Go anywhere “Curiosities” tote.. Great for the beach, but perfect for running around town.
Art Gallery Fabrics recently contacted me and asked if I would like to create a project from their new Curiosities Collection. The new fabric line is from the ever-so talented Jeni Baker. As soon as I saw the fabric, I knew I had to make a tote. The collection is adorable – soft, whimsical and very versatile.
Isn’t the fabric great? If you look closely, the turquoise and white fabric has bunnies on it! I follow Jeni Baker on instagram and know how much she loves her bunny George. Close up the bunnies are perfect and round, but take a few steps away and the design becomes organic and fluid. Great for any project! The bunny fabric comes in 2 colors and are such a fun addition to her collection.
The fabrics I chose to use are: Curious Bunnies Calm / Caught Snowflakes Navy / Fireflies Dark. Note that I didn’t use the Fireflies in the tote.. A great opportunity to sew another project and share later 🙂
I love sewing casual, slouchy bags that have some give. I switched it up this time around and gave the bag more structure than I usually do. I lined the bag with a durable cotton canvas, added Pellon 926 – extra firm sew in stabilizer for the facing and gave the bottom of the bag a stronger platform with Peltex 71F. I like how the bag turned out and will play with various interfacings in my future projects.
I love the mix and match feel with the bunnies and snowflake pattern. Jeni’s collection was “Inspired by the many small wonders in life and invites us to explore the world around us..”
Playful, right?
By adding navy webbing to the straps, I made the bag have a more professional feel. The webbing shows on the exterior and I love how the snowflake pattern peeks out just a tad. An added feature is the extra durability that webbing gives to the straps. Next time, I’ll add some pockets to the outside of the bag and may a closure of some sort.. Piping along the side seam maybe?
I shot these images in Santa Monica on a very sunny and windy day. I wasn’t sure how they would turn how, but the light turned out ok and I’m happy with the end result. Let me know if you would be interested in the pattern.
Make sure to check out Jenni Baker’s new Art Gallery Fabrics collection called Curiosities Collection. Available now! Need more inspiration? Check out her look book – Jeni Baker Curiosities Look Book.
Please note that Art Gallery Fabrics sent me the fabric for this post, but all opinions are my own.
Well, that’s it today. I hope I’ve inspired you to sew something fun.
What a lovely bag! Did you say tutorial? 😀 Can’t wait to hear all about how you’re liking living on the Left Coast. xo
Very cute!! And very jealous of the beachy backdrop
Great bag and great fabrics. A tutorial would be awesome.
Would love the pattern, please. It works very well with the materials – particularly like the blue butterfly fabric.
thanks
Would love the pattern! I’d make the tote in school colors to haul all my teacher stuff!
I would love the pattern. As you said, it’s nice and roomy and great for running around or taking to the beach or a picnic. Sign me up!
Would love to have the pattern. Tote bags of this
size can be used so many different ways!
Would love to have the pattern. Tote bags of this size can be used so many different ways!
I would love the pattern, my daughter wants to make this as a gift for her best friend. It’s beautiful!
Very nice write-up. I definitely love this website.
Continue the good work!
Love the fabrics and the tote bag. This would be perfect for my daughter-in-laws! So I would very much be interested in a pattern for it.
Thank You,
Debbie
I was extremely pleased to find this page. I want to to thank you
for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it
and I have you saved to fav to check out new
things on your blog.
I’m very pleased to read your pages;
I would be interested in a tutorial of this very nice beach bag.
Thank you so much for your blog and your work for us;
Would love to see a pattern or tutorial for this! Great tote!
Do you have a tutorial and pattern somewhere? i got here by clicking on a tutorial link but i can’t find any details. thanks!