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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Patchwork Please! :: Handy Market Tote

This week's project was another that caught my eye at first glance through Ayumi's book. But when I read through step #1 this morning, I was stumped with the 'folded strip.' So I conferred with Amber, our sew along blogger who had already made the tote, and she set me straight. It should read 'folded strip of elastic'. Ah ha. Once I got that little detail, it was smooth sailing!

I really loved the combo of fabrics I chose for the tote: Essex yarn dyed in blackiHaus by Cloud9architextures, heath, and some classic dots. And construction was a breeze. Though one other thing to note is that if you want your bag to look like in the book, add "top-stitch along top edge" to the end of step #3.

In the interest of time in a busy week, I did take a couple of short-cuts that I thought wouldn't affect my enjoyment of the bag. I omitted the interior pockets and also the button closures on the large exterior pockets. With the heavy interfacing (I used Pellon 809 Decor-Bond), I didn't think the pockets needed the closure, and I'm perfectly happy with my choice. Since I was using fat-quarters for the pockets, the sides of the tote coordinate, but are different.

One of the features I really like is the handles. For one, they are good and strong and wide. Another - the pattern has you 'double them up' right where you'll hang on to them, a feature I think I'll find very useful, and I'm glad to have tried this method just for the sake of trying it.


Though I had a bit of a stumble-start, I am thoroughly pleased with my finished bag. It's a keeper!

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday.

19 comments:

  1. It's a great bag Debbie! I love your fabric choices- especially the contrasting (matching?) pockets! Very striking!

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  2. Great looking tote Debbie! Love the fabrics you chose.

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  3. Nice. I like the fabrics, I would like to have them too. :-)

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  4. Love your choices, beautiful! I'm still amazed at what you get done, you are superwoman! Thank you for helping me to keep focused!

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  5. That tote turned out awesome, and I love the graphic print. It's too funny that I have polka dots picked out for my handles. I may have to adjust now. :)

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  6. Beautiful tote Debbie - love the fabrics together!

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  7. It looks great Debbie. Wish I was a bit better at putting fabrics together. I love these. And yay for helpful friends too, who can help make fuzzy directions clearer!

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  8. Too bad you like it... I was just about to offer you to take it off your hands ;) I love your fabrics. Eye catching and unusual. I'm sure it will be used a lot :)

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  9. Thanks for passing on the folded strip tip!
    Looks great, Debbie! Love the fabrics you chose!

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  10. This bag is going to turn heads! You'd better be prepared to tell people you made it, then take some orders. Awesome fabric choices!

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  11. I just started to make mine today and ingot stuck on the first step too. I even read it out loud to the hubby and he just looked at me like what do you want me to do about it. I'm so glad I wasn't the only one. Too funny!!! Hopefully I'll catch up this week!

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  12. Love this bag!! The fabrics are just beautiful!

    Susie

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  13. So glad I found your website: Had the same problem with this pattern and reading your instructions really helped. Thank you! :-)

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