241 4ME (and an insider scoop 4U)

Hey look, I made myself something! As soon as I saw Anna's post about her latest pattern, the 241 Tote, I snapped up that .pdf download faster than you can click ctrl-alt-delete.

Then, the fabric hunt began. I like to make my bags from home-dec weight but I've already made bags from all of the home-dec in my stash. I've had mixed results using fusible interfacing to lend body to quilting weight cotton. Home-dec is where it's at for bags people. Trust me. I've made A LOT of purses/bags/totes. But apparently I needed one more.

One day, reading the lovely Cindy's blog, I learned about Jessica Jones and her gorgeous new line Outside Oslo. Eureka! Cindy was kind enough to enable me with a handy link to an online shop selling Jessica's fabric. Again, those lightening fast fingers got me onto the shop's website and before I knew it my shopping cart was full and I'd typed my credit card number (from memory) into the checkout form. It's just too easy, isn't it?

Here it is:

I made the version with open, outside pockets in lieu of zip pockets, because frankly, I'm well beyond the days of taking toddlers to the public washroom and losing my cell phone into the drink when I lean over to help with the wipe up (anyone else? I know I'm not alone here!). I like having my phone accessible so I don't have to freak out when it rings in the library/doctor's waiting room/pilates class (gasp, I forgot to turn it off!) while frantically searching all through my purse to find it. Why is it when your phone rings at inappropriate times, you automatically search through every pocket where your phone is NOT before locating it in the pocket where it actually IS?

Lining, once again, is Arcadia by Sanae

I added a key fob to the lining. I tell myself I'll do this in every new bag, then I promptly forget. Not this time! Losing keys in the bottom of a generously-sized tote is something that drives me bonkers.

As I often do, I used my machine triple-straight-stitch for all of the top-stitching. Then, in order to continue the side panel print up onto the strap, I pieced the strap smack in the middle where it goes over my shoulder, so that the print is right side up on both sides of the strap! I also lengthened the strap by 4".

I did add some body to this bag by fusing polyester batting to the wrong side of the home-dec fabrics (I left the quilting weight lining as-is, no added interfacing). I'm really happy with this solution and will continue to use fusible batting on my larger tote bag projects. Sometimes for smaller purses, I just baste a layer of heavy canvas to the wrong side of the outer purse fabric and that is enough to lend weight to quilting cottons.

SCOOP TIME: If you are relatively new around here and haven't yet had a chance to read back through all of my 308 posts to the beginning (jeez people, what are you doing with all of your time, anyway?) AND if you've lost sleep wondering just how I came up with the name Poppyprint -- well, ask no more. Your answer is here. Yup, I'm the Name Game feature today! Stop by, get the scoop and sleep well tonight. Thanks for having me, Cindy!

SCOOP PART DEUX: Are you on to Natalie's book tour yet? Yes, Miss Cinderberry Stitches herself has the sweetest new book of patterns out and you don't want to miss your chance at winning a signed copy! Check out all of the tour stops for your chance to win. When you come back here on Thursday, there will even be an extra special somethin-somethin (or should I say someone-someone?) for Poppyprint readers. See you then!

Stop 1 - Monica - Happy Zombie (pop over now to read!)

Stop 2 - Amanda - Amanda Brooke (pop over now to read!)

14^th Pam - Pam Kitty Morning

15^th Sarah - The Last Piece

16^th Krista - Poppyprint

17^th Bari - Bari J

18^th Shari - Doohickey Design Studio

19^th Paige - Paige Hill

I told you June was going to be exciting! And there's still more to come!