I Survived the Sewing Circle Tote

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my new Sewing Circle Tote...  now that it's done!

The 28 page pattern by Elizabeth Hartman is meticulously written and well illustrated.  There was never a point where I was unclear what to do next but as my friend Aimee famously said "There are two kinds of sewers - those who can follow a pattern and those who just want to blow their brains out..."  I'm definitely the latter:-)

If you've been following my progress on Facebook and Instagram you know I skipped around a bit on the directions, mostly because I didn't have all of my fabrics picked out in advance.

Steps 13 - 34  I started by making the Patchwork Pockets which is definitely the highlight of the project.  I used the Melody Miller telephones as my inspiration and pulled scraps from my stash from there.  I was on a roll and just kept going... oops, need those straps now.  Go back to Step 1.

Steps 1 - 8  Making the straps isn't hard but if I did it again I'd cut my fabric at 4 1/2" to give the cotton webbing a little more breathing room.  Advance to Step 35 and realize the directions said make 2 straps 60" long, NOT make a strap 60" long and cut it in 2.  Make a trip to Quilter's Way for more fabric and repeat Steps 1 - 8.

Steps 35 - 41  Decide to add piping to the side panels ala the Amy Butler Weekender bag.  Bag is coming together and now needs the bottom I skipped making.

Steps 9 - 12  My bag just made it to 2nd base.  Quilting through Peltex is insane and it's really hard to move this under the machine.  Either my arms are too short or I have to sit next to my machine to get everything through.

Steps 42 - 45  Attaching the bottom to the bag is even worse than quilting it.  There is much cursing going on but it's finally done.

Steps 46 - 67  I'm losing my ability to follow a pattern, all those zip pockets are unnecessary.  I'm only making the big one.

Steps 68 - 76  The gathered pockets look cool but I'm only doing the big one and the two sides.  I decide I'd rather have a slip pocket on the other side for folders.  Go off pattern using Elizabeth's technique from the Perfect Quilted Tote.  Realize this requires math.  More cursing but the interior pockets are finally done.

Steps 77 - 80  Seems easy after putting together the exterior.  I might actually get this thing finished:-)

Step 82  Sew through my thumb while using the zipper foot to attach the interior and exterior bottoms.  Cursing, tears, and a delay while I remove the bloodstains from the handles.  A smart person would have stopped here.

Steps 83 - 87  Easy peasy, just keep your bloody thumb away from the straps.

Steps 88 - 89  The second hardest part of making this bag!  Sewing the facing through all those layers while trying to maneuver the bag was insane.  Run out of thread and have to wait until morning for another trip to Quilter's Way.  Using contrasting thread was probably a mistake.

Step 90 ENJOY YOUR FINISHED TOTE!  Thanks, Elizabeth;-)

Mods in case I make this again:

• Rework the bottom.  I'd leave the exterior bottom as plain fabric/duck.  Quilt the interior bottom with batting and duck.  Add the 3 layers of Peltex as a slip in between the layers or make a false bottom.  
• There shouldn't be a lot of stress on the top facing.  Try just using a double sided fusible to keep it in place or possibly handstitch the folded edge to the bag.
• Still a lot of pockets, Simplify and lose a couple more of the interior pockets.
• I'd probably skip the short handles also.  

So excited to be linking up with Finish it Up Friday!!!  Welcome back, Crazy Mom Quilts...  we missed you:-)

Also starting a new tradition with Sewjo Saturday at My Go-Go Life.