A Custom Yoga Tote with Zipper AND a Prize

Despite my previous promises, I'm forced to highlight another yoga tote. Turn away, or endure it, because there's a prize at the end. This one is different than any I've sewn before. It is a custom order for a very cool scooter driver from California. Her concern was her mat might fall out of my traditional tote when she is riding her scooter to yoga class. I'd say a zipper will fix that. So, I put an enormous brass zipper along the length of the design and added a top -- it looks a little like a duffel bag, now. Duck cloth inside makes it sturdy, Amy Butler on the outside makes it loud.


Anyway, let's get to the prizes. Wait, first... thanks to all of you who stopped on by. I have to say, my favorite comment was from a high school peer who actually called herself a purse whore. Awesome. But, sadly, grand prize is awarded by random using a random name chooser thingee -- also known as a box full of names and my youngest's hand reaching in and landing on one. Either way we have a winner.

Laurel! You win. Send me -- via e-mail -- your most recent address.

And Heather, in honor of your awesomeness in the form of a sweet comment, send me your address and I'll send you a prize, too.

PS -- I have recently read and leafed through about a million craft and sewing books. So, stop by again for my reviews of them.

Over the Shoulder: My Take on a Market Bag

I am a sucker for the craft magazines at most fabric stores. Recently I fell head over heels for a Better Homes and Gardens "Bags, Pillows & Pincushions issues. All the projects are insanely easy and I have to say I've enjoyed one in particular -- the market bag. There were a few things I had to change, of course. But the basic directions were easy to sew and made a tote that is roomy enough for a day out with the kids. It's also a great stash basher and I feel I could modify it to use more of these scraps. This time around, however, I used scraps from this project.


If you can come up with 24, 5" squares and a little bit of fabric for the sides, handles, and inside... you should do it, too. If you do it, take my advice... make some of the following changes:

1. Don't pleat the lining. The pattern calls for the lining to have a pleat (just as is done on the outside). This makes for a very bulky lump in the middle of the bag. So, when you cut your lining, just eyeball a top that is 1 1/2" narrower than the original (that's 3/4" on each side). You'll be much happier.

2. Try using twill tape in the handles for support (rather than batting). I can already tell these will be a little stretchy for heavy loads. Looks nice all quilted, but I think I like non-stretchy, sturdy innards for my handles. (And yes, I'm the type of gal that uses innards in conversation.)

3. To stiffen the pleats and ensure they will stay where you want them, go ahead and stitch them in place. I did this by stitching where it was folded (on the inside) and hidden inside the pleat. I only stitched about 2 inches down from the top, but it did help keep the pleat crisp. You could further this technique/look by stitching down the pleat with a nice contrasting thread and making it much the same way you would a kick pleat in a skirt -- which for the record I have never done.

4. Lastly, add pockets to your interior before sewing it in. The pattern doesn't call for any. But every good tote needs a pocket, even if it is a simple patch pocket.

If you do decide to make this bag, I have a few 5" squares I'd be happy to donate to the cause, just let me know -- Via comment -- and I'll ship them off. Of course, you have to promise to send pictures of your finished tote.
PS -- When I showed this to my husband he said, "Oh, very nice. Is it a Halloween purse?" Men!

Meghan Said: ... Grandma's Legs...

This was a previous comment on the post with the pictures of the Grandkid quilt.

I love the golf tan on Grandma's legs

I laughed my bloomin' arse off when I read this because the legs in the photo are my husband's. Either his mother has really hairy legs, or he's got great gams.

oh
my
heck