I had mentioned earlier in the week that I had plans to turn my cut-too-little patchwork wheel quilt block into a version of my quilted tote bag (tutorial here). Can you have too many tote bags? I don't think so!
It's made up of a rainbow of scraps from my scraps basket, along with some more of those Riley Blake Chevrons! I swear, the chevrons in my studio are multiplying!?
It's over-sized and has a really large squared off bottom, which should fit everything I need to take when the five of us leaves the house nicely.
I did make the straps a little long, but I think that ended up being a happy mistake. I have made several tote bags now and this is the first that is a cross-body bag, which is actually how I prefer to wear my bags anyways.
These quilted bags are super simple to make, they're lined, washable, super soft, and can be folded up and tucked away, plus I think it's really fun! Yup, I like it!
It's made up of a rainbow of scraps from my scraps basket, along with some more of those Riley Blake Chevrons! I swear, the chevrons in my studio are multiplying!?
It's over-sized and has a really large squared off bottom, which should fit everything I need to take when the five of us leaves the house nicely.
I did make the straps a little long, but I think that ended up being a happy mistake. I have made several tote bags now and this is the first that is a cross-body bag, which is actually how I prefer to wear my bags anyways.
These quilted bags are super simple to make, they're lined, washable, super soft, and can be folded up and tucked away, plus I think it's really fun! Yup, I like it!
I really did have such a great sewing week!! And then... last night my biggest "sewing fear" happened! Throughout these last two years of sewing, I have experienced it all -- both little and big rotary and scissor cuts to the fingers, needle pokes, iron burns, I even hand-stitched a piece of embroidery work to my pants! Well, last night while working on a second dress, this time for Haila, I was using a stitch similar to a serge stitch, and I sewed right through my finger. As in through my nail and all the way to the other side. NOT GOOD!! I broke the needle and even had to pull a thread out that was running in one side and out the other. ACK! It's super sore, but honestly I am amazed that the aftermath isn't worse. Crazy!!
Good thing I have a Fabric Giveaway planned for tomorrow (here's a peek), because I think it's wise for me to take the day off and slow down a little. I'm sure you all have your own sewing injury stories -- feel free to share!!
Who knew sewing could be so dangerous? Good thing it's immensely satisfying!
Take care, friends!! ♥ Maureen
very cool!
ReplyDeleteAdorable bag!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad to hear about your injury! Take care!
Hugs,
Tatyana
Oh gosh that is my (sewing) worst nightmare too. Its what kept me from learning how to sew for so many years....I was terrified of that. Praying you heal quickly. Id have passed right out!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your tote bag! And of course, coming from me, I will reaffirm that one can never have too many. Its why I started making and selling my own...to save all the money I was spending:)
YIKES!! Go easy on those fingers from now on!
ReplyDeleteyour tote is so cute, great job. I like to use my extra blocks for totes, too. So sorry to hear about your injury, it must be quite painful, and scary, too. Hope it heals soon.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, your poor finger! Glad it's manageable, but I'm wincing just thinking about it. Ouch :S
ReplyDeleteSlowing down definitely sounds like a great plan, and that tote looks gorgeous. I love how chevrons go with anything, which means that it's no problem if they're multiplying. You can keep on using them! ;D
Oh my! That's my worst fear, too, and you're the third person I know who's had that happen. Excuse me whilst I go to knock on some wood because the worst that's ever happened to me has been pricking with a hand sewing needle. Get well soon!
ReplyDeleteIt's really cute! And no, one can never have too many tote bags. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the tote - but I love the wire dress form even more! Where did you get it! I'm totally coveting it!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deborah! The wire dress form is from Home Goods, which is the home decor discount part of TJ Max! I love it!! It is more than a year old, but they carry these sorts of things pretty often.
DeleteOh, and I should also mention -- it is large, but honestly the waist on it is about the same size as my 5 year olds! It certainly is great for picture taking!!
DeleteMaureen, this is GREAT chevron stripe stashing inspiration!! Thank you for sharing, take care of yourself, and I have done every one of those things at least once, even down to sewing my work to my pants, luckily my needle broke before the needle went all the way to the other side. So don't feel alone.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bag! Ack on the finger, this is my biggest fear too. Hope it feels better asap!
ReplyDeleteCute bag Maureen! Hope your finger heals quickly, that is just about my worst fear in sewing!!
ReplyDeleteWow! So sorry about your finger. My daughter comments on how I sew without injury and I've never understood. She's sewn her finger a few times and is supper cautious now.
ReplyDeleteYour bag looks awesome. And "no, you can't have too many bags." LOL
The bag is cute and a good way to use some extra squares. Slow down and take it easy, that finger is probably going to be sore for a few days.
ReplyDeleteAs a retired RN might I suggest a tetnus booster??? At least give the doc's office a call and see what they think... Ouch!
ReplyDeleteLove the bag by the way...
Whoa! Finger pain . . . reminds me of the time I put an exacto knife all the way through the top of my thumb. Crafting is dangerous.
ReplyDeleteLove the bag and thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteOuch on the sewn finger, glad it wasn't worse.
The only thing I've done (well 2 things) is wipe the hair out of my face with an open rotary cutter in my hand ~ cut my face and bled all over my fabric and once dropped a pair of embroidery scissors ~ point down into my foot. I was ouching all over the place.
The perfect tote...bright, colorful and long! I cringe just thinking about your finger. I hope it heals quickly and completely.
ReplyDeleteOh what accidents - even sewing can be dangerous! Be careful!
ReplyDeleteI love your new bag! How great idea to mix lots of things! Hmmm should I make a bag with my butterflies ...
x Teje
Aaaah, I am so sorry! That is the one sewing accident I hope and pray I never have! Hope it heals up soon!
ReplyDeleteLovely tote, and great empathy on the injuries, I am currently typing two fingered due to a pin rip in my middle finger at the weekend- I was pulling the pin out as it was going under the machine, and missed, just impaled pin on finger, and ripped down enough to bleed plenty over my quilt!
ReplyDeleteI have not yet sewn my finger in the machine, but have had all your other injuries, just not all at once! Touching wood!
I think when the gods of sewing tell you to stop, by sewing a seam wrong, or chopping a lump out of your finger with the roll cutter, you should bow to them and stop before it gets worse!
Oh, no, that is my worse sewing fear too, girl! Rest up.
ReplyDeleteholy hell! you sewed right through your finger! maureen! i am so sorry! oh no!
ReplyDeleteEgads! This is the first time I've ever felt queasy and faint reading someone's sewing blog. I wish you a quick recovery so you can get back to sewing the beautiful dress. Now I'm going to go lie down.
ReplyDeleteLove the bag, so great to be able to use a quilt for it that was too small!
ReplyDeleteOh dear all those injuries at once! I clipped the side of my nail in the machine once I patched it up and carried on sewing =D
Absolutely gorgeous tote Maureen but wow, what a painful night you have had! Heal up quick. xo
ReplyDeleteAbout 12 years ago, I did the same thing (needle through the finger). I went to the ER to have a tetanus shot. 24 hours later, my body had a reaction to the tetanus shot and back to the ER I went. My temp spiked to nearly 104 and they had to ice me down and run an IV. Needless to say, I was told to NEVER have another tetanus shot!
ReplyDeleteI'm REALLY careful with those dang needles now! Ha.
Wow, now that is awful!! I had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years for sure? My husband is a nurse and he said that I'm fine! :)
DeleteGlad to hear it. I wondered if you needed a tetanus shot. Have hubby treat you very well over the next few days!
DeleteOh, he always treats me great -- when he's not pointing and laughing at what a klutz I am!! :) :)
DeleteYowie, that sounds totally eye-watering! My worst injuries are caused sewing bear noses by hand, as the tip of my index finger tends to get numb, and then I find I actually have a hole caused by the eye end of the needle poking in, which is a bit nippy for days afterwards!
ReplyDeleteGreat Bag.. I am knocking on wood!!!
ReplyDeleteOmg...i'm nauseous just thinking about it. So sorry!
ReplyDeleteI hope your finger is better tonight !
ReplyDeleteI've never had an accident because I usually stop sewing when everything starts to go wrong. It's as if my machine knew I was tired/impatient and she starts acting up so I give her a break when that happens.
And I agree. One can never have too many tote bags (or zippered pouches). Does the need to have more ever stop ?
Holy cow, I'm glad you're okay! Yikes!! And I think your bag is just lovely, even if it's made from an oops bee block - good for you for putting it to good use so quickly!!
ReplyDeleteOH Maureen!! Feel better soon! =(
ReplyDeleteAnd, nice bag too!! Of course it's wonderful!! =D
DeleteLove the bag! Been there, done that with the finger. Ouch!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness! I think that is one of my greatest fears! Well that and snakes and have to rip stiches. I hate ripping out stiches! Ugh! The tote is adorable!!
ReplyDeletePs. if you ever need a product or pattern tester I'm your girl! ;)
That's so cute. Great job with it. It looks so professional!
ReplyDeleteЯркая и замечательная сумка!
ReplyDeleteMaureen, that is AWFUL! I am so sorry. I hope your finger heals quickly! Your new bag is awesome. I've got a few leftover blocks that I'm hoping to make into other things soon, too!
ReplyDeleteOh no oh no!! I hope your finger is doing ok-- that is one of my worst nightmares! I once cut through my fingernail with an industrial paper cutter, and I was so afraid to look and see how bad it was. Luckily, those things tend to heal quickly, but it's always so scary!
ReplyDeleteOn a positive note, your bag looks great!
OUCH! I think you trumped all my sewing injuries! I've only caught a finger in my sewing machine once, and it wasn't NEAR what a serger could do! I was thankful for acrylic nails at one point, because they took the brunt of my rotary cutter mishaps... Sewing war stories! haha, I don't want to wait for the book OR the movie! :D Happy healing!
ReplyDelete