Make mine a small one!

Early posting for me today.  I didn't want to leave you in suspenders, as the kids and I are off to meet up with Emily and Nicky shortly, and I really want to show you my promised late-night make.

Quick background.  Holidays mean making new things, just because.  Having big bags, clutch bags and small purses already, I felt I was lacking a simple small cross body bag for out-and-about essentials.

OK, this is not strictly true; I have my beloved Sidekick Tote, I use it all the time but it isn't new, and I really wanted a new one!

I looked through all the patterns I had stashed away, but they were mostly too complicated for what I wanted, or required hardware I didn't have on hand.  I googled, I really was prepared to be completely inspired, but then... lightbulb!

I printed out my Noodlehead Super Tote pattern at 50%!!!

Grabbed those gorgeous HR Strawberries, fresh through the door, some natural Essex Linen and pink Kei dots, then at about 7pm, got making!

Not the best pictures in the world, but the grass was wet, and the assistants were not in an assisting mood!

Cross body strap, rather than two handles; no internal pockets, some piping to break up the plain back along the seam that would have housed the handles; a concealed magnetic snap in the front pocket and Bob, as they say, is your uncle.  I stitched up the gap in the lining just before 11pm.

I love all Anna's patterns, I made a 50% 241 Tote for Cindy, and knew, (well hoped), it would turn out great!

I used Aurifil 50wt in 2021 as always, and my walking foot to piece the whole thing, including the zip.  Popped on a Jeans needle for the final top stitching that incorporated the strap ends as there must have been at least 10 layers of fabric plus fusible fleece at those points; and it sewed through like a dream.

I rarely need to finish anything so urgently that I keep going after about 9pm; most things can just wait.  As you know I am not one to leave stuff until the last minute either, BUT I wanted to see it completed so badly; dear husband had to be woken up for the Ta dah! moment too.

So there you go, my super mini-Super Tote.  Sorry for making you wait, but I hope I will be forgiven xxx

Super Smashing Tote!

Well I promised you a Sunday reveal, and I am now just about caught up with school uniforms and camp washing, (really quite relieved about the lack of mud), and trying to postpone that 'oh no, back to work tomorrow' feeling for as long as possible!

So here we have it...

I am going to claim this as my first Super Tote, as I love it so much, I really would like a version of this bag for all occasions and outfits!

The pattern is exactly what I have felt about all of Anna-Noodlehead's; very simple to follow, very preparation-intensive - but you know it will be worth it, open to a few personal tweaks if you are that way inclined, and turns out so well that you get a thrill from knowing that you made it.

With the exception of the long zipper, I made it from stash, and I am really quite pleased about that too.

Modifications?  I added an extra pocket inside the front outer one, because I had a perfect scrap of Echino, which I was determined to incorporate; it will also be useful for separating my phone or train tickets or other essentials from the rest of the gubbins I haul about.  I took the fully-lined outer pocket option, rather than just adding a facing.

I didn't stitch divided sections within the inside elasticated pockets, simply stitched a button in the middle and through the lining on each side, so that the pockets were maximum size but not gaping, as I feared they would be without anything.

I did a proper double-row of stitching to gather the bottom edge of the inside pockets too, for a nice even finish on those; I am getting so fancy in my old age.

My lining is a heavier weight aqua cotton canvas that I must have bought years ago, which, along with the Echino linen and woven interfacing, gives it a real sturdy feeling, and it can stand up on its own.

Oh and can I just say, Jeans needles, gift from the gods or what!!!?

My only regret is not bulking up the straps more, I added a strip of fusible fleece, but could have done with another layer.  I will remember that for next time.

I personally found this easier that the 241, as there are no tight curves to sew and top-stitch; and the size is brilliant, big without looking bonkers!

I think I am going to keep this one clean and fresh until Retreat, but you never know, I may have made another one by then!

Friday Fings!

A potentially quite calm day was kicked into touch at about 9 am when I re-read the letter about camp and spotted the part about all Cubs to bring a homemade cake with them!  Bugger.

I don't do baking, other than that banana bread recently, so, with a bit of wishful thinking and a super special, and thankfully helpful friend, I jotted down the recipe for chocolate flapjacks, (having sampled many at the weekend), and dashed off to get supplies, including a baking tin, (oh I know, say nothing!).

Obviously we had to sample some, to make sure the Cubs were going to be OK, and I have been told by the girls to make more tomorrow, and that they want flapjack instead of cake for their birthday... in November!  Success then.

More in-keeping with the me you have come to know and love, a delivery from Pink Castle's 30% off skinny bolt sale last week; 2yrs of AMH voile and some Liberty Lifestyle...

And I have managed to crack on a little with my Super Tote...

I have got to the stage of basting the elasticated pockets to the lining, so fingers crossed it will be a June 1st finish.

Finally, dear son got dropped off at camp, complete with flapjacks, and it looks like they are going to have a great time...

So that'll be May then; finishing on a high in both temperature and spirit.  See you in June xxx

Be Prepared...

I spent the day preparing.

Dear son heads off for his first full pack camp tomorrow, and apparently the sun is due to return for the weekend, fingers crossed pleased; not worried about him, but rain = mud = lots more washing for mummy!

I then spent the afternoon preparing a Super Tote.  Sooooooooooooooooooo much cutting and interfacing and all that horrible mularky.  I did not enjoy that bit.  But it will be worth it, hopefully a good night's sleep will clear my head for the fun piecing bit!

So not random.  Sorry, but here's a link that will make you chuckle, especially if you are of a teacher-persuasion, the parent of teens, or just glad your school days are over.  Make sure you make it to no.33, that's my favourite!

Oh, and I uploaded the contents of son's Nintendo 3DS SD card onto my MacBook for him today, he is nothing if not random...

Linking with Cindy's Really Random Thursday.