Monday, September 4, 2017

Sewing day(s)

Yesterday I watched a video from Quilting in the Rain, and I was inspired to sew a tote bag! Of course I didn't have all the supplies I needed, so I made a trip to JoAnn Fabrics. Yes, I purchased more than I needed. My excuse is that I am easily inspired.

When I returned home, I unpacked my goodies and prepared my materials. I figured I could finish my tote bag in no time. After all, the video is less than 25 minutes. I was so wrong!

First of all, it took me longer to quilt my fabric than I anticipated. I may use pre quilted fabric next time, although that would reduce my fabric choices, and I do have quite a bit of fabric that would look nice in a tote bag.

My next hiccup was that I cut the material for the straps the wrong size. It took me a good 15 minutes to figure out what I'd done wrong. Once that was corrected, I decided I wanted pockets... not one pocket, multiple pockets. All was going well until I realized I had forgotten a step and need to completely take apart the pockets I had made. Sigh!

I finally got everything sorted out and...


My tote bag is finished! I think I want to add a closure of some sort, but I haven't decided what yet.


My pockets worked out well. There are actually 12 pockets in there. Six of them are loaded with little project bags for Palmetto Tat Days. I have plenty of room for my tatting notions, which are still in use, and there's plenty of room for my wallet, keys, and cell phone. I won't have to carry a purse! I think I may make some more of these totes now that I know what I am doing. 😊

So, guess what I did when sewing frustrated me?


If you guessed tatting an Ice Drop, you are correct! This is my Minty Fudge pattern tatted in size 20 Lizbeth #119, Jelly Bean. I do love this color!

If you'd like to try it, here's my Minty Fudge pattern:


Round 1:
  •  Ring: 4-4-4-4, reverse work.
  •  Chain: 6-6, reverse work.
  •  Repeat for a total of 6 rings and 6 chains.
  •  Join last chain to base of first ring with a lock join, reverse work.

    Round 2:
  •  Ring: 6-6-6. Fold ring away from you, toward center of first round.
  •  Chain: 8. Lock join to base of ring from first round.
  •  Repeat for a total of 6 rings and 6 chains, joining rings as you go. Note: insert
  •  glass gem before joining last ring to first ring.

    Round 3:
  •  Chain: 16, reverse work.
  •  Ring: Tat 6 picots separated by 1 ds + 6 picots separated by 1 ds, joining to picot
  •  of round 1 chain, reverse work, slide bead(s) into place.
  •  Chain: 16, reverse work. Lock join to base of ring in first round.
  •  Continue in this manner for a total of 6 pattern repeats. Cut, tie, hide ends. 

21 comments:

  1. My goodness! What a busy and productive day! That's really a great bag and I hope you can add a secure closure. Is it possible to add a zipper at this point? Seems you will be leaving soon for another Palmetto adventure! That ice drop is gorgeous. You make them so effortlessly.

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    1. A zipper is what I would prefer, but I'm not sure I have one that will work and I don't have time to figure out how to insert one and drive to the fabric store again. I'm thinking Velcro will have to be my choice for this bag.

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  2. Zips are good for closures but best put in almost first. I'd use Velcro now as it's quicker to undo. A lass needs to access her tatting things pretty quickly!!

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  3. Fantastic bag, love the material and with this blog post we get a tatting pattern too. Must get around to trying this one - many thanks

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    1. Thanks, Sally! I found the fabric on the clearance table. Even though it's not blue, I was strongly attracted to it!

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  4. You and Jane have both been making bags! - She used Velcro to close hers. What a good idea to do away with the need to cart around a handbag as well. Did you know that in the Aphyu shop there is a new Japanese book of patterns for tatted bags?

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    1. It's been a long time since I've made a bag. Every time I walked in to my sewing room, this fabric called to me. When I saw the video in my blog feed, I knew the the tote and fabric were meant for each other!

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  5. You did make me smile because I always underestimate the time a project is going to take. Super bag, worth spending time on. Those pockets will be really useful. I often use velcro for closing bags too.

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    1. I've never been able to judge time correctly. When daughter Carol was a junior in high school, I was co-sponsor of the junior class and was required to attend prom. The morning of prom, Carol told me my chosen dress was inappropriate. I pulled out some fabric from my stash, cut out a dress before school, came home and sewed the dress in time to wear it for prom. I thought the dress took me about an hour to make when I decided to start... wrong! It took me two hours just in sewing time! Luckily, I made it to prom on time, and Carol was not embarrassed by my choice of dress. :-)

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  6. Your bag looks great!!! :)
    Wow!!! The colors on that Ice Drop really "pop"!!! :)

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    1. Thanks, Sue! I still need to add a closure today. We're off to Palmetto Tat Days tonight!

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  7. Absolutely Love the icedrop - pattern and colours.
    And great bag, too. It will be a hit at Tat Days :-)
    I used to have the same issue with my cooking - watched shows on the tele and they made it seem to quick. But I would end up spending hours in the kitchen (to my DH's horror). Turned out all the prep work required (and later the dishes & utensils to be washed) took way more time - washing, cleaning, chopping, picking out ingredients, etc. etc. Much wiser now ;-P

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    1. Ha ha! Don't even get me started on cooking! It took me a long time to realize that some underling probably spent oodles of time putting all the measured out ingredients in those darling little dishes. No wonder they can cook things so quickly!

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  8. I always underestimate time needed. For chores, usually. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. The chaos just continues to grow!

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    1. Oh, yes! That's why I don't entertain except for family. At least they understand why the chores haven't been done. They've lived with me!

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  9. I love the ice drop. It reminds me of Fall. The bag is fabulous. I watched the video and am making one of handwoven material. I think I'll go with velcro.

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  10. I LOVE that bag, Diane!! At this point I'd suggest a toggle button and fabric loop closure. Velcro would also work but I tend to snag things. At least with it buttoned shut it would be a little more secure. And if it doesn't work well enough, send it to my house. I'll be thrilled to take it off your hands!! ;-)

    I'm envious of you getting to go to Tat Days again. Sending a virtual hug and hi to everyone who will be there! [waving]. Enjoy it all!

    ~Heidi

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  11. Fabulous Fabric Bag with lots of practical and organizational pockets. Gorgeous Ice Drop in your newest pattern. Time...we never have enough time!

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  12. Great bag - love all those pockets! I always think I can complete projects in half the time it really takes. 😖 Oops! Love your Minty Fudge pattern too ❤️

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Just like you, I love getting feedback!