Art Student Tote

When I saw the pattern review of the Art Student Tote on Sew Sweetness' Purse Palooza, I finally found the pattern I had been searching for.  I had been on the lookout for a pattern that would be suitable as a diaper bag for my cousin, and this looked to fit the bill without looking too "diaper bag-ish."  I love how it came out.  But it is HUGE. I will definitely hold anything a baby could ever need while out and about.  But big bags are so IN!

Now for my modifications:

-I shortened up the straps by about 8 inches total.
-I added a 6-inch top-zip panel, similar to the extension panel in the pattern view B but much smaller.
-I added a removable, adjustable cross-body strap, since it's really frustrating to have a bag keep falling off your shoulder while carrying a baby.
-I used fusible fleece rather than interfacing on the outer panels.
-I used Decor Bond on the inside pockets since they will be getting a ton of use.

Fabrics from Hello Pilgrim by Lizzy House

D-ring adjustable side strap detail

Top zip panel will tuck down inside when unzipped if needed.

Hanging by the cross-body strap

Awesome zipper detail on the outside pockets

I just love these prints!

Thanks to a reader's comment, I realized that I didn't include any photos of the inside.  It is a bit tough to photograph because it's so big, but here's a peek.  There are 8 pockets inside, large enough to hold a travel baby wipes container, diapers, bottles, etc.  They are interfaced with Decor Bond to make them extra sturdy.

Zakka Potholders and Summer To-Dos

A day late and a giveaway entry short, I managed to complete one Zakka Style potholder.  I would have been done on time, despite spending much of the week camping, had my old iron not given out.  Amazingly enough, I managed to find a Rowenta in my local small-town hardware store.  I have 5 more of these potholders in progress.  I love the stripy design and the pockets on the back for gripping hot pots and pans.  I think they will be the beginning of my holiday gift stash.

I have to put the rest of my summer to-do list in print so I don't forget anything!  It is quite full!

- Make two of Anna Maria Horner's Art Student Totes into diaper bags.  In time for the Purse Palooza deadline.  Yikes.

-Finish my New York Beauty quilt from the quilt-along awhile back.

-Restock my Etsy shop.  It has gotten quite empty.

-Begin stashing finished products for the local holiday fair in November.

-Work on hexagons for a quilt for my daughter.  I got a great start while waiting for the kids at swim lessons today.  Six hexagons in 45 minutes.  With a total of 900 minutes of swim lesson time ahead of me (!!!) I could potentially get 120 finished. Hmmm.

-Figure out what to upcycle a whole stack of my hubby's old Coast Guard uniforms into.  Any ideas?

Purse Palooza Entry #1: Chevron Pleated tote

Sew Sweetness is running a purse-making contest this month called Purse Palooza.  I plan on having a few entries.  Here is my first!  It's a pleated tote based on this pattern at U-Handbag.  I followed the basic pattern but made my tote slightly narrower (because that's all I had enough fabric for!).  I also added two inside slip pockets and a magnetic snap. The straps were also my own design and attach with nickel D-rings.  It is super roomy and very stylish!  The pleats let the red peek out just enough to not be overpowering, and the whole effect is very summery.

The dimensions are:
13" tall
10" wide at top
16" wide at bottom
3.5" deep at bottom
9" strap drop
Made with home-decor weight fabric and a cotton lining.  Fully interfaced with Decor Bond.

I think this will eventually end up in my Etsy shop, unless someone claims it here or on Facebook first!