Tale of Three totes - part trois

This is the third bag in the series!  All three are from my same basic pattern.  This one was inspired by a Valentino bag that Dr. P gave me for Christmas last year.

Here is my version:



Bag Back

Close up of the tag on the back

Side of bag 

I hope you have enjoyed the tale of three totes.  If you have been inspired, please leave me a post or check off a box in the comment section.

Happy Sewing,

Michele P



A tale of Three Totes

As I looked around my house, I realized that my knitting and crochet projects were taking over!  They seem to be reproducing at a remarkable rate - yet none were completed!  How does that happen?  Anyway - I decided it was time to start making project totes to reign in the chaos!

Here is the First of three I made:

Bag Front

 You may notice that some of the flowers are double. I cut them out of a floral fabric, used my fave no fray spray and added them to create a three dimension look.

Bag Back

 This is a close up of the front flower.  I added tiny petersham to the center of the flower and a little dream pin.

Close up of the inside.  

I used clear plastic from Jo Ann's, made bias tape to cover the top and sides to create a pocket that  holds notions. 

Close up of the side. 

This 'flower' is a hard plastic button.

Close up of the top trim and beads.  The trim is vintage and so are the beads.

Close up of the magnetic snap

Happy Sewing,

Michele P

Slip Cover Totes

I had an A-Ha moment as I was reading my good friend Julie's award winning blog From These Hands, that I too have been making mostly craft projects rather than major sewing projects.  I suppose that I needed projects that are quick to completed during the crazy Christmas season.  Now that the holidays are over and things seem to be calming down, I plan on completing my numerous UFOs and work on my "spring 2011" line!

I call these slip cover totes because the process feels like a slipcover. I have made many of these for myself and as girlfriend gifts.  This is the first one I made.

The major challenge in making a slip cover tote is finding the tote.  When I find a style I like I purchase all they have.  

Close up of the embroidery

I made this "logo" by stacking black linen, embroidery, then two trims stacked.

This is the latest Slip Cover Tote

Again, I made the "logo" by stacking two colors of linen (yellow and pink) then the green w/pink embroidery and topping off with purchased trim. Add the tassel trim, flowers, and purchased handle and you are almost done.

Lastly, I added a little tag just to shuze it up.  This wording was on the selvage edge of the pink animal print fabric and I think it was the name of the fabric print.  So appropos.

Have fun with it!
Michele P