Quick project tonight … took very little time.

I measured my checkbook cover and cut out some of the leftover tote bag fabric to make a new cover. I decided to feature the handle fabric as the main fabric.

This is a picture of the two inner pockets. The floral fabric is the inside lining, and the dotted fabric will be the outside. I sewed a piece of canvas in between, but I don’t think it was necessary. I stitched along the top edge, turned it to the right side, and edge stitched.

Next, I pinned the pockets to the lining and basted them into place.

No picture of this step, but I layered the outside fabric, another piece of canvas, and the above piece all together, right sides together. Stitched around most of the way, leaving a hole for turning it right side out. Then edge stitched all around.

The layers of canvas made the fabric pieces bulky - a little too bulky. It was hard to make nice corners, and the edge stitching is not well done. The fabric was too thick. And when folded, the front is a little short.

I think I’m going to make another, with less canvas (maybe interfacing instead?) and cut the pieces a little bigger. (The main piece here is 7 3/4 x 7 3/4, but maybe I should make it 8 1/2 x 7 3/4 next time to compensate for the fold)

No larger photos this time - I’ll wait for the better finished product.

The Day in the Park Backpack Tote is done, and now with pictures! Unfortunately, a lot of them were blurry, so these were the best.

I love the mixture of the Amy Butler fabrics - they are from the Midwest Modern Collection.

The pattern was extremely well written and easy to follow. The only thing I couldn’t do was get the rivets through all those layers of fabric in the handles. I had to just stitch them, and it doesn’t look as good as the rivets would.

If I were to add anything, if I make another (one in winter colors, perhaps?), I might add a loop inside with a key hook, so I could easily access my keys. Other than that, I think the bag is perfect.

I took photos of my great, wonderful, new tote bag that I finished sewing, and … there wasn’t a memory card in the camera.  Oops. So that will have to wait.

I have an idea in my head for the ‘one yard’ challenge/submission, and hopefully that will evolve this weekend.  It’s drawn out and everything - in my mind.

I was going to sew a checkbook cover to match my bag, but we lost power last night!  Big storm.  It was great, but I couldn’t run, or sew, or do a yoga dvd. 

Overall - yesterday was filled with major technical difficulties. Today will be better.

I finished up the outside of the tote bag … great stopping point. Next, the lining and details to finish.

I’ve sewn the handles for the tote bag, and started to prep the main pieces.  Yeah, I wish I had a walking foot now.  The fabric shifts a little bit while I’m basting all the layers together.  I had a little more luck by pinning from the center to the edges - but there is still some shifting.  I’m sure it will be ok though.

And I have an idea for the One Yard Wonder book submission.  I might be able to mock it up in muslin soon.

I finished cutting out the pieces for my Liesl and Co tote bag. I’m using 3 Amy Butler fabrics from the Midwest Modern collection.

This is my first time using a pattern that isn’t one of the major brands (Vogue, Simplicity, etc).  It’s been a great experience so far.  The directions are so clear. Here’s hoping that I get to start sewing tomorrow.