A New Tote Bag

My Summer Go Bag!

Good Morning Sewists. As one day rolls into the next, I lament my lack of sewing time more and more. I did manage to finish this little tote in one day, believe it or not, but never got around to taking the pictures. Story of my life!

What is a "Go Bag?" In my context it is a small tote bag that stays in my car or comes with me on day trips holding essentials that I do not want in my purse. I like to keep wet wipe type of cleaning tissues, dry tissues, a trash bag, water, diabetic supplies for husband and a couple magazines to read while in waiting rooms etc. Not a big deal.....unless I forget it! Occasionally I will add some nutrition bars and Riccola drops for allergy season. 

While some purists pooh-pooh machine embroidery, there is most certainly a place for it in my life. I enjoy the process, the finished product and the time required. I still like to do my hand-stitching but projects like these are well worth the time to me. This took about an hour to embroider and about 10 minutes to line and sew up the side seams...already finished with a serger overlock stitch.

Ta-Da!


Normally I would stitch up the tote bag myself from any one of a collection of denims in the stash but this one was purchased pre-made, except for the side seams, as a gift from a dear stitching friend. 

screen shot of the embroidery pattern. I did change a few colors to something close to what was selected, I didn't have all these colors. I see little difference in the finished product. As you can see some of the colors stitch out in one or two minutes, this is only the first page. Lots of thread changes here.

The pattern is a Kimberbell embroidery and the bag is a "blank" purchased for the purpose of making this particular bag.

The first wheel is stitched. I hooped the bag on a "sticky" lightweight stabilizer and framed into a 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch hoop.

I chose to line the bag with a cotton/poly check fabric from the stash, originally from the stash of husband's grandmother from the 1960's. 

moving right along........

I left the stabilizer applied before embroidery on the bag fabric to give it some weight. This particular denim is a bit wimpy. Thus, a lining was essential.   

• We actually have some sunshine in our area today. It has mostly been rain for two weeks now. My garden is growing but nothing much is in blossom.

• These two beds are near the back patio and hopefully the woodland critters will be intimidated by the furniture there! Wishful thinking.
• Wow, this has been a tumultuous week.  On the sidelines as friends and family squabble, trying to understand, trying to remain neutral and respect each opinion. They go on, I am sad. Sometimes you just have to walk away.
• on a happier note, I found this little idea some time ago and it was lost in the 400+ files in the blog archives. I plan to try this with one of the many Christmas panels I have in the stash. Looks like fun, doesn't it? Just click on this link......Lets cut up a panel and make a quilt!