Sewing

Summer Maker’s Tote + Video

Summer Maker's Tote - pattern by Anna Graham, Noodlehead

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. I taught my Maker’s Tote pattern at my local quilt shop, Olive Juice Quilts. It was a fun little group and I always enjoy seeing what different fabric combinations everyone comes up with. They were a great mix of local folks as well as some from Minneapolis and Chicago, so it was fun to hear howΒ they traveled to Onalaska. I think we all agreed that having a built in shopping hour would have come in handy – next time! Olive Juice has such a great mix of fabrics, all the new stuff as well as a huge selection of different substrates. If you’re ever in the area, you definitely need to stop in.

Summer Maker's Tote - pattern by Anna Graham, Noodlehead

Summer Maker's Tote - pattern by Anna Graham, Noodlehead

So as I was making the step outs for class I also made a new tote and took some videos (I had my girls be my audience and it was the best ever because I hate talking to myself on video, haha). The Maker’s Tote is an intermediate skill level pattern, but it’s nothing tooΒ complicated, so if you have an adventurous spiritΒ –Β you can definitely do it. ForΒ one of the students in class, it was her first time making a bag, and she did great!

Summer Maker's Tote - pattern by Anna Graham, Noodlehead

Summer Maker's Tote - pattern by Anna Graham, Noodlehead

The reason for the video is thatΒ I wanted to have an extra resource for those who are up for the challenge, but maybe feel they aren’t quite ready to go it alone, or those who prefer a video learning format. I took the trickier parts and did videos of those steps, including any additionalΒ tips and tricks I could think of. I definitely want anyone who triesΒ anyΒ of my patterns to be able to be successful, so I hope these extras will help. While they aren’t a full sew along, I hope it’ll be a helping hand you might need. Check out the video here.Β I do have the comments in the video disabled, so if you have questions feel free to ask them here or email me. Trust me when I say this isn’t a fancy video (including points where it looks like I’m going to sew my fingers – it’s definitely the camera angle! eek!), but hopefully it gets the point across.

Maker’s Tote Tips – Video

Summer Maker's Tote - pattern by Anna Graham, Noodlehead


Pattern: Maker’s Tote (size small shown)
Fabric: Miss Matatabi on etsyΒ (she also has a new online shop as well),
Robert Kaufman Gingham and Yarn Dyed Essex
Zippers: Wawak.com for separating zipper and 7″ zipper from my shop
Snap Starter Kit available in my shop


Hope your summer is going great!

Summer Maker's Tote - pattern by Anna Graham, Noodlehead

34 thoughts on “Summer Maker’s Tote + Video

  1. Allison C says:

    Will you be teaching there again? I live in Boston, but my family lives outside of Minneapolis…so it would be a good excuse to visit and take a cool class.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Allison, I’m sure I’ll be teaching at Olive Juice again, it’s my local shop. You could sign up for their newsletters for updates on future classes. πŸ™‚

  2. Thanks for the video. I recently purchased this pattern and am looking forward to getting started.

  3. brianne says:

    I loved your video!! Def bookmarking this if I attempt this lovely bag!

  4. Kerry says:

    That’s a really helpful resource Anna, everything is v easy t understand seeing it in video.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Kerry! I’m glad you think it is helpful. πŸ™‚

  5. bobbingirl says:

    Just gorgeous Anna, I love all your patterns and the fabric you use

  6. kitty says:

    Thank you for the great video and the tips and tricks you share!!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Kitty, glad it’ll be helpful to you. πŸ™‚

  7. C. Dufort says:

    I cannot view your video. So sad!!! I have purchased your Caravan Tote pattern and wish you would make a video tutorial because I am stuck and have problem following the pattern with all of its pieces. So I’ve put it aside and decided to make one from Debbie Shore since she has an online tutorial to go with her design.
    I just love your totes designs and wish you would make videos to accompany them, it would be such a great help. The videos don’t need to be fancy or perfect, but just enough to guide us through completion.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks for your comment. The video is on Youtube so it should be super accessible to anyone, just follow the link. As for the Caravan Tote, my friend Reece recently did a sew along you’ll probably find helpful: http://www.happyokapi.ca/blog/caravan-tote-sew-along-announcement I’ll definitely keep more videos in mind as I know everyone’s learning style is different. πŸ™‚

  8. Pamela says:

    ADORABLE! I love it!

  9. Audrey says:

    Can you add a shoulder strap to this? I love the bag but I like to have my hands free when I’m shopping etc. Thanks!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Audrey, you definitely could add a shoulder strap. πŸ™‚ Even though this tote isn’t really designed to be a purse, you could certainly use it as one.

  10. Thank you ! Having a video really helps.

  11. Jeanie says:

    Great video! I bought the pattern after watching the video. I think I will be more confident having you show me the trickier bits. Thanks!

  12. Dyann Cox says:

    Anna you should make more videos! You did a fabulous job showing and explaining the steps for this bag! I learn by watching more easily than reading directions and this video was GREAT!!! Thank you for taking the time to make it πŸ™‚

    1. Anna Graham says:

      So glad you found it helpful Dyann! πŸ™‚

  13. Brenda says:

    Thank you for this video. I have the pattern, and bought some not-expensive fabrics at JoAnn’s to make my first bag. After I build up some confidence, I want to make one with some sheep fabric I’ve been hoarding. I knit allot of socks, and I think the small size bag will be perfect for as a knitting bag.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Brenda! And yes, a small with the sheep fabric for a sock knitting bag sounds so perfect!!! πŸ™‚

  14. Krista says:

    I finally got a chance to watch the whole video, and it was great. I would love watching more videos produced by you–you have a wonderful teaching style, and your voice is well-modulated for the camera; you also seem to know how to explain the right things in the right places. πŸ™‚ Very well done. Bias tape seems so easy after watching this!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks so much Krista. That’s the best compliment. πŸ™‚

  15. Just bought the pattern and made the bag, absolutely love it, wrote about you on my blog dianshappyroom.blogspot.co.uk as I am so pleased with how it turned out. Now to make the large version.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      So glad you liked making it Diana! πŸ™‚

  16. Lisa says:

    I plan on making this tote! How time consuming would you say it is? I’m a confident seamstress and used to reading patterns, just wondered how long you think it takes from start to finish! Thanks already!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Lisa,
      thanks for the question. I’d say it would take around 6-8 hours. πŸ™‚

  17. MariΓ‘n says:

    Is it possible to buy it in Spanish?

  18. Jandi Dean says:

    I just purchased the pattern and by some miracle have all the supplies handy. However, I keep reading the instructions for the exterior zipper pocket and I’m just not getting it. Do you have pictures or a video available that may be able to walk me through.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Jandi,
      I don’t have a video for that part, I’m sorry. I would suggest grabbing some scrap fabric and practicing first, use a basting stitch so you can rip it out an re-try more easily. You can do it! πŸ™‚

  19. Sharon Luedeman says:

    Would this tote be appropriate for a Singer Featherweight? Is there a hard bottom on this tote?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Sharon, I know I’ve seen a few examples of people making them for their featherweights. There isn’t a hard bottom but you can definitely add one. You might find some good examples in my facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noodlehead/

      1. Sharon Luedeman says:

        Thank you for your response. I do not have a FB account so won’t be able to check out the examples. I will maybe try this for my FW. Thank you again.

  20. Sue says:

    As others have mentioned, a tutorial on the sewing of the bag would be helpful. I am stuck at trying to install the interior zippered pocket. Unless I can figure it out, I won’t buy more patterns.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Sue, I haven’t done a full video yet for the Maker’s Tote yet, I do have full free videos to go along with my newest patterns (Pepin Tote, Sandhill Sling, and Firefly Tote), if you like following along on a video. Otherwise, I’m hoping to get to some of my older patterns in the new year (part of being a one-person business!). πŸ™‚ If you’d like a specific zipper install video, my friend Sara has a video you might like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET3IpIDq02o, I’m guessing you’d love to check out her other work, too, she has lots of videos. πŸ™‚

Comments are closed.