Win-win!!
The three of us gathered at Britt's house (since the longarm quilting machine has crowded out group events) where we began by narrowing down our fabric selections and doing the necessary prep work for creating our new Trail Totes. (A tricky pattern by
Anna Graham of Noodlehead, available for FREE on the Robert Kaufman website.)
We came to sew:
There was cutting and pressing involved:
After HOURS of cutting, pressing, and sewing... A new bag:
And a second BEAUTIFUL bag:
With a surprisingly snappy lining, thanks to Britt's stash:
THIS photo shows the FUN lining that Helena chose for her bag, the magnetic snap closure, and the patch pocket that she expanded to include a pen pocket:
HERE is the subtle circle print that Joy chose for her zippered pocket...
... And the adorable spotty, dotty fabric for the interior patch pockets (TWO of them!) that came from Britt's stash:
Speaking of Britt...
She was so busy helping us (and searching her stash for additional fabrics for our bags) that she didn't finish her own bag:
Just LOOK at those AMAZING bags:
Look up:
Smile:
That's a keeper:
And thank you, Britt!! Thanks for opening you home, sharing your knowledge of this easily adaptable pattern, and going out to pick up lunch (while we continued to slog through the bag-making process.
Easily adaptable???
Joy's bag is a little sturdier thanks to her use of DecorBond interfacing by Pellon. Helena's is a little bigger thanks to that half-inch that she added. Britt's first bag is a bit slouchy thanks to some mystery interfacing found in her fabric/notions stash.
We each have plans for our NEXT Trail Tote!! It's not so terribly tricky, if you take it one step at a time. Think of the design possibilities! The next one I make will have another exterior pocket because there is always MORE stuff to store. :o))
Until next time...
Explore a new-to-you pattern with a friend!!!
What a fun and productive way to spend a day! Can't have too many pockets, especially for those small things that always fall to the bottom.
ReplyDeleteOh! no! Joy, I think your post is contaminated because now I got a bug to sew some bags too. lol. Great bags, love the friendship that obviously exists between you girls. Enjoy! ;^)
ReplyDeleteI love the write-up and especially love the bags you two made! What a very fun day spent together. Xo
ReplyDeleteI had a great time! I was having such a good time that I didn't realize that Joy was snapping pics throughout the day. It's fun to see our day chronicled. I can't wait to make another bag!
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, big thanks to B for opening her house, heart and fabric stash to us! XOXO