My Mom's birthday was this month, and I decided after she came to visit in April that I was going to make her a Maker’s Tote using Anna Graham's pattern. I really enjoyed making my Sheep Maker's Tote, and I thought it would be the easiest bag for her to keep her knitting in on the couch. It will protect projects from the kitties, but is very easy to access the inside.
For this tote I used this pretty Japanese fine wale corduroy from Miss Matatabi that I bought in their black Friday sale last year. It was fun to work with and has a great color palette. I had leftover binding from my first tote, so I used the same black yarn-dyed Essex cotton/linen for the binding and handles.
I knew I had to use a bit of blue to really make the blue in the main print pop! I had a bit of this blue shot cotton that I made a Wiksten tank out of (see it here), that was a perfect match! It was nice to use up a really old scrap.
I made the same two modifications to this tote as my first one. I used a non-separating metal zipper. I used a 16” zipper instead of a 14” zipper to compensate, then I covered the end with a tab. I also left off the flap pocket again. This is the small size tote.
I buy all my zippers from Zipit.
For the inside, I used the same lining as mine. I still had plenty of scraps and it matched the main print! It's Widescreen by Carolyn Friedlander in Yarrow. I also used this cute little anchor print that I bought with my Mom at one of my favorite fabric stores back in Ohio, Miller's Dry Goods.
I was a little more rushed working on this bag since it needed to be done before I went home to Ohio. My zippered pocket opening ended up being a little messy. I also used the Fusible Flex Foam by Pellon for this bag instead of the non-fusible Annie's Soft and Stable. I thought I would really like the fusible, but I actually prefer the Annie's.
These are such satisfying bags to make! I love the details and I don't even mind the hand sewing. It just makes such a nice bag, that's very functional. I have a feeling this isn't my last Maker's Tote!
Happy Sewing!
Love this tote! Now that I've seen two, I HAD to buy the pattern. Hope I can make one as cute as yours :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so fun to make, and looks good in lots of different fabrics! :)
DeleteBeautiful tote for your mom! I've had my eye on this pattern and I think I will be making one, too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yay, it's a fun one!
DeleteBeautiful bag! I just made the large version and it was pretty fun to make plus is such a functional bag. I'd really like to hear more on your thoughts on the Fusible Flex Foam vs. the Soft and Stable. I've always used S&S, like the idea of the fusible, but sometimes they crinkle the fabric and I don't like that....curious if you experienced that.
ReplyDeleteYeah I had the crinkle issue with the fusible. I think having it fused actually made the zipper opening a bit harder too!
DeleteMiller's Dry Goods! I bought fabric for one of my all-time favorite quilts there, back in the early 2000s. I live in North Carolina now, so no more trips there for me, but I have fond memories! Glad to see they are still open and doing well!
ReplyDeleteThey are! I try to make sure and visit whenever I'm home!
DeleteI love these. I really want to make one but I'm just not brave enough yet!
ReplyDeleteCorduroy--what a great idea for a bag! Lucky Mom!
ReplyDeleteJeni, this bag is fantastic. I love the classy color fabric choices.
ReplyDeleteIt looks neat as a pin
I started my Maker's Tote last week and am using the Pellon Flex Foam that is fusible on one side. I had a little trouble with the opening for the zipper pocket. I ended up using a glue stick to make the pocket lining stay folded back to the wrong side and hand-basted the zipper into the opening. It isn't perfect, but I'm okay with it. I'm using the same sheep print that you used, but I found it in the mint color instead of gold.
ReplyDeleteLovely! I am heading up to Stitch in August to participate in the Noodlehead retreat and we are making one of these and the Campfire Messenger bag. I can't wait!
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