Monday, April 16, 2012

Spring tote bag with some frustrations

Yesterday was a really nice day so I thought what better time to spend it than sewing :) I started a tote bag on Saturday night and got stuck. I was trying to use Tilda's Sew Sunny Homestyle beach bag pattern, but I just could not get through the beginning. I had to cut a 35.5"x39.5" piece of fabric and I needed to iron a fusible interfacing on the wrong side. Done. Then the directions said that I had to fold the fabric in double from top to bottom and side to side, right sides together. Now with the side to side folding the fabrics weren't right sides together since the right side of the fabric was in the top to bottom fold and after that all I had was to fold from interfacing to interfacing. I just couldn't pass through the next step which said to cut two 4 inch squares in the two corners on  the bottom through both layers. The problem is that with the folding method I had 4 layers of fabrics. I just could not see how it will work out to do it this way so I sewed up a little sample from a different cheap fabric. I ended up with 2 layers on the front and 2 layers on the back, without the lining. 
I emailed Jean from Quilted Cupcake because I  know She made the same pattern a few months ago and her bag looked really pretty. She said she used the pattern and measurements so I just don't know where I went wrong. If anybody else made this bag and could explain to me how in the world will I get through that 4 folding I would be really happy. Anyway, I cut the width in half and used the single width of the bag and double the height, folded in half. I sewed the bag in a different way which I used before with my zipper pouches and used the turning inside out method. I sewed some pockets in the lining and it turned out really cute. I did not do editing on the pictures since I took them outside and it is a beautiful morning.

Here are the pictures:





I'd like to say thank you to my new followers and to Marcia to arrange the new blogger linky party! I'm linking up this blog post to Sew Can Do's Craftastic Monday and Sew Happy Geek's Manic Monday linky parties!

10 comments:

  1. I love that fabric, and the tote bag is wonderful!!

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  2. Well, the bag turned out beautiful in the end, and I love the fabric you've chosen!

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  3. Very cute bag! I love your fabric choices!

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  4. Not sure how to fix your problem, but the bag looks great! I love those pockets on the inside. They come in so handy!

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  5. The finished product doesn't seem to show any struggles, your bag is gorgeous!

    Bendingpins.com Visiting from Sew Happy Geek.

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  6. The bag looks great! I love the fabric you chose!

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  7. Beautiful bag :-) I have a hard time reading some patterns :( I think my brain is off its rocker ;) You did an awesome job! I love it!

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  8. And the outcome is still one lovely bag!

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  9. Love your bag and the background. I am happy for this Linky party to meet new bloggers.

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  10. You turned a sewing problem into a wonderful bag! My brain almost always has issues with patterns,I love the ones with Lots of photos tho! Sometimes I can figure it out from the photos,when the text instructions boggle my brain :)

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