From the Ground Up Tote Bags

Bobbie Watts

Final size:

28 x 32.5cm (11 x 12 3/4in) plus handles

USD $7.57

Beginner

Sewing

For USD $7.57 you get

Easy to print at home digital pattern sheet
Simple step-by-step instructions to follow
Large detailed images and diagrams

How it works

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Brought to you by Australia’s Homespun and Quilters Companion magazines

Description

First came the seed of an idea, then the design sapling, as branches of multi-coloured medallions spread and grew. These are the 'trees' Bobbie Watts cultivated on industrial-strength felt bases for her beautiful tote bag pattern.

Full materials list included in instructions
Detailed step-by-step instructions, colour photographs and clear diagrams take you through the each step of this tote bag pattern.
You could use a variety different coloured felt to make this tote bag pattern even more vibrant and colourful!
This design lends itself to all kinds of variation and improvisation. For example, you could use spotted organza ribbon and keep to a monochrome colour scheme for the flowers, each with three layers of graduated felt circles instead of two. Or add different embroidery stitches to some of the circles and embroider the leaf centre veins in stem or double-running stitch..
Stitches used: Detached chain (lazy daisy) stitch, fly stitch, French knot, running stitch, stem stitch, straight stitch.
This project is recommended for a beginner crafter who would like to extend their bag making skills.

Materials

Fabric requirements and measurements for this tote bag pattern are specified in instructions
DMC Stranded Embroidery Cotton in colours to suit your felt colours
DMC Perle No 5 Cotton in colours to suit your felt colours
Size 6 beads in colours to coordinate with your coloured felt
Cotton webbing (handles)
Dark grey topstitching thread
Monofilament thread
Ballpoint (stretch/jersey) machine needle - size 90 or 100
Template plastic
Gel pen or other marker for felt
General sewing supplies

Designer

Bobbie Watts

What was the inspiration behind this bag concept and design? I find working with felt gives me options in my designs that are not possible with fabric.

Who do you see as the target market for designs such as these? The embroiderer who is looking for something unusual, contemporary and useful.

How would you describe your particular craft style? I’m an embroiderer at heart. Most of my designs have some embroidery on them. What drives me is taking an idea, a technique or a textile and exploring all the possibilities on offer.

Did your distinctive style happy over time or was it immediate when you started stitching? I’m told I have a distinctive style but I can’t see that myself. I certainly think my work has evolved over time, and the actual designing process has become easier.

What sorts of crafts do you avoid like the plague? I call myself a designer/embroiderer so I avoid anything without those elements.

Do you like craft shopping alone or with friends? Both, really - with friends and alone. Craft shops are usually full of inspirational bits and pieces. I must do this quite often, considering the size of my stash.

What are you top five favourite craft blogs? I do use blogs as a design tool to inspire and inform, where once I suppose I would have used books. I sometimes have to ration the time I spend on my computer because it’s a big world out there. So no, I do not really use fave blogs – I just surf.

rawatts@internode.on.net