Have you sewn with leather?  What about rivets, interfacing and magnetic snaps?

I know this is a quilty kind of place, but you can't be out and about in our sewing community without running into enticing bags.  Maybe you've thought about sewing something three-dimensional for awhile and only need a little push.  Or maybe you’ve sewn a simple tote before, but haven’t ventured into using those notions that give a nicer finish. 

Well the time has arrived.  Announcing the Crosscut Market Tote Challenge!

The Challenge

The good folks at Crosscut Sewing Co. have sponsored our challenge to bring leather, interfacing and hardware to a sewing machine near you.  Challengers will receive the Market Tote Bag Kit with their choice of black, chestnut or tan leather handles. Inside you’ll find a copy of the Crosscut Market Tote pattern, rivets, magnetic snaps, handles and a Peltex bag bottom.

But that’s not all! Have some fun choosing a canvas fabric for your tote exterior and a quilting cotton for the lining. Crosscut will send our challengers fabrics and the other interfacings you'll need to complete the project (fusible fleece and shape flex).  Armed with all that gear and a motivating deadline, this is your chance to go forth and conquer dimensional sewing!

A few canvas fabrics to whet your appetite:

Are you game to join our challenge?

How it Works

On Friday I'll update this post to announce the 3 participants, our market tote challengers.  Each challenger will also be contacted by email or Instagram messaging. As soon as we have your address info and fabric choices, Crosscut Sewing Co. will send your supplies, likely getting them in the mail by Monday the 18th.  Then, you’ll be all set to dive in.

There's a deadline!  Really, it's a good thing, cause that means you'll enjoy this now.  You must finish sewing your project and share pictures by Monday, April 1st.  (For that reason and due to unpredictable shipping speeds, we're going to have to limit the challenge to U.S. residents.)  Participants can share the results on their blog, on Instagram or simply email me some photos. 

We want to see what you make. In fact, you and your project will be featured here!  On April 3rd I'll be posting about our challengers, with pictures of your project and hopefully some tidbits about your process.  How did the interfacing treat you? What was the trickiest part? Would you use leather handles again?

Now, all we have to do is figure out which of you are destined to get your tote on. So, go ahead, convince me. Are you ready to try something new?

Pssst… be sure to leave your email address, so that I can contact you, and a link to your blog or Instagram is helpful too.

Update, March 15th: Congrats to our challengers! Meredith Eaten, Rachel Switzer and Laurie Matthews are the lucky readers selected to receive a free set of supplies and fabrics for the Crosscut market tote. They’ll be sharing their finished totes with us soon!

Not selected, but keen to make a tote? You can still play along! Purchase the kit which comes with a printed copy of the pattern or access the free tutorial. If you finish yours by April first, do send a photo my way for possible inclusion with our challengers! Psst… rivets are easier to set with a simple tool, but you can also use a rubber mallet and solid surface.

Since challengers have been selected, comments are now closed.