Patchwork Super Tote

I purchased the Super Tote pattern back in the fall, with the intention of making it for myself. With holiday gift making, it got pushed aside, and then, I couldn't decide what fabric to use for the outside. I thought I had settled on doing a quilt-as-you-go exterior, but when I had both panels finished, I decided I didn't love it. I do think I will save them and use them to make a bag for Samantha for school in the fall.

As I thought more about it, I wanted to do something more patchwork-y. I kept thinking about this project bag I had made for a friend, and I decided that I wanted to do something like that. I pulled all of my DS scraps and fat quarters, and got cutting.



I pieced my 2.5" squares into seven rows of seven squares, and fused them to fusible fleece. Then I basted the pattern piece I had cut out of canvas to the patchwork, and trimmed my sides and corners. I did the same for the back piece. For the top small pieces, I did two rows of seven squares.



The gusset and straps are Yarn Dyed Black Essex linen. I basted batting to the outer gusset, and canvas to the inner to give them some extra strength.



I eliminated the interior pockets, because I knew I just wouldn't use them. The interior print is from Half Moon Modern, and I have been hoarding it for a while! I did use a lightweight interfacing on the interior pieces to keep them from being too floppy.



I used more DS for the zipper pieces, and essex linen for the zipper tabs. I fully lined the exterior pocket and used a magnetic snap as well. I didn't even break a needle top stitching it!

I really love the way it came out, and I can't wait to make another one!

Reusable Gift Bags

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you might have heard about my remnant problem. I love to stop at the remnant bin at JoAnn's and pick out something I don't need. :) It has become a real problem with Christmas fabric. I always grab it and think "Oh, I can do something with this!", only to get it home and it is too thin, too short, too sparkly, too something for clothes/quilts/napkins/etc.



I had a brainstorm last winter, and didn't get it done in time, but this year I did - and I'm so glad! It really didn't take but an hour or two to make these, they look cute and my kids really liked them. I simply pulled all those funny pieces out, and some leftovers from other Christmas projects, cut them into various sized rectangles and squares (based on how much fabric I had and how I could best use it), and sewed them into bags! I also used a bunch of holiday ribbon I had purchased for 'something' at some point for the ties.



I made gift tags for the kids with cardstock, washi tape and letter stamps (still need to get one for Henry!). I figure if the bags get ruined, I can make new ones, if the ribbon comes out, I can replace it. Feels so nice to get that out of the stash!