Mountain Tote Bag :Finished!

I finished something!  A while back I posted about an art quilt UFO from an online Pamela Allen class.  I decided it would become a tote bag.

This piece is already quilted with backing and batting.  I just satin-stitched through all layers to attach the appliqué and do the quilting at the same time.

I found an old canvas tote bag that had dark green handles and was approximately the right size.

I remembered a workshop with Karen Eckmeier in which she had covered a canvas tote with patchwork.  I couldn't find her book which I think had instructions for the tote project, but I set out to make a quilted tote bag cover.

I ripped out the stitching along the side seams.

Then I created some more patchwork with mountainy, leafy fabrics to make the cover large enough.  I just happened to have some fabric with log cabins in my stash!

Since the other piece was already quilted, I quilted the new section as well.

I added a narrow dark green binding to each end, using some leftover binding from another project.
Then I sewed the two quilted sections together.  I trimmed the canvas tote to be the same size as the quilted cover.

 I used an overcast stitch on my Janome to finish the tote bag edges, since I cut off the serging that was on there.  Canvas can unravel very easily.

Next I applied a fusible mesh to the quilted cover, and ironed it to the canvas.  Then I stitched the pieces together around the edges.  It seemed like it needed more quilting to hold the layers together, so I just did some in the ditch stitching through all layers.

I sewed the side seams back together.  Then I made a gusset so the tote bag could stand up.

After trimming the seam, all I had to do was turn it right-side out.

Here is the front side.

And here is the reverse side.

This bag is just the right size and padded enough to carry my iPad, a library book, and my chargers when we travel to the mountains.

And we did travel to the mountains this weekend...and look!  We got to see the new cabin lit up for the first time!  They hooked up the electricity and the gas on Friday.

I love the way the house lights are reflected in the pond below.

The fireplace is now functional with gas logs, although the mantle is not finished and the rocks need to be mortared.  But it made a cozy fire and for the first time it was warm enough to be comfortable inside the cabin.

We did not sleep in the new place, because the water is not hooked up yet, and the gas furnace is not yet fired up.  But next weekend we will have new beds, and couch and chair delivered, and hopefully we will be all set.

Another Reveal- Quilted Tote Bag

Okay, breathing big sigh of relief that huge family gathering has come and gone. Everything went well, and it was great to see everyone. My aunt and cousin Lisa recently relocated from Alaska back to Virginia, and they were able to join us this year. My kids all stayed the whole weekend. I gave the second of my Great Big Tote Bags to my sister Katy.

For all my blogging friends who alter/dye/paint fabric, I used a piece of color-discharged fabric on the back of this bag. I think I must have used a Clorox bleach pen, because I had drawn some designs on the fabric. I can't remember, because I discharged a lot of fabric years ago after seeing an article on different techniques in American Quilter. I quilted in some big loopy flowers.

This tote is a bound quilt that is folded in half and seamed up the sides by hand. Then you sew across the bottom corners to form a bottom of the bag, and I added a covered bottom piece attached with Velcro.

Do you remember the dreaded double-knit polyester quilt? I spent many hours sewing up or patching over the parts that had dry-rotted during its decades in a plastic bag. It was bound and delivered to my sister-in-law, who was very happy with it despite it being kind of stretchy and lumpy. It has great sentimental value for her since her grandma made it.

Here are a couple of my favorite shots from the weekend. The family patriarch once again volunteered to carve the turkey. Actually, two turkeys, deep-fried!

My niece Melinda (on the right) and her brother's wife Robin are both expecting. A third niece, Rachel, is due at the same time as Melinda, but she lives in Tennessee and could not make it to the party. We should have lots of babies to pass around next year. :)

And there were lots of little ones running around this year. My dad gave my granddaughter Lily a sketch pad and some washable markers, and she had a mini-art lesson at the lap of the expert.

He asked what she wanted him to draw, and she quickly replied "A Mermaid." So she scored a nice Pete Turner original to take home.

My father is staying with me until Wednesday, when he will travel to my sister's near Greensboro. He lived in nearby Cary for forty years until relocating to the North Carolina mountains, so he is enjoying some visits with former neighbors and friends today. And I am going to try to get my Christmas cards ready to mail.

And enjoy a quiet day. :)