I’ve sewn a thing!
My thing is a tote bag. Man-O-Man has it been a long time since I’ve sewn a tote! Back then they were all very simple. This one also was (should have been) simple, but it seems I wanted to sew everything from finish to start rather than from start to finish! I also tried new things.
Slowest thing about it coming together is that I made it up as I went along. Which means it is riddled with mess-ups and made-up fixes. That works for me!
I went to a quilt show last weekend and caught a huge sewing bug! I bought all kinds of new fabrics and patterns and went home and decided to sew with a fabric I already had. I can’t explain how that happened.
I couldn’t resist buying this Tim Holtz numbers fabric. I love numbers. Of course it had to be a one-way print. Why ever would I choose something that could go either way for a tote. Because I am my own worse enemy, that’s why.
I hardly ever buy fabric for a purpose. 99% of my fabric purchases are because I love the print. Then I buy yardage according to how much I think I love the print. I do not usually buy more than a yard. But the number fabric I REALLY LOVED and bought 1 and a half yards.
That lining was an ancient purchase of a half yard. There isn’t much left. That means there is an open spot for a new piece of fabric to lie in wait.
Rather than batting and for durability, I stitched a strip of ultra suede inside the shoulder straps.
Sewing the straps gave me a new inspiration that I’ll be stitching up soon.
Inside the tote.
I have a Dymo label maker and wanted to try some iron-on tape. It ironed on but I don’t trust it so I added stitching.
I also thought I’d like to corral my water bottle. However, I don’t think that was the best plan. I have my doubts that I will like it. Not a problem, easy to chop out if I decide to.
It’s pretty roomy inside. When it goes to the next quilt show, I’m fairly certain I will run out of money before I run out of room to add purchases to it.
There are extra wide selvedges on this fabric. I decided to add some wordy interest to the numbers print by stitching the selvedges along the side seams.
I also seemed to have had a need to add my love of cycling for a bit of added interest. No other rhyme or reason.
Another selvedge section from a bicycle theme print.
I found these leather Hand Made labels so added that also for a bit of interest. From a distance you might think this is a designer bag with a big name on it. NOT.
That’s the “thing” I’ve sewn.
Sadly, I have nothing coming up to use it! Sad face.
