07 July 2007

To Tote or Not To Tote

Here's my completed tote. I used the pleated tote pattern from Artsy Crafty Babe. I really like the design on the bag but it's a little too big for me. When I make it again I will alter the pattern and make it smaller. The good thing about this particular bag is that it's the perfect size to carry my crochet around in. It's always hanging around the house being a nuisance. Now I have something to put it in. I added another pocket with pen and pencil holders (or crochet hook holders, I guess) and instead of making matching fabric handles I made handle holders and Ella picked out these perfect bamboo handles (40% off coupon!!) to go with the bag. Del says it's a real purse now but I disagree, it's a bag. Today I am going to scrutinize it more and I will probably take it apart and redo the pleats as they sort of came apart during the sewing process and I will also reposition the handle tabs so they don't pull apart like they do now. Something else that gets me is I've noticed that when I make something for the girls I pick from the fabrics that I have purchased; but when I make something for myself I pick from the fabrics that Marie sent me a few months ago. Isn't that funny. I've noticed that my stash is much more young looking than most of these other crafty bloggers (not that it really matters). They seem to make more things for themselves or friends whereas I am constantly making things for three, now four daughters.

7 comments:

M said...

You know I have noticed that too. Seems like everything I make it tends not to be for me. Even if I buy a pattern and have every intention of making it, it just never seems to happen.

Anyways, I like your bag. You definately got to it faster than I did, still haven't even washed the material... Hey, now sounds like a good time to do that though. Gotta go!

Johanna said...

Okay, you are making the rest of us look really bad. I too, haven't started mine yet. And I can't yet either because of two things. First, I can hardly get into my sewing room! And second, I have an embroidery order I have to finish before I can do anything else fun for me. But...I am going to start searching for the floor in my sewing room right now and once I find it :) I'll be able to do my embroidery order. Maybe I should keep on top of things so that my sewing room doesn't get so out of order again... :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh!!! I hve that same fabric covering my coffee table and always wanted to make a bag out of it! That looks great!!!

Anonymous said...

oh...by the way anonymous is .... marie's brothers girlfriend. I read your blogall the time and i'm jealous of all the great projects you all do!

Joanna said...

i'm glad you like it. i did redo the top of the bag. now the pleats are sharp. the handles still pull but i can't really do anything about that because the handles should be at the tips of the pleats and if i put them out any further it's going to look dumb. all in all i'm happy with it.

what are you guys doing? i've got less than a month left but am exhausted and i want to sleep all the time. i blame that on my visit to the hospital; those people don't let you sleep at all. that was two night of them waking me up every two hours for vitals and stuff like that. i'm still not done with the crocheted blanket or the lesson plans.

tomorrow i will officially be 36 weeks. in one week sarah was born. makes me jealous but i really think even 37 weeks is too early.

anyway, i'm tired of looking at my bag on the blog. you guys aren't even pregnant! AND you have fewer kids than i do! get with the program, eh? ;)

Anonymous said...

Your kids are angels.... ours are... well.... not.

Joanna said...

pretty as angels? yes. behave like angels? aaahhhhh, er...not quite all the time, to say the least. speaking of, i think the house needs to be picked up of toys by said angels before their daddy gets home from work. enough slacking.