When I first start developing a pattern (like the Firefly Tote pattern shown here), I grab a few solids and start cutting. I typically use a solid for the initial samples (usually a less precious fabric for the very first attempts). These single-fabric Firefly Totes were both made when things were getting pretty close to the final dimensions (there were a few minor tweaks after I made these samples even!).

Believe me that there were so many iterations of this Tote before I finally landed on this design and these sizes. Whew! My studio was looking like a bag making factory! I had so many ideas on how this tote should look and when I finally came to this combination of pockets/zipper placement, etc. I knew it was the one.

Single-fabric Firefly Totes: modification

These both are made using a solid fabric for the entire exterior. I know you’re probably thinking, “But the pattern uses an accent fabric for the front pocket!”. Well, that’s true, but of course you can cut whatever pieces from any fabric you choose. So if you’d like to make a Firefly using a single fabric exterior (hey! it doesn’t have to be a solid!) you’ll need 1 yd of both exterior and lining fabrics {2/3 yd of each for the Project size} and then the drawstring closure can be cut out of a 1/2 yd {1/3 yd for the Project size}. See? Not too bad!

We’re heading into Week 3 of the Firefly Tote sew-along in about 6 days. If you haven’t signed up, you still can, click here to enter your name and email! The next weekly email will go out on Tuesday, July 6th (about 6:25 am CST here in the US). Each week’s email will have links for the previous sew-along emails, so no need to worry, you won’t have missed anything!

Project Details

• Pattern: Firefly Tote Pattern (shown here in both the “Tote” and “Project” sizes, both sizes are included in the pattern)
• Fabrics:
  • “Tote” size: Dark Agave waxed canvas from Fabric Funhouse, Perennial by Sarah Golden purchased from Home Ec Workshop (Iowa).
  • “Project” size: dry oilskin in Grey purchased from Bijou Lovely, Perennial by Sarah Golden purchased from Home Ec Workshop (Iowa).
• Zippers and leather handles available in my shop!

Oh and if you’re looking for a full kit for the Firefly, Sewtopia put a bunch together, maybe you could snag one of those?

I wanted this Firefly in Kept to have its own post. I made this sample of my newest pattern, the Firefly Tote and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to talk about fabric weights and combinations.

Fabric Weight

This sample uses Big Sur Canvas in Black (I purchased mine from Stitch Supply Co. for this tote). Canvas is one of the suggested fabrics for the exterior fabric selection. I try to be very specific with suggested fabrics because in bag making it is very important (it’s actually always important no matter what you’re sewing, as it does affect the outcome of your project – so always check that out the suggestions for the pattern you’re making!).

I suggest a 7-9 oz. canvas for the exterior fabric requirement. Big Sur is at the top of that range at 9.6 oz. so it’s a perfect choice! Anything lighter then 7 oz. will either require more interfacing for the same/similar results OR a different combination of fabric/quilting, etc. This includes Essex which is too light weight of a fabric (5.6 oz. weight) for using as the Exterior! Essex is the substrate my fabric collections have been printed on (Forage, Driftless, Quarry Trail, etc.). Essex is perfect for the accent fabric however!

Interfacing

For this particular sample and as written in the pattern, my personal preference is Pellon 809 for interfacing (it’s considered a medium-weight fusible for bag making). It’s a bit stiff and perfect for a tote like this. I have no difficulty with wrinkles or fusing it to canvas (sometimes it can be very fussy when fusing to quilting cotton), but with canvas it goes on perfectly! You could also substitute Decovil light! (Let me know how you like it if you do.)

Kept Fabric

This sample showcases Carolyn Friedlander’s latest fabric collection, Kept as the accent fabric. I love being able to use a beautiful print like this and I think it is such a fun pop of interest to the front pockets/drawstring closure.

Project Details:

• Pattern: Firefly Tote (“Tote” size, which is the larger of the two sizes you can choose)
• Fabric: Big Sur canvas for the exterior (in Black), Kept by Carolyn Friedlander for the Accent, and a black/white grid for the lining (I believe this is one I purchased from Purl Soho years ago, but this Essex would be similar although a large scale grid)
• Zippers (7″ zip for “tote” size), leather (this is the Rustic color in my shop), and drawstring cord all available in my shop

Sew-along

Lastly, I’m putting together a sew-along for the Firefly Tote that will begin June 22nd (the first email will go out then!). It’s an email-based newsletter style sew-along. You can click here to sign up! No pressure to keep up with the schedule, it’s just for fun. If you’re busy during this time sign up anyway and keep the emails for future use!