I made this Crescent Tote as one of my first samples before the pattern was published in Making Magazine’s No.6 issue. I always love using Ellen’s (Ellen Luckett Baker) beautiful fabrics. The designs, colors, and weight of the canvas fabric is my favorite for bag making. They’re popular, too! Most collections of hers sell out relatively quickly, so if you see one you like be sure to snap it up. I usually buy one yard and that covers what I need for *most* projects. If I’m making a large tote I might do a yard and half. 🙂

I’m so glad to see lots of Crescent Totes popping up! It’s a fun and relatively quick project. I definitely plan on trying to focus on quicker projects. I know I like them because they’re satisfying to make, especially if you don’t have lots of time to sew. They’re great for an afternoon of sewing, or breaking into two small sewing sessions. When I can I enjoy cutting and prepping in on session and then maybe the following day sewing things up! Do you like to sew that way? Or an all-in-one shot? I used to be in the latter category, but that lead to many late nights of sewing. Not complaining about that though, it satisfied my urge to make even when my kids were super little.

So I think this sample might be one I’m keeping for myself! It’s such a nice size for knitting projects, which has me thinking, what project to start on next?!?

Hope you’re enjoying this early part of summer (at least for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere). Have a great weekend! Oh, and if you finished a Crescent Tote (formerly named the Making Bag in the magazine issue) tag me on Instagram (@noodlehead531). I always love seeing what you make! So many fun fabric combinations to oogle over.

I have one more sample to show off (it’s been an interesting balance between some secret sewing and all the other stuff life brings), but I’m excited to share them soon!

Pattern: Crescent Tote
Fabric: Brushstrokes (Paint Collection) by Ellen Luckett Baker for Kokka Fabrics

My daughter, Natalie, turned 13 this week. It seemed like such a big thing for her to turn 13! A teenager! I can hardly believe it. She was only 3 years old when I started this blog if you can believe that. She had a great day of celebrating. We had such a fun day. When I had asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she requested a dress amongst a few other things. I waited until the last minute and ended up staying up late sewing the night before her birthday, but I got it done!

She had specifically requested the Southport Dress by True Bias. I had made Emily one a few years ago and now Natalie wanted one, too. Size wise it was a bit of hard time figuring out what to do. She’s out of the size range for the Mini Southport and a bit too small for the adult Southport. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out which way would be best, sizing the mini up or sizing the regular adult size down. After looking at the style lines and details, I figured the adult version would be harder to modify to fit her. So I sized up the Mini Southport and crossed my fingers it would fit! Luckily it is fairly straightforward, so I did a quick baste fitting after school to double check and it worked! I was so relieved.

I usually don’t sew at night much anymore if I can help it. It’s funny how things change! That’s the only time I used to sew. I felt a little rushed, so the buttonholes could have turned out a little better, but you can’t really see them when it’s buttoned. I hung it in her room right after I finished it, so she woke up to it on her birthday. It was really rewarding to see her wear it, plus she looks so pretty in it! I’m glad she picked the Printmaking lawn by Lizzy House for it. It’s the perfect summer dress!

Pattern: Mini Southport Dress by True Bias (sized up to approximately a size 14)

Fabric: Printmaking lawn by Lizzy House for Andover Fabrics

As promised I’m so happy to show some of the tester versions of my new Redwood Tote and Crescent Tote patterns. I had such a great time seeing what everyone made (sometimes more than one!) and am so grateful for their keen eyes and attention to detail. It’s always so helpful to hear another person’s perspective, and they help make the pattern the best it can be!

Hope you enjoy seeing these!

Alexandra’s Crescent Tote featuring Jen Hewett’s Imagine Landscapes canvas

Angeline’s Crescent Tote featuring Kokka canvas

Christa’s beautiful Neutral and stripe Crescent Tote

Kristine’s Crescent Tote featuring Nate Berkus Fabric

Natasha’s Crescent Tote featuring Alexia Abegg’s canvas

Sarah’s Crescent Tote featuring Birch Organics Whale canvas

Christa’s natural canvas and spring green Redwood Tote

Kathryn’s Redwood Tote featuring Balboa by Erin Dollar

Katie’s Mulberry waxed canvas Redwood Tote

Loni’s classic Navy Redwood Tote

Sheila’s red Redwood Tote!

Sheila’s second Redwood Tote

Sheila’s blue Redwood Tote

Hillary’s Redwood Tote featuring Melody Miller Poolside canvas

Have a great weekend. Thanks always for stopping by.