quilting

A New Tote

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen that I have a new tote. Last Friday, I spent a delightful day at the home of Nancy (Grace & Peace Quilting), sewing together as we each made a tote.

A New Tote - Nancy and I each made a tote using The Essential Tote pattern by Around the Bobbin - piecefulthoughts.com

Nancy is a pro at making this tote; this is her fourth! It is my first tote using this pattern. I’m pretty sure there will be more. At the end of the sewing day, both of our totes were almost done. I planned to add leather handles to mine.

The tote pattern is The Essential Tote by Around the Bobbin. The tote measures approximately 13″ x 20″ x 4″. The pattern has options for adding either a magnetic snap or zipper closure. I opted to leave my tote open. Nancy added a zipper to hers.

Using fabrics from my stash, the outer yellow fabric is Cotton & Steel, the lower base fabric is a charcoal denim. The lining fabric is a piece left over from the back of a baby quilt. I cannot recall the designer.

A New Tote - The outer fabric of my tote is a yellow Cotton & Steel print and a charcoal chambray - piecefulthoughts.com

Here’s a photo of the base fabric. It has a rough weave, but was easy to stitch through.

A New Tote - The charcoal chambray is a rough weave, but easy to stitch through - piecefulthoughts.com

The lining has pockets on both sides.

A New Tote - The lining of the tote has pockets on both sides - piecefulthoughts.com

For stabilizer, I used Annie’s Soft & Stable. The outer fabrics and lining are also stabilized with SP101.

The straps are two one-inch wide leather handles measuring 28″ long. I notched the corners by the rivets using a regular scissors. To add the rivets, I used this tool set and these rivets. (I found the tool set and the rivets at my local Hobby Lobby.) Following the instructions on the back of the tool set package made the process very simple and easy to do.

A New Tote - I added leather handles with rivets to my tote. Much easier than I expected - piecefulthoughts.com

I did my usual straight line quilting using Aurifil thread in yellow (#2135). The quilting was done before the bag was sewn together.

One more photo of my bag in the afternoon light, showing off the vibrancy of the Cotton & Steel fabric.

A New Tote - An outdoor view to show off the vibrant Cotton & Steel fabric - piecefulthoughts.com

Doesn’t a new tote call for a road trip? I’m ready to go with this toting all my books and quilt projects. Wonder where I should go . . .

Have you made several totes from one pattern? What’s your favorite?

Linking up with Pretty Piney for What I Made Monday and Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Making.

Happy Monday, all!

Wendy

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