I LOVE owning all different kinds of bags. All of my bags, whether it is a backpack or a purse, have something I would tweak to make it better. Now that I sew I can make ANYTHING I want, other than a zipper, snap, pocket, magnet, or any other type of embellishment.
So, I am making a tote bag. Free of all of those things. The pattern actually calls for a magnet closure and some pleats. I decide to tackle the “pleat”. The magnet will have to wait. Kerry says that magnet closures are super easy, but I don’t trust her opinion anymore. It has become clear to me that her version of easy is VERY different from mine. ANYWAY, I quickly discover that there are different KINDS of pleats! Of course, why just have one? That would be boring and way too simple! This bag calls for knife pleats. Quick, google, help me!! I type in “KNIFE PLEAT” & “BOX PLEAT”. I don’t really like the look of the knife pleat, so I decide on the box pleat. In full disclosure, it really is because I would have to make MANY knife pleats as opposed to ONE box pleat.
See below.
Creating the exterior of the bag was easy! It probably took me less than 30 minutes.
Now onto the handles. I have discovered these great little clips, called Magic Clips! I am slightly addicted to them and have a tendency to use A LOT of them!
My handles, bag AND lining are complete. I just need to assemble. I have learned that lining a bag is not as easy as it may seem. Things are backwards and inside out and don’t ever seem logical. However, I think I am at a point where I am starting to understand. I lined my bag perfectly!! I was soooooo excited! I didn’t even have to seam rip! Again, see below.
I show my beautiful new bag to my husband, who says, “That looks great!!! What is it?”
Me, “A tote bag. Are you blind?”
Darren, “Aren’t tote bags supposed to have handles??”
NOOOOOOO!!! I was so excited about the lining, that I forgot the handles!!! I want to cry.
Aren’t my handles pretty? I made them using 8 million clips and didn’t have to seam rip a thing. BUT, they do me no good separated from my TOTE BAG. I call upon Harry. I named my seam ripper Harry. Harry, I knew, was feeling lonely so I created a job for him! I do take Harry’s feelings into account regularly. Harry fixed my issue with very little effort. Thank you, Harry.
My tote bag is complete! I rate this project as a “one-seam rip” project! Which means anyone can do it.
If you would like the pattern, it is free, just click HERE.
Happy sewing!
Cheers!
Andrea
PS. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog newsletter! This is how I gauge if people are actually reading this!
Creating the exterior of the bag was easy! It probably took me less than 30 minutes.
Now onto the handles. I have discovered these great little clips, called Magic Clips! I am slightly addicted to them and have a tendency to use A LOT of them!
My handles, bag AND lining are complete. I just need to assemble. I have learned that lining a bag is not as easy as it may seem. Things are backwards and inside out and don’t ever seem logical. However, I think I am at a point where I am starting to understand. I lined my bag perfectly!! I was soooooo excited! I didn’t even have to seam rip! Again, see below.
I show my beautiful new bag to my husband, who says, “That looks great!!! What is it?”
Me, “A tote bag. Are you blind?”
Darren, “Aren’t tote bags supposed to have handles??”
NOOOOOOO!!! I was so excited about the lining, that I forgot the handles!!! I want to cry.
Aren’t my handles pretty? I made them using 8 million clips and didn’t have to seam rip a thing. BUT, they do me no good separated from my TOTE BAG. I call upon Harry. I named my seam ripper Harry. Harry, I knew, was feeling lonely so I created a job for him! I do take Harry’s feelings into account regularly. Harry fixed my issue with very little effort. Thank you, Harry.
My tote bag is complete! I rate this project as a “one-seam rip” project! Which means anyone can do it.
If you would like the pattern, it is free, just click HERE.
Happy sewing!
Cheers!
Andrea
PS. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog newsletter! This is how I gauge if people are actually reading this!
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