Finally, a finish

Although I thought it was not the easiest bag I have ever put together, I finally finished the “tote from hell”.  I had to take off the bottom, which I think had incorrect cutting instructions, and add a larger one.  After that it went together fairly easily.

Finished tote with starfish applique

finished tote, inside with pockets

I put a decorative stitch around the top of the bag which I don’t like and will attempt to remove.  That should keep me busy for quite a while.

I have been working on Ella’s monkey quilt which has some quilting on the top but isn’t yet completed.  Her birthday is the 24th so I have to get busy.  I took her dad’s monkey quilt to a local LA quilter and hope to have it back in time to get the binding on before her birthday as I want to give them both at the same time.  More pics when it’s done.

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Tote bag from hell

A few posts ago I showed the tote bag pattern I had purchased at a little quilt shop in NH.  My idea was to whip up a few of these and put them in my Etsy store, which it still empty.

You may not be able to tell from the photo but it clearly states that the pattern is designed for the advanced beginner.  Well, I consider myself that and maybe a little more.  I think I could be considered an intermediate but this little tote is kicking my butt.  I decided to make one for myself as a prototype and to familiarize myself with the pattern and the way it goes together.  HA.  First of all, there are dozens of pieces to be cut which took me at least a couple of hours.  There is the pattern to be fused to the front; I added some decorative stitching.  There is the lining to make.  All that went together fairly easily but certainly wasn’t “whipped up” like I had in mind.

Then came the bottom of the bag.  The front and back were cut at 10 1/2″ and the side pockets were cut at 4 1/2″.  No problem.  However, the bottom was cut at 10 1/2″ x 3″.  It seems to me that I’m about 1″ short on each side considering that they are finished at 4″ after they are pieced to the front and back.  I even tried easing in the side to fit the bottom but with the interfacing the sides were too full and the whole thing looked like, well let’s just say, not very good.  I ripped the whole bottom off last night and have decided to cut another bottom and make it bigger.  That is the only solution I can come up with at this point.  There is no way I will be making a number of these to sell; way too much work unless I find a way to streamline the project.

Tote bag fabrics

Tote bag and lining with pockets, unfinished

I will admit that I’m happy with the way it is turning out but it won’t hold very much if I don’t get a bottom on it.

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