I sewed a tote bag

I made a tote bag! We finished them in class tonight. This is the Double Duty Bag from SewBaby, the shop owned by Ann Brodsky, who taught the class.

Outside

Inside (with pockets)

The bag is reversible. The strip of flowers on the striped side is pockets (three on each side of the bag). I’m using that side as the inside of my bag. Yes, the flowers on the pockets are upside down. I didn’t know how to read the pattern when I laid out the pieces.

This will be my new lunch bag. It’s a little big for that (though some days, it’ll be my breakfast/lunch/dinner bag) but I need a new lunch bag and I’m too happy with this one to not use it.

I enjoyed the process. I forget how many seams I ripped out while I made it. Also, sewing requires a lot of ironing. It’s probably good that I didn’t know that before I signed up. Also also, I apparently did not learn how to use scissors in kindergarten because I did not cut my fabric in straight lines.

Next week, the pajama pants and t-shirt class begins. I have to go buy the pattern and fabric on Friday afternoon, on my way to a writing retreat. So I might spend part of the retreat cutting out the pattern.

I’m planning to get a sewing machine and keep this up. I’m going to make more bags–if you look closely at the photos you’ll see that I need more practice sewing in straight lines. Plus, having extra lunch bags would be useful (and I have a plan for making the pattern shorter and wider) and we never have enough reusable grocery bags.