "Hey! Why I am doing this? I should make produce bags."

So here we are. A project for all skill levels and really quite inexpensive.

What you will need:

Nylon mesh (I found mine at Joann's, but if you want to be SUPER eco-friendly, upcycle a laundry bag from the thrift store, or your home.)
Nylon cording (I used cotton cording, but wouldn't recommend it.)
Thread, sewing machine, etc...
 

You ready?

First, on the fold, cut a 10 x 15"  piece from your mesh (this would be 20 x 15" UNfolded)

Then, using a Medium zig zag stitch (mine was set at 3), sew about 3/4 of an inch down the long side. Then lift your needle, leave about a 3/4 inch gap and then continue sewing all the way down and across the bottom as well. (my finger is where I left a gap...this is where we will later insert the cording)

Okay, then you need to fold the top down about 3/4" and, using that same zig zag stitch, sew all along the top, creating the casing for your cording. (Don't worry about pinning any of this. It's so futile with the mesh)

Turn your bag right side out and you will see your hole that you created in the first sewing step. Insert your cording here and you are done!

Don't you love a quick, satisfying project?? I cranked out 4 of these sucker sin about 20 minutes. You really can't beat that.

Linking to:

Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Blue Cricket Design: Show and Tell

Zebra Stripes

A daughter of a friend of mine needed a new backpack so she though maybe she'd make her a drawstring backpack...but she was a bit intimidated at the thought and was having trouble finding the time. So, I offered. Why? Because I like having the excuse to make something I may not otherwise need to make. Well, her daughter loves it. Just cool enough for a 12-year-old, you know?

She loves zebra print anything, so her mom (Hi Tina!) bought this fabric for the project. She chose a heavy canvas-like fabric for the exterior, which was fine, but it made it a little difficult to close. Other than that, this backpack is loaded with pockets and personality, perfect for the 'tween.

I used this tutorial over at Happy Things, which includes a padded bottom for the bag, which I thought would be a good idea since it will be holding books and binders and such. I wouldn't suggest using this tutorial unless you are familiar with making your own patterns, but otherwise, it was really a rather simple design and came together quite quickly.

Reversible Tote Bag TUTORIAL!!

Well folks, we're settled here in our new home (and by settled I mean we only have 1-2 boxes in each room and we are no longer swimming in packing paper...merely wading in it) and I am back here for good.

And you know what?? I've made another tutorial. I know, its about time. And this one is easy peasy!! Perfect for a kids' restaurant bag, a church bag, library bag or to stow away lunch away from home. So, remember this bag?? (and the promised tutorial??) Well, I'm delivering. Please let me know if something doesn't make sense and I will do my best to clarify.

What you'll need:
2 18 x 18 squares each of two coordinating Home Dec weight fabrics
matching thread
and other more obvious sewing notions...like, a sewing machine;)

(for the sake of this tutorial and the ease of understanding I will refer to my choices of fabric as the print [which is red] and the solid [yellow], though of course, you can use two prints or two solids or whatever you darn well please:) )

1. Place your prints right sides together and sew around 3 sides

2. Now we're going to "box out" the bottom of the bag. To do this, you take the bottom corner and fold it opposite of the the seam that was sewn. I boxed mine out 2.5 inches and marked it with pins.

3. Now sew where you marked and cut off the excess and set aside this part of the bag. We'll come back to it

4. Now do the same thing for the solid fabric, only, leave about a 4" opening in the center of the bottom to allow for turning

5. Now for a pocket. I made mine about a 5 x 7. Double fold and press all sides, but only sew down one edge, this will be the top of your pocket.

6. Place your pocket on the right side of your solid fabric, pin and sew.

7. We need straps!! You can make these any size you want but here are my dimensions. I cut them 28"x 2.5" which allowed for seam allowances and turning. And I cut enough for two straps, but some people like to have only one. You decide. You'll place one print and one solid right sides together and sew down the long sides. Then turn your strap right side out and sewn a finishing stitch about 1/4 " from the edge, to keep the strap from shifting around. Do this for the other strap.

8. Go grab your print bag and its time to place your straps. Place them 2" from the edge of the bag and pin. Do this for the other side, and be sure that the solid side of the strap is facing out.

Now, to put the bag together for a beautifully lined, reversible bag:) :)
8. You are going to place your print RIGHT SIDE OUT inside your solid, which is INSIDE OUT. Be sure the straps are safely tucked inside, then pin all around the top of the bag. Then you will sew around the entire top of the bag. (don't mind the weird seam you see down the center of the solid in the picture below. I pieced together my solid side)

9. Remember that little 4" hole you left on the bottom of your solid? Reach in and pull out your print!!

10. Top stitch around the top of your bag to secure the straps and keep everything from shifting around and hand sew a blind stitch to close up the 4" hole and you've got yourself a pretty sweet tote bag!! Congrats! Now go show it off!!