I finished up a new tote that I liked so much I’m keeping it for myself. It’s reversible, so it’s like two totes in one! (Although, I think I’m probably going to be favoring the side shown here a little.) The green fabric is, again, from the Tracy Porter line at JoAnn Fabrics. It is actually the leftover material from my quilt backing (and featured in this blog’s banner). I just love this fabric! The other fabric is a great blue and white diamond pattern with small gold dots on it. I bound the edges of the tote with turquoise bias tape, which was a first for me. I was actually inspired to use the bias tape after reading about it on several other blogs and tutorial sites.
Martha Stewart gives bias tapes instructions and ideas in Bias Toward the Pretty. There’s also a great Bias Tape Tote Tutorial over at Belle Epoque. And, Posie Gets Cozy talks about bias binding in her post, “How I Get My Jollies.” With all this talk and information about bias tape, who was I not to try it?
The bottom of the bag has a little body thanks to some darts. It’s lined with firm decor bond interfacing, so it keeps its shape, but it’s not so firm that it can stand up on it’s own, especially with the curved bottom the darts give it. (I may try another with a more squared-off bottom and see what I like better.) The tote seems to be just the right size for me–roomy without being huge–and although it is lined with a firm interfacing, it’s soft and rests nicely flat at my side.
Because it is a cool reversible tote, and because of the placement of the handle, there’s no closure at the top of this bag. To make up for that, I made up a small (7×4 inches) zippered pouch in matching fabric to hold important items in the tote. It’s got a great, kiwi green zipper, but I think it would look fabulous with a turquoise zipper, too. The pouch has triangular sides with a depth at the bottom of 2 1/2 inches, so it can hold quite a bit of important stuff. If I added a strap, the pouch could probably pass as a small wristlet. And it would definitely make a nice cosmetics bag. Even though the pouch isn’t interfaced, it holds its shape fairly well and can stand up on its own.
Hooray for new totes!
Thanks for all of the great bias tape info!
I love your bags, Shannon! I might have to buy that red one for a friend.
But since when are you allowed to be domestic?
Lovely, lovely! I’m just learning to sew. I took a class and we made tote bags (not nearly as fancy as yours). When the class was done, I made 5 more to perfect my technique! I’ve upgraded to a simple skirt. I’m not sure what’s next!
These fabrics are very well matched.
OK, as I dig around in your site, I realize you may not be the “anodyne” that posts on Teamail, but I’m very glad to have met you nonetheless!
Steph, I think I’m a different Anodyne, since I don’t know what Teamail is. But I’m so glad you’re here, and I’m off to check out your blog. 🙂