Twofer Tote

As I mentioned in my last post, I had another pattern test coming up. This was for a new designer I'd never tested for before, but I had sewn one of her other bags recently. The test is now completed, and it went very well. I'd gladly test for her again. Here's the resulting bag:

It's the Twofer Tote, by Linds Handmade Designs, and it can be purchased here.

It has shoulder straps plus a crossbody strap, and when carried as a crossbody, it folds over for a different look.

The pattern features leather accents, but cork or faux leather (as mine is) can also be used, and I learned some good tips for sewing with leather. It even has an accent piece around the zipper pocket inside, and I love the look of it. It's so easy to do, and the inside of the pocket has no raw edges, not even the zipper tape.

There are lots of rivets in this bag... 20, to be exact! Although if you're intimidated by rivets, you could skip them and just stitch instead, but I really like the look, even of those on the inside of the bag, They just add 'something', don't you think?

The fabric I used on the outside is some of Jess's (a.k.a. howaboutorange) barkcloth that she designed a few years ago for Cloud9 Fabrics. (Unfortunately it's all sold out now, so don't even ask.) I still love the texture of it.

So there you have it... a sweet tote bag with a zippered top, three slip pockets on the outside, one accented zipper pocket inside, shoulder straps plus a crossbody strap. I love it, and the pattern was easy to sew (some bag-making experience is helpful but not required), well thought-out and detailed, yet not complicated or confusing. I highly recommend it!

Grandpa happened to come home just as I'd finished taking photos, so I enlisted his help for one more, so you can get a feel for the size of the tote. It's just right, I think.

Speaking of taking photos, the background makes all the difference! Here's one that I took on the deck steps. It sure looks blah compared to the ones in front of the flowers, doesn't it?

What's next? Maybe another pattern test. The tester call hasn't come yet. Other than that, there are still plenty of to-sew's on my list, so we'll see.