Sewvivor - Bag Challenge

I have to admit that this Challenge was one that I was most excited about - I love a good bag!  I originally thought about another Weekender but decided to try out a new tote pattern for this challenge.  Turns out I love it and can't wait to make another one!  

It's no secret that I love a black and white polka dot background as well as incorporating mini blocks whenever possible on a bag and this one is no exception.  I contacted Mahriam of Three Owls Handmade to see if she'd let me use her pattern and was thrilled when she agreed.  (I believe it will be available to on her website soon!)  The Nova Tote pattern calls for a canvas bag with a featured block for the center front pocket; however I pieced nearly all of the bag. 

It all started with a mini Thimble Blossoms Swoon block.  One of the reasons I have enjoyed mini blocks lately is they allow me to work on precision piecing and my technique with all the small pieces.  The mini Swoon is the star of the front pocket of the bag and I flanked it with strips of coordinating prints.  

For the back, I used four mini Spools and then made twelve scrappy hourglass blocks for the center panel. 

There was a fair amount of math involved to make sure that everything would line up correctly after the straps were attached. :-)

This was my first time using Soft & Stable for a bag and I really love how the bag maintains a great shape even with nothing in it.  For the front panel, I quilted a piece of Essex linen with straight lines so that the pocket panel would be the main focus.  

The straps and bottom of the bag are also Essex linen and lined with Soft & Stable as well.  

I fused SF-101 behind the linen and the pieced panels before quilting to help add more stability and keep the pieced panels from shifting too much while quilting. 

Since I had piecing on the back and the front pocket panel meeting at the sides, I decided to add a strip of piping down the sides of the bag.  I love how this adds a little something and gives that "break" I was looking for between the two panels. 

The top of the bag, inside pocket, and front exterior pocket are all bound with a red print and finished by hand on the inside of the bag. 

The bag is fully lined and I added a couple of features here as well.  I sewed a panel on one side to make three pockets across the back inside of the bag.  The bag is a great size (about 20 inches across at the top and about 15 inches tall), so I also added a key fob so I wouldn't have to rummage for my keys when out and about.

Overall I love how it turned out and can't wait to carry it all over the place!

I hope you'll stop by Rachel's blog and vote on the Bag Challenge Round!  See all the entries herehttp://www.familyeverafterblog.com/2014/08/sewvivor-3-quilted-bag-projects-voting.html.

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Project Details: 
Patterns Used:  Nova Tote (to be published soon) - Three Owls Handmade; Mini Swoon & Spools - Thimble Blossoms
Fabrics: RK Essex Linen Yarn Dye Black; Moda Essential Dots White Black (block background & pocket linings); Daysail by Bonnie & Camille for Moda (blocks - due out in February 2015); Miss Kate by Bonnie & Camille for Moda (bag lining); April Showers by Bonnie & Camille for Moda (bindings)
Notions/Other: Soft & Stable - By Annie; Pellon SF-101, Aurifil 50 wt thread

Go Team!

Hey y'all!  I wanted to stop in and share a bag that I made the other weekend.

A sweet friend of mine had a birthday and she's a huge fan of our alma mater - NC State.  I decided to make her a fun tote ... wanna see?

I made this using the Abby Tote pattern by V & Co.  I made a few slight changes to the pattern to suit my tastes.

I used an old b&w print that I had in my stash and cut it a little differently than the pattern layout suggested .... I did this mostly to maximize my fabric for how I wanted to use it.  I am kind of glad I used a busier print since without the tie, the loops blend right in and are fairly unnoticeable.

I figured the b&w would be a great everyday and you can add a scarf or tie in just about any color. I thought this red chevron was too cute, though ... especially for a game day giving!  :-)

I also lengthened the straps a little and interfaced the entire bag (except the bottom portion of the lining) with both SF-101 and a layer of duck cloth to give it a little more body and durability.  After making my Super Tote, I really enjoy having a bag that I feel is tough enough for everyday.

What's your favorite tote pattern to make?

Happy Sewing! :-)

Sunnyside Super Tote

Hey y'all!

Last weekend, we had a mother-daughter sew down and I made it my business to make a Super Tote by Noodlehead. And I am so glad I did!

This bag was pretty easy to put together and one I would definitely make again.  I also was fortunate to have Lee there to help me as she has made several.  (Thanks, Lee!)

I used some Essex Yarn-Dyed linen for the sides and straps.  All the other fabrics are from the gorgeous Sunnyside collection by Kate Spain.  I used prints from the Shade and Opal color way and I love how it turned out.  Like. really. love. it.

This tote is actually really quite large.  I was surprised at how much stuff I could fit in it.  I did make a few changes to the pattern.  I only put one set of elasticized pockets on the inside.

I also top stitched over the straps at the top of the bag to hold them in place and keep the bag from rolling down.  I also fully lined the front pocket and used extra interfacing in several places as well as a layer of cotton duck to help with the shape.

I really love how it turned out.  Did I mention that already?!

Happy Sewing! :-)

WIP Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, y'all!  I sure am whipped after a long day of freshmen orientation at work yesterday ... but I am really here to tell you about a new work-in-progress WIP I have going on this week. :-)

Now that I am free to "sew whatever I want" with the FSU quilt done, I got to work on some fun things I've had waiting in the wings for way to long ... including a Anne bag from Clover & Violet.

I wanted to use a bigger print for the body of the bag and decided to go with a large bouquet print from the Flora line.  This fabric is just so pretty.  :-)  Since I didn't have pieces to guide my quilting, I grabbed a ruler and a FriXion pen and marked a grid on the fabric.

For the top band, I used a coordinating Flora print and made some ruffles by pulling the threads.
I had actually bought a ruffler foot some time ago when a store was closing.  I pulled it out for this project and was disappointed to realize that the shank on the foot doesn't fit my machine.  :-(  But ruffling by hand wasn't that bad.

Here's the shell of the bag all ready for the lining to be added.  I think its looking really good so far and the pattern is really easy to follow.  :-)

Hope you are having a wonderful week so far!

Happy Sewing!  :-)