Makers Tote Making and Toting

I mentioned last month that I had a copy of the Makers Tote pattern and was planning on diving in and making myself one.  Well, I did it!  And after I made myself a bag, I proceeded to make three more as gifts!

To simplify things, I used the same fabric for the main exterior panels on each.  All bags are the same size (large).  I also used the same lining fabric and the same zippers for each.  The rest of the fabrics were selected to suit the gift recipients; I had so much fun picking and choosing fabrics from my stash!  Anna’s post showing her pattern tester’s versions was very helpful seeing how different fabrics looked on the bag.

From the outset, I knew that the one thing about the pattern I didn’t like the look of was the two parallel stitch lines just below the handles…see it on the pattern front below.

Faith at Fresh Lemon Quilts quilted the exterior panels on her bags, which I thought looked great and covered the look of those lines.  Ultimately, though, I decided that wasn’t the right look for the linen fabric I had chosen.  I decided to dig into my ribbon stash and add ribbon along those lines to conceal them.

Actually, I only had one stitched line because didn’t bind the zipper.  Given the prettiness of my zippers, and how neutral the zips and lining fabrics are, I didn’t think it added much to bind these zippers.  However, I think it look VERY nice on other bags.

I made my own bag first in order to work out any kinks in my understanding of how to make the bag.  I learned NOT to glue baste the ribbon down.  The glue showed through and made the ribbon a little gross.  I think that will wash out.

Rossie’s bag:
Main fabric: Rashida Coleman-Hale, Mochi
Front pocket fabric: Alexia Abegg, Clover
Side panel fabric: Carolyn Friedlander, Botanics
Binding fabric: unknown…I think it’s moda
Handle fabric: Rashida Coleman-Hale, Mochi
Ribbon: Rosa Pomar

Dorie’s bag:
Main fabric: Rashida Coleman-Hale, Mochi
Front pocket fabric: Cotton and Steel, Bluebird
Side panel fabric: Cotton and Steel, Bluebird
Binding fabric: April Rhodes, Bound
Handle fabric: April Rhodes, Bound
Ribbon: Kawasaki

Emily’s bag:
Main fabric: Rashida Coleman-Hale, Mochi
Front pocket fabric: Kim Kight, Homebody
Side panel fabric: Heather Ross, Tiger Lily
Binding fabric: Cotton and Steel, Sprinkle
Handle fabric: Kim Kight, Homebody
Ribbon: Rosa Pomar

Jenna’s bag:
Main fabric: Rashida Coleman-Hale, Mochi
Front pocket fabric: unknown
Side panel fabric: Alison Glass, Sunprint
Binding fabric: unknown
Handle fabric: Hoffman, You + Me
Ribbon: Kawasaki

Overall review of that pattern:

• It’s a great pattern that makes a great bag.
• There were a few steps I had to reread in order to understand what was being asked of me, but all the information was there, clearly presented.
• I had the hardest time sewing the side panels to the main panel; it was doable, I just had to be careful and go slowly.

My modifications:

• left off the snap on the slip pocket
• sewed charm to slip pocket
• didn’t bind the main zipper
• added the ribbons
• affixed the handles a bit higher than the pattern suggests (so as not to sew over the ribbons)
• left the handles flat

I have already started relocating my hand-sewing projects and supplies from the various small bags they had been in, into my Makers Tote.  It’s nice to have everything in one bag, ready to grab and go in the car or to bed or to the couch in front of the television!