Dawne's First totes- one with charms!

[justdawne]

Hi all,

I feel like there should be music or fanfare of some kind. I didn't know if I could do it but I think I have. I was able to make a tote bag out of some lovely Moda charms from the Acorn Hallow line. (thanks mequilter!)

Here is a simple grocery tote made exactly as the pattern from Creative Thimble dictates.

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Inside I've covered cardboard to hide the raw seams. The bag and insert were made with stiff patio furniture fabric.

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This one is fancier but not a true Charm Party Tote. Instead I've modified the free pattern from Creative Thimble. The lining is done very differently than what I saw on Michelle's tutorial. Later I hope to get the pattern and make a proper Charm party tote but I think this is a nice intermediate step.'

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Dawne

[Oasis]

Very Nice Dawne!!!! I didn't think I could make one either. I've grown/stretched with my projects so much since being here on the forum.

Love the striped fabric. Was it hard to sew with and manipulate? I've thought about using some of the tapestry/upholstery fabric but not sure if my machine would be able to handle some of the larger seams.

Now that we all have so many totes, I don't know where to keep them. LOL

[Grammy2]

Very brave of you to do stripes. Was that hard to do? I am always afraid to use fabric that has it. Love the charm pack. I need to get busy & make one too.

Great job you have been very busy.

sharon

[luv_2quilt60]

good Job.....I need to make me some totes....again, great job..........


Beverly

[MAWmum]

Great job!

[MastiffMomQlt]

nice!

[sadiedaisy1]

Nice! I like the idea of using the patio furniture fabric for the tote bag. I might have to do that-it would make a great farmers market/grocery bag as it's sturdier & probably washes well too.

[lorettav]

WOW! Very nice. Patio fabric would be perfect for the beach or to take on a cruise, also. Thanks for the idea. The cardboard in the bottom is near genious.

[justdawne]

Thank you everyone for the nice comments. I'm really pleased overall and feel like I'll be continuing to make totes throughout the summer.

The patio furniture fabric (striped) was a DREAM to work with. The strips happened to be perfectly straight and square and made measuring and cutting a snap.

The fabric is quite stiff and I thought it would be best for my first time out. I used cotton twill for the lining.

Fusible fleece is so hard to get here and when you can find it you pay for it BIG TIME. I'm going to looking into using interface or fusible web or something cheaper than fusible fleece.

The second tote has fusible web fused to needle punch and the charms are normal quilting cotton.


dawne

[SewSew]

Dawne, I have a book called "Carry with Style" by Indygo Junction, Inc and they suggest you use two layers of fusible interfacing in place of the fusible fleece. Maybe that would be a better buy for you than using fusible fleece for your totes, or at least worth a try.

I love both of your totes, the one in outdoor fabrics would make a great grocery bag or a beach bag for wet swimsuits.

Ann