Eclectic Parent

Having finally finished the tote bags for the craft swap, I commented that the problem with projects like this is that about the time you really start to get the hang of things you are done. So with the sewing machine and serger still out on the dining room table, I decided to make some more totes. This time I just got yards and yards of the same fabric, rather than switching each time. I decided to make the bags bigger too, since I’m working with a heavier canvas-type fabric.

Originally I started with the idea from Vintage Fabric Tote Bag and adjusted it a big. It’s just directions, no pattern, so it took a little while to figure out. (OK, very easy directions but I haven’t sewn in years and it was the logistics of having nine fabrics that had shrunk to different sizes as a starting point.) Instead of two separate squarish pieces, I made a pattern using a rectangle. So instead of sewing three side of the two squares together, I folded the rectangle in half (using the fold for the bottom of the bag and elliminating one of the seams) and sewed up the two sides. I made the bags slightly larger than the web site suggested and they made nice small/medium tote bags - a book and a bottle of water size.

This time I have a much heavier fabric so I decided to make larger bags. Plus the fabric is 52″ wide instead of 42″. The kids weren’t directly involved in figuring out what size to make the body, lining and straps but I think it’s great that they hear the conversation. Plus, one of our biggest thoughts on homeschooling is that we don’t want our children to think that learning takes place from 8:00 - 3:00. Part of the way we do that is making sure they see us learning new things, figuring things out and being curious about the universe.

Almost - almost - done and days later than I wanted to be. The thicker fabric is difficult to work with. That plus the lining is causing wrinkles. Oh well. The cutting, serging, putting together, inverting straps, and finally sewing is taking longer than I’d hoped.

I’ll get some pictures up soon.