Project #1 - Tote Bag

Well, I just finished my first sewing project - the tote bag. If you don't look too close I think it is okay. I had some problems attaching the handles, I think I will do it differently on the next bag. Also, the lining was just a teensy bit smaller than the outer part of the bag which caused some rumpling when I sewed it in. I am not sure how to fix that other than doing a better job cutting and sewing the lining to start with. I think I might try to line the second bag differently to see if it turns out a bit better. We will see how it goes. Here is a photo of the first bag:

Just so I am not stepping on anyone copyright-wise this bag design was found in the book SEW Everything Workshop by Diana Rupp .

Pourquoi?

I don't know why, but all of a sudden I wanted to learn how to sew. I've never sewed (well I attempted to hem some curtains this summer - it was something of a disaster) - I've never taken Home Ec and made a pair of pajama pants. My Mom doesn't sew much anything more complicated than buttons, though as a child I always loved looking through her sewing tin. My Nana does sew and knit, she makes the most beautiful quilts. But, in my 25 years of life you would think I would have showed an interest before now if I was going to ask her to show me something and I haven't.

So when I started looking at patterns and sewing machines about two weeks ago I don't know why I started. Maybe just to kill time a work. But, I picked out my ideal sewing machine - a Bernette 66 by Bernina. From what I can tell it retails for about $300.00 so I didn't think that would become a reality. I also looked at sewing books on Amazon. I ended up checking out Vogue Sewing, The Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing, and SEW Everything Workshop from the library. Then lightning struck! There was a Bernette 65 by Bernina on eBay. I ended up winning it - woo hoo!! I also ordered the SEW Everything Workshop book because it had really good descriptions of basic procedures and included some fun projects. I'll eventually add the Reader's Digest book to my collection as well.

With the knowledge my sewing machine was on its way I decided to plan out a simple project from the SEW Everything Workshop book and head to JoAnn's to get my supplies. Unknowingly, I went to the store on the last day of their Moonlite Madness (why spell it that way?) Sale. It was nice because I got some good deals on my purchases, but it was a madhouse! I had to wait 20 minutes to get my fabric cut. I was glad when the sales clerk told me it wasn't always that busy. Anyways, I ended up with some fabric I was pretty happy with. I will include some pictures shortly. It will be used to make two tote bags.

 

My sewing machine was waiting for me Tuesday evening when I got home from work - YAY! I worked on figuring out how to thread it and practiced stitching on some of the scraps left over from cutting out my first tote bag pieces. It was a little discouraging - I thought it looked very messy. Last night I decided to just go for the first bag and figure things out from there. It actually worked out pretty well - things are coming together. Tonight I just have to attach the strap and insert the lining and my first tote will be done!