Super Tote!

Have you experienced the Super Tote by Noodlehead yet? I am in love with this pattern! It's huge and functional! I made mine over the Christmas break and so mad that I didn't try it out sooner. Guess I was still in love with my Market Tote.
SuperTote
I decided to use a fabric I thought my girls would get a kick out of but still fun and grown-up for me. It's Elephant Circus by Kokka in the pink colorway. I originally bought it to use in a baby quilt for a friend but decided on a different elephant fabric (more of that next week). The alphabet print came from my Japanese bundle that I received a few months ago from Alyce at Blossom Heart Quilts. Oh, and of course my staple linen, black essex!
SuperTote
I think the hardest part was figuring out what interfacing I wanted to use where. Seriously! Even though I have a bit of experience with interfacing, I still always struggle with when and where for each bag I make. I am happy with what I decided and will share with you below.
SuperTote
I used Annie's Soft and Sable for the front and back panels and fusible fleece for the side panels. I wanted the bag to somewhat stand up on its own but not so stiff it looked like a box. I figured the fusible fleece would let the bag collapse just enough and the Soft and Sable panels would allow it to still look like a bag and not pile of Japanese fabrics on the floor. That was truly my whole thought process while deciding on the interfacing..lol. I also used SF101 like the pattern suggest for all the inside linings.
SuperTote
I went with a magnetic closure because I actually never zip up my purse. I am in and out of it so much, that it would likely just get in the way. I figured the magnetic claps has the chance to get closed even if it's inadvertently...haha. Oh, and did you notice my handy dandy sling? A purse to most moms is useless when they have to hold hands with one child and hold the other child UNLESS it has a sling strap. It's a must have for any bag I use.
It was fairly simple to add during the construction. I just took two, three inch strips of pink webbing and added the hardware. Folded in half and basted it in place before I attached the lining. I had a spare strap from an old bag that I used instead of making one; although, making one would have been pretty easy. I know my JoAnns has lots of different types of webbing including the pink one that I attached to the bag. I just wish they sold more hardware!
One thing I took extra care in was ensuring the two pleats on the side stayed together. I lowered my stitch length to 1.0 about one inch before the end and tightened the tension a bit as well. I went over it about five times like that. I think it should hold...haha! I also used an 18 jean needle and black jean thread for the top stitching around the top to make sure I got through all those layers, especially the webbing, without skipping or breaking the thread.
I for sure plan on making this bag for sure and very happy with the interfacing I used. Next time, I might make the panels quilted to add more texture.
Hope you are having a great start to the week! Planning on liking up with all my favorite link parties to the right, TGIFF, and Crazy Mom Quilts! Oh, and I might have something exciting happening here on Friday!!!
Melissa



Comments

  1. Sooo cute!! I love those elephants and that text print?? OH MY to die for!! Love how you coordinated it all!

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    1. Thank you soooo much! I really love it! Thanks for visiting!!

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  2. Sooo cute!! I love those elephants and that text print?? OH MY to die for!! Love how you coordinated it all!

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  3. Really cute tote! I love the elephant fabric!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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    1. Thanks so much, Tonna!!! Thanks for visiting and commenting :) hope you have a great rest of the week!

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  4. Awesome bag! The elephants are soooo cute! :-)

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    1. Thanks so much!!! I love these little elephants but they are so dang expensive. So I'll admire my FQ on my purse. Lol. Thanks for visiting, Izzy!!

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  5. too cute! I am in love with that elephant print!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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    1. Thanks Kelly! They have them in green too! But a bit pricey since it's kokka. Thanks for visiting and hope to link it up this week!

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    2. Thanks so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!

      :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  6. too cute. Loving everything on your blog Melissa :-)

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    1. Thanks Deborah! And good luck on your new blogging adventure....hang on tight! Lol

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  7. a great tote and interesting reading about you making of it, too complicated for me to attempt but maybe one day

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    1. Thanks Margaret! I hope I didn't scare you off... It's really not too hard to make. Hope you give it a try one day! Have a great rest of the week!

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    1. Thanks Fran!!! I'm really enjoying carrying it right now! Have a good one and thanks for visiting!

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  9. That is the cutest tote ever!! I love your fabric mix, love that shoulder strap, and really want to try to incorporate a magnet closure someday! Looking forward to Friday!

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  10. Fabulous bag Melissa....love the fabrics. I am tempted to give it a go too!! Thanks for sharing.

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  11. I love your bag! Great fabric choices! I'm also a cross-body purse/bag wearer so I appreciate your modification. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!

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  12. I did a diaper bag recently and didn't use enough interfacing so it doesn't stand on its own as well as i would have liked it to,but eh what are you gonna do?! Better luck next time I guess. So all this to say I feel ya! I adore the fabrics you chose for the inside of the bag and the magnetic closures are truly worth it!

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  13. Awesome! I love the style of the bag. I love a sling and also never zip my purse. You always pick such great fabrics for your bags, even the linings are super cute. Loving that alphabet fabric:)

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  14. I am new to sewing and quilting. When I was searching for blogs to follow, your caught my eye. One thing was your blog title. I have become a fabric crazy girl! Another was you are from Texas. I lived there for many years and have part of my heart still there. Do you have any idea how to get coupon codes when ordering online? Thanks!

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  15. Just love this. Makes me want to go shopping and but all this fabric. It's such a fun bag and all the details are nice. I can't do that. I wish I could sew bags. I tried once. LOL Happy Quiting. (PS: I love Texas)

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  16. Hey, I have dug around in this purse for you....it is super cute and you did an amazing job choosing the fabrics! So glad we met at Quilt Bliss.

    Tami

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  17. Tote bags are defined as huge bags used to carry anything from clothes, to books to everyday needful things. More and more women in fact, use tote bags more than purses as they are roomier. travel bags

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