Saturday, July 14, 2012

Travel Tote Bag

After getting all that lovely fabric from hubby a few days ago I kind of got distracted from my UFO's and started thinking about making a bag. I'm going away tomorrow for a few days to visit my daughter so I needed a bag that was roomy enough to put my camera and all the other things that us ladies carry with us.
So on Thursday rather than waste time searching for the perfect bag for me I decided to make up a pattern for a bag that suited my needs. Large with lots of pockets a zipper closure and plain. There was no plan I just quickly took some measurements and started cutting away and this is what I came up with.

This is the front which has four pockets. The button closure is just decorative. The handles base and button closure I used Pleather and I even had some leather buttons.


The back has two large pockets and again a decorative button closure. My Travel Tote measures 14.5" High x 17" Wide x 5" Deep. The outer fabric is like a canvas type upholstery fabric.


The lining is home deco fabric. Sorry my description of fabrics is pretty poor. LOLL
This is the inside. As you can see I didn't put any pockets in for two reasons. Lack of time and also I won't be using them.


The zipper closure was a must, I don't want all my personals falling out LOLL and although I don't always like putting zippers in this method is really easy. Anyone can do it.


The pleather button closure gave me some grief. The top stitching kept missing some stitches so had to sew it by hand which wasn't easy. I had to use pliers to pull the needle through each time so it's not as tidy as I would want it to be.


I even managed to take photos of every step of making it but towards the end gave up because it was so time consuming that I was afraid I wouldn't get it finished on time. Now it's made there are a few small changes I'd make on the next one so hopefully I'll make another one and do a tutorial for the tote bag at some point. It takes longer to take photos and write it up than it does to actually make. LOLLL

Oh I nearly forgot to mention that dear hubby even made dinner yesterday in order to give me more sewing time. Well actually I don't think that was his intention LOLLLLL but I'd like to think it was.
Just look at what he made. His version of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Yummmmmm


He was going to do the potatoes fried in the same coating as the chicken but decided to keep it HEALTHIER and just boil them.


There was even tomato and feta cheese salad and marinated olives. Gosh I wish he'd cook every day.


Don't look at the mismatched plates. LOLLLLL Ok I'm off to clean the bombsite of a house now. It's been neglected for days and the ironing is sky high.

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Maria ~

7 comments:

  1. I like so much your new bag!! I love the model!

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  2. Maria, your new tote is beautiful, I love it. I like the materials you used, the size is perfect and all the pockets you've added will allow you to carry everything you want. You did a beautiful job!

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  3. Beautiful bag Maria. Looks great and is so functional too. Wow that pleather does look hard to sew through, especially by hand, ouch! Have a fun visit seeing your daughter.

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  4. Wonderful bag, Maria! It has everything you need. Fun blog :)

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  5. such a beautiful bag maria, i really like the classy look of it. What method do you use for the zipper? I struggle with zippers often.

    Food looks delicious!

    Heather

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  6. Great bag - and great supper! I particularly like your zipper installation and that feta salad, LOL!

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  7. What a lovely bag - it is really elegant and smart! I hope you have a fabulous time with your daughter.

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Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Your comments mean so much to me and inspire me to create.
~Maria~