Pink & Orange Dotted Tote

I'll pick up from where I last left. As you can see, I sewed the lining as well as the main fabric with all the panels. I must say this part was not easy. I was glad to be done with that.

 

The next step was to attach the main fabric and the lining. I struggled with this step so much that I had to rip it open twice. I almost felt like throwing a fit like my toddler. All I had to do was insert the lining into the main fabric and sew it all around the top with a 3" opening. I did it wrong and instead of a clean finish; it exposed all the raw edges. Finally on my third attempt I was able to get it right.

I cut out two strips of fabric and 25" x 4". Attached an iron-on fusible interfacing to give it some thickness. Folded it and sewed it into straps. I love how the two straps turned out to be of two different colors.

Finally this is how the bag looks like from the inside after the the straps were sewed in. All neat and clean.

A look at the completed bag.

I made two different sized flowers from the leftover fabric and attached them to the front of the bag with a matching button.

The final Look:

Update on the T-Shirt Dresses Project

Finally, I have an update for the T-Shirt Dress project. All the clothes have been packed and shipped to Evelet in Mumbai. I did hit a road block when it came to shipping the package.The quotes, I got from UPS and  DHL were simply ridiculous.  For that price I could have booked a ticket to India and personally delivered  the package to Evelet. Mentioning that this was for charity was no help at all. Anyway, I finally shipped it through the Postal Service (USPS).  Here is a look-see.

These are all the T-Shirt dresses I sewed. I was able to make about 17 dresses in a month. It was an absolute delight and fun project. I wish I will have more opportunities to do this kind of project in the future.

The boys t-shirts were donated by my friends. Thanks to Prathima Lal, Sudha Laxminarayan and Pallavi Rahate for their generosity.

I will have more updates once the clothes have been delivered. Thanks again  Evelet.

Second Tote

I am making a second tote. I need a bag for gym as well as the library. I want an over-sized bag, so that I can stuff anything & everything in it. Gone are my  days of carrying a pretty little handbag. Nowadays I need something that resembles a sack. It has to accommodate everything....water bottles, snacks, my kids books, tissue, first aid kit, stuffed toys....you get the picture.

Anyway, this is my main fabric. The one which will be on the outside. Isn't it  really pretty? I love all the orange and pink dots on this fabric. It has quiet a modern look to it. It is 100% lightweight cotton.

 I cut two 18" x 18" pieces for the front and the back of the bag.

Repeated the same steps for the lining. The fabric I used for the lining has a faux suede look with ribbed texture like corduroy. It is a medium weight upholstery fabric, so it is nice and thick. Once I line the bag with this fabric it will hold well.

I wanted the tote to have a boxed look, so I cut up single strips of both the main and lining fabric. They are for the side & bottom panels and measure about 56"L x 5"W.

That is as far as I got. Will update tomorrow....:)