Another Groovy Tote

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Difficulty:

Category: Sewing

Type of item: Accessory

For: Women

Style: Funky, Casual, Mod

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Materials

Black batik with lime green peace sign fabric for the exterior. Additional colorful batiks for the interior lining, and pockets. A metal lobster clasp for a key fob. Strips of the batiks to make the Zig-Zag paper-pieced pattern (big pocket for the front of the tote).

What was your inspiration?

Peggy Martin is my hero. In her online Craftsy course Quick Paper Piecing, I learned her simple rules and quick construction techniques. This is my first experience with paper piecing blocks, and let me tell ya--it was so much fun.

I am so grateful to have steps repeated many times. It really helps to have information feed by spoonfuls . . . makes the learning process effortless and thorough.

I look forward to exporing more quick paper piecing blocks to electrofy my purse and totes. I can definitely see making lots of table runners and pillow shams too!

What are you most proud of?

Quick Paper Piecing is a great way to use up large scraps of fabric. (I'm smiling)--Yes, I really can do something economical to whittle down my scraps stash.

I chose to make Peggy Martin's Zig-Zag paper-pieced block first. The Zig-Zag became the center-piece for the big pocket on the front of the tote.

I am most proud to offer two pockets in the interior of my Groovy Tote. There is a shallow pocket for a cell phone, and one pocket that is deeper. To find the shallow pocket, reach inside the bag and "feel" for the button marking the smaller pocket.

I photographed the interior of the bag by turning it inside out, so you could see the pockets. What a big surprise! I discovered the tote looks handsome turned inside out--and I can use this bag as a REVERSIBLE tote. Too cool, eh? Getting two distinct looking bags for the price of one!

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Wow, this was an awesome, confidence building class.

Sign up for Peggy's Quick Paper Piecing course. You'll love experimenting with the variety of blocks and sewing them perfectly from the start.

My thanks to Peggy for having the honesty to show us how to FIX little mistakes that can happen along the way.