Measure Twice Zippered Tote

This project was made as part of a Craftsy course:
Stupendous Stitching: Adventures in Surface Design »

Materials

Soft Gray Upholstery Fabric Exterior, Lively Print Fabric with Measuring Tool Theme, Dark Purple Lt. Blue, and Lt. Green Cords for Couching, Accent Print Fabrics in Purple, Orange, and Yeller. Any Yellow that bright is just not Yellow--it's Yeller. Orange Zipper, and Metal Hardware for Zipper Pull. Interior Pocket has specialty ribbon with ruler markings. Way cool. This little tote is 12" high by 10" wide.

What was your inspiration?

Combing layered fabrics, applique, couched cords. I feel fearless after taking the Stupendous Stitching, Adventures in Surface Design taught by Carol Ann Waugh.

I found a theme fabric with measuring tools, and Oh My Goodness, I found darling 1/2" specialty ribbon that looks like a measuring tape. Way Cool. I put the ribbon on the interior pocket. Its always nice to feature something unexpected.

What are you most proud of?

Knowing when to stop embellishing, and get on with construction.

LAYERED FABRIC STRAP:
To make the long cross body strap--I single folded the gray upholstery fabric and zig-zagged down the center to join raw edges. Then I prepared a skinner strip of the theme fabric, stacked it on top of the upholstery fabric strap and stitched it in place to HIDE zig-zag stitches and DECORATE the cross body strap. The stacked fabric adds interest, a little more strength and firmness to the strap. I like the way this works. Hope you'll try it.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

I calibrated the width and length of the satin and couching stitches on a scrap piece of upholstery fabric before moving on to the tote.

Lessons Learned: one of the great things I learned from Stupendous Stitching, Adventures in Surface Design is to skip the Fussy-puttsy-stuff. Now, I try not to over analyze my options and just pick something and go with it. Its liberating, and creative.