a Tote for Laura
My weekend wasn't so much about sewing as about other things.... like the Great Leaf Rake of 2015. (Yes, I realize that it's almost spring. We usually have our massive rake in January, when all the leaves are finally down. February is just a wee bit later than that, right?) This year all four of us raked for hours, filling a total of FIVE full size truck loads with compacted, kid-trampled leaves. Thank goodness we can just dump them in our forest to handily decompose.
Would you like to meet our newest arrival? Eleni's still biding her time, but Cinder Pup joined our family last week! She's a little lab mix with a sweet, quiet disposition. Watching her tramp around the yard certainly lightened the leaf-raking mood. That and our traditional after-rake milkshakes. Yum!
In between things, I did get some sewing done. Or at least started. I made this scrappy tote for a very special friend.
The project started with improv blocks pieced from scrap, using all shades of green and highlights of cream.
These I joined up to make two large slabs, each about 20" x 13". In between them I pieced a 6" wide cut of heavy canvas for the bag base.
After backing with fusible fleece and a very close quilting, I boxed the corners a generous 3" to make a roomy tote. The Essex linen lining is also backed with fusible fleece, to give this bag a sturdy body.
Last of all, I basted and sewed on these leather straps. Seems like lately I use Roxanne's glue baste for e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. It's so strong, it really does hold the straps in place nicely while I sew them down!
That green pocket was installed onto the bag lining before assembling the bag, a la my tutorial. Easy peasy. I know someday I should learn drop-in zipper pockets, but this kind always does it for me, so I've been complacent.
Yesterday I had just enough time to put the finishing touches on the bag before my friend Laura arrived. I just love gifting something homemade to someone who "gets it," you know? I think she really liked it! She is indeed truly loved.
Happy Birthday, Laura!
Would you like to meet our newest arrival? Eleni's still biding her time, but Cinder Pup joined our family last week! She's a little lab mix with a sweet, quiet disposition. Watching her tramp around the yard certainly lightened the leaf-raking mood. That and our traditional after-rake milkshakes. Yum!
In between things, I did get some sewing done. Or at least started. I made this scrappy tote for a very special friend.
The project started with improv blocks pieced from scrap, using all shades of green and highlights of cream.
These I joined up to make two large slabs, each about 20" x 13". In between them I pieced a 6" wide cut of heavy canvas for the bag base.
After backing with fusible fleece and a very close quilting, I boxed the corners a generous 3" to make a roomy tote. The Essex linen lining is also backed with fusible fleece, to give this bag a sturdy body.
Last of all, I basted and sewed on these leather straps. Seems like lately I use Roxanne's glue baste for e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. It's so strong, it really does hold the straps in place nicely while I sew them down!
That green pocket was installed onto the bag lining before assembling the bag, a la my tutorial. Easy peasy. I know someday I should learn drop-in zipper pockets, but this kind always does it for me, so I've been complacent.
Yesterday I had just enough time to put the finishing touches on the bag before my friend Laura arrived. I just love gifting something homemade to someone who "gets it," you know? I think she really liked it! She is indeed truly loved.
Happy Birthday, Laura!