Thursday 13 March 2014

Little Tote Bags...

Ladybird Tote Bag ~ Threading My Way

Early last year I did some pattern testing and made a cute, little Foundation Paper Pieced Ladybird. At the time, I thought I'd probably use the block on a little bag and that's just what I've done. It's only taken me 14 months!



The ladybird block comes in two sizes and is designed by Juliet, from Tartankiwi. I made the 5" block, which is the perfect size to add to the Little Shopper Tote. I've just pieced the block with more green fabric to keep the dimensions of the finished bag the same as in the tutorial.

I measured incorrectly and that's why there's an extra panel at the top. Ha ha... perhaps you wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't told you. Looking at it now, I think a little stitching in mauve, would have added some extra interest.

Little Shopper Tote ~ Threading My Way

Four more little totes, this time made with Garden Friends - Strawberry Sunshine by Jay McCarroll for Free Spirit. All the little people in our family have their own Little Shopper Totes, which have served many different purposes...
  • first book bag
  • shopping tote which can easily be folded up and carried by an adult when the child tires of it
  • bag to cart bits and pieces around the house
  • shopping bag for the play shop

Little Shopper Tote with Australian Animals ~ Threading My Way

The Australian animals fabric was given to me already cut, so there's no selvedge to tell me what it is. Again, I've just modified the front of the bag to keep the same sizing.


This one with the owl and koala is my favourite.


Ten bags in all, ready to be posted to Dress A Girl Around the World. They might be used in support of this month's collection, or perhaps sold to raise funds for postage. 

When I first started sewing for Dress A Girl, I didn't think about how the dresses would reach their destination. I just posted them to the Australian co-ordinator. Unless someone can take the dresses to the recipients, they need to be posted. Postage within Australia isn't cheap and it would cost WAY more to send overseas, hence the need to sell items to cover postage costs.

This month, Gigi is collecting colouring pencils, crayons, note pads and books for the children of the remote Aboriginal community of Borroloola, NT, in support of Indi Kindi. I've added a few packets of pencils in the parcel and my Mum has donated some children's books. Gigi will be volunteering in the remote community later in the year and is hoping to take donations with her.


I'm sure these little bags will come in handy one way or another. I was tempted to keep a couple for presents, but they are so quick and easy to make, I'll whip up some more when I need.them.

... Pam

11 comments:

  1. I love your paper-pieced ladybird Pam, what a great little bag!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Australian fabric is from the Riley Blake Hooty Hoot Returns range.

    Love your ladybird tote and that it is going towards such great cause.

    ReplyDelete
  3. These are so cute, Pam. I love the animal fabric! You are so good to help out with these causes. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Gina! I'll have to look out for more of that Australian animal fabric.

      Delete
  4. (So odd - random comments I make on different blogs are disappearing into the ether as soon as I hit publish - it just happened here too, for the first time - sorry if you somehow get duplicates!)

    I love that Australian animals panel - those cute bags are a great way to use up the individual blocks of the panel :) Nice gift for kids (or for a fundraiser, of course) :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Those are adorable ,,,, it makes me wonder if i can find some one to make one for,,, mirjam

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love these bags, and feel very reassured to learn that you have half done projects lying about the place for over a year too! I've just been reading about the Dress a Girl Project, It's really interesting, I'm going to see if there is a UK branch now.

    ReplyDelete
  7. love the ladybug bag! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  8. These bags are so cute! I really like the owls and ladybug. Thanks for sharing at Submarine Sunday!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! I love reading your comments and try to reply to all of them via email. If you don't receive an email reply from me, check back here.