tote pattern?

Gardner is getting me a sewing machine next week,
and I wanted to start with tote bags.

I haven't found decent patterns, and the one photo I DID find that's very similar to what I want is this:



my straps will not be that long,
but that is the size I'd like.

if you have any recommendations for sturdy, thick fabrics,
please tell me here.

also keeks,
since you're the one that made that bag,
could you tell me what the bag measurements are and what fabric you used?

any help is appreciated.

corduroy or linen would probably work, or even denim or a strong cotton twill

Even check out upholstery fabric---Grant's aunt bought all the sisters a tote bag, and they were made of some kind of upholstery fabric. Sturdy, I tell ya.

Or try curtain fabric, it's usually pretty sturdy!!

Also, why don't you make the pattern? leave about half an inch for seam allowance around your drawing and you're good to go!

Yep, basically all you need is two big rectangles, then a strip that'll be the length of all three sides, some seam allowance, your straps, and a lining, if you like. As for fabrics, just wander the store, see what you like, obviously don't go for a stretchy material, and if you go with a home dec fabric, cut some extra and zig zag stitch around every side, because it'll most likely fray like mad.

Go on Craftster and see if you like any of the Jordy bag tutorials. (Ignore the fact that the one on the main Jordy tutorial is more purse/handbag looking, it's just cus hers is small). It's 2 rectangles with a square cut out of each of the two bottom corners. You put them good sides together and sew the 2 sides and the bottom, and then you "pinch" the square-cutout corners and sew them. Then you turn it inside out and voila!
Seriously, even if you do want to use a different pattern, try one of the jordy ones out some time.. it's so versatile.

oh yeah, I've seen a tonne of Jordy ones.
and I may use a fabric glue for inside pockets and one on the outside.

I realllly love that plaid, so I may get some like that,
and some fabrics for spring and summer.

I cant wait til the day I can make a hot leather handbag. MM.

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=175550.0

There ya go loverly.

PM me if you have any troubles or questions with your new machine.

Happy sewing!!!

haha, I had a link to that page and lost it!
thanks, Jenna!

er...im not very good with fabrics...what i used was just...fabricy. I used stuff inside it tho, like stiffener. I think it was too stiff to be honest but my teacher liked it.

I'd tell you the measurements but I havent gotten it back yet...I bought a pattern tho which it's based on, but I couldn't use the actual pattern...I could send you it? It might be kind of crumpled but I would if you wanted.

haha, I liked your bag because its the perfect size, rry! you can just tell me the measurements whenever you get it, or just give a rough estimate, if possible.

pretty pretty shiny shiny =D

I had to buy it to overlay it on another dark fabric. the other side is silver. its so awesome, ya'll.

Would you buy a tote with that kind of fabric?

I would TOTALLY buy a tote with that fabric! I want one! LOL! Trade ya for some faery wings....

n.n

its so awesome. I bought dark, plummy fabric to lay it over, so the skulls would really POP. hell, I got pics of the fabric...I may have deleted them though...grr ;-;

oooh

thatd look so pretty as a bow

and hell yeah id buy a tote

Ohh I like it!
I would buy a tote with that fabric, but in my head I see it with it pleated/gathered thenn layed over the other one.. *goes off into sewing daydreams*

PolyphonicThought wrote:

pretty pretty shiny shiny =D

I had to buy it to overlay it on another dark fabric. the other side is silver. its so awesome, ya'll.

Would you buy a tote with that kind of fabric?

Oh jeez.....

Puffy, I have that fabric. Four yards to be exact.

Be VERY VERY VERY careful!! When it's stretched even a tiny tad, the skulls crack and get all warped.

Since you're going to be using it for a tote and totes usually have a pretty good amount of weight to bear, you should use some lightweight fusible interfacing on it.

Even though it'll only be the overlay to another stonger fabric, there's still the chance that it might stretch a bit.

Good luck love.

oh yeah I KNOW. I didnt want to stretch it at all. *fear*
I've been meaning to get some interfacing, so this is the perfect chance to get everything I need for my next shopping trip.

thinking of that, I forgot to tell you peeps that I got the machine!
and I must say,

I fuckin hate bobbins. -.-

Yay!

What kind of machine did you get?

a brother LS-2125. havent used it yet! was gonna work on the bobbin, and I passed out cold on the bed. I just woke up an hour ago! ;-;

how is the bobbin giving you trouble?

is it winding it, installing it?

Oh and hooray on your machine! It's really similar to the one I have.

ahh yes, so far. luckily lisbeth even made a diagram so I could get the bobbin in. Im hoping that with time I'll be able to get the routine down, haha.

You probably will be able to Puff, it' all practice. My mum was a dressmaker and it got to the point where the bobbin would run out or she'd have to change thread and she can do it in like, 15 seconds now and just sort it out! it's nuts! I can't sew for toffee though

I also hate bobbins because I only have three so sometimes I have to take all the thread off to use a new colour..

finally finished it!

I wanted to make a completely no sew tote - only one bit is sewn, the rest isnt! :]