Summer Tote

I decided I needed a new little tote for summer.  Something simple and a bit fun, so yesterday, while in the shower, my ideas finally jelled into a design.  Why ideas come to me then, is beyond understanding!  Anyways, I felt confident I had worked out a fun design  and  got busy drawing, cutting and stitching.  Unfortunately,  a few hours later, when I was done, all I could see was mistakes and was discouraged.  Bah!

Today, I feel a bit better about my efforts and braver about sharing it with you. I'm calling it my "Twist & Tie Tote".

The biggest change to my design involved the seam ripper.  My initial plan had the overall shape with the seams of the tote centered, front and back.  Didn't look as good as I had envisioned, plus it messed up the shape (wrapped piece was too tight and the pocket wouldn't curve with the outline of the tote).  So... I ripped out the bottom of the tote and re-orientated it to what you see below.



The wrapped feature on one side of my tote started out as a bow, but had to be modified due to a insufficient amount of the navy dotted fabric.  Necessity being the mother of invention... I ended up with a "twist" instead of the original planned bow.
The fabric I chose is a good weight for a tote, it holds it's shape nicely without being too stiff, although I did add some light weight interfacing to make sure.  I've had this twill weight houndstooth fabric waiting in my stash after I scored it at a thrift sale a couple of  years back.  It's such a bold fabric and  I was looking to balance it.  Mixing it with a solid blue denim in the same weight meant "bold" didn't have to be overwhelming!  Then for fun, I used one of  my favourite fabrics... Henna Garden from Sandi Henderson, for a shot of green to play off all the navy.  Looks summery together, I think! ;o)



One simple pocket with a matching flap and self covered button breaks up all that houndstooth and adds a little organization to the outside of the tote.
 Inside the tote I went all out with adding some organization.  A hidden, zippered pocket on one side and 2 large pockets and a penholder across from it.  I would be lost without pockets!



The part of this tote that really makes me grin, is the split pieced bottom, encircled by some narrow self-made piping.  That shot of green alongside all that navy is one colour combo I'm seriously crushing on!  Changing the orientation of this bottom piece was worth the extra wrestling it took in sewing.  I love piping, but its one of those details that requires patience and goes better with slow, careful sewing.   When I look at the bottom of this bag, I feel that the results were worth it.



So are you wondering what my major disappointment with this bag is?  Me, the detail orientated sewist that I am, made a fundamental boo-boo in my mad dash to stitch this tote up.  The slip-up is nagging at my perfectionist self and if I had only slowed down to really LOOK at my bag, I would've changed it.  I've been smacking my forehead since, believe me. C'est le vie.  I've just been served some humble pie! LOL  See if you can spot my mistake... ;o)


Do you recognize this tote's design as a spin-off from another bag I designed?  Click here to see my first version!

Comments

  1. a beautiful bag.......well done........

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  2. Is it that the pocket is a little wompie-jawed? lol

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  3. (For the record, I think it looks just fine. You're right...that bottom makes it all worth it.)

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  4. I think the bottom piping has gone a little bit off the track..but overall it is a clean looking well made bag..

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  5. The handles would work better if they came from the sides rather than the front and back.I love the colors of the bag. The swag at front could work at two extra outside pockets.

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  6. Love it. Colors, piping, everything. It looks comfy to carry, casual and sporty. Thanks for sharing with us.

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  7. I think perhaps you're being a bit hard on yourself - it looks lovely to me!

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  8. Love the fabric combination that you chose and I really like that you added pockets. So many bags I see don't have pockets and I always think, how do they keep organized.

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  9. Super cute! I love the color/fabric combo.

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  10. What a fab bag! Frustrating when a plan doesn't come together as fast as you want, but your perseverance has paid off. :o)

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  11. A-DOR-A-BLE!!!!

    I was thinking about you the past few couple of weeks.... how the days fly and I wonder if you're still busy with hubby. I am here.

    Hope you're enjoying the summer... it's been a beauty so far.... hot, enough rain to keep things from parching out, and lots of moments to watch the birds in the backyard.

    Wishing you a lovely evening!

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  13. That was my comment...above wink.... I was still working on her blog.....what i meant to say was omg love it...3 colors and all lol

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  14. Geeze Katherine, this bag got past me somehow! What an interesting style. Your workmanship is beautiful as are the fabrics and colors! Well done!

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