How about a free pattern? Do y'all remember that cute little bag I made out of Olive the Ostrich fat quarters back in the fall? I had every intention of offering the pattern as a free download soon thereafter, but I seem to do everything slower these days. Well friends, here it is! I've also added it to the right sidebar over there under "tutorials and freebies" along with my other free patterns---->
This is a fairly simple design, great for a beginner. Appliquing the raw edge scallops is a great exercise for sewing curves, if you'd like some practice with that. The great thing about the scallops being raw edged is that you don't have to be perfect. You can always throw the bag into the wash after you've sewn it all up to get that ravely look on the edges, which would probably disguise any imperfect stitches. If you don't want the ravely look I suppose you turn under the edge, but that seems like an awful lot of work - I don't have that kind of patience (or time). Another option is to zig-zag the edge. It's your bag, experiment - do as you please!
This is the perfect size for a child. Ava uses the original Olive tote for dance class, but I have a feeling she'll be taking these over as well. Wouldn't one of these be great to stuff with art supplies to give as a gift?
Since I've been playing with these, I'm thinking that I need one for myself, in grown up size. I use a tote everyday to carry all my stuff (lunch, magazine, knitting, etc), why not use a fun one? (I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I'm currently using a very blah Trader Joe's canvas tote) Based on my choices for the samples, clearly, I'm craving some color in my life! Hmmm, now there's an idea...
I have to say, working on this pattern was a little more than just working on a pattern. I feel like it's been a long time since I worked on something fun for the blog, something for you. Yes, I always have projects going on that I blog about, and I thank you for cheering me on and hanging in there with me, but that's all me me me. It's time that I did something for you.
I hope that you enjoy the pattern and put lots of cute scalloped totes out into the world! As always, I'm here if you have any questions. I can't wait to see what y'all come up with!
