Yes! I’m going to Denver Colorado on Wednesday to visit my daughter, Becca. My son, Seth, is going with me, and Fabgrandpa is staying home to take care of the kitties. I decided to make myself a new tote bag to take with me on the trip.
I found a free download pattern at Swoon Sewing Patterns. The Ethel Bag was exactly what I was looking for. I did make a couple of changes to my bag: I increased the length of the handles by six inches, because I like a shoulder bag. I added a loop and button closure because this is an open bag, and I wanted a closure since I would be travelling with the bag. I also added Pellon 70 stiff interfacing because I like a really substantial bag. Other than those changes, the bag is cut to the pattern instructions.
The bag has two pockets on the outside, and two pockets on the inside. The extra stiff interfacing makes this bag stand up by itself, which I like. The longer handles give this bag a drop that I like, and allow me to wear it as a cross body bag if I choose to. It’s large enough to hold all the necessities, including my prescription medications, my insulin and diabetes supplies, wet wipes, lip balm, a snack or two, and my iPad, without being too large to fit under the seat in front of me on the plane.
I think I did a good job on this bag, and finished it up in two days. If you make according to the pattern instructions, you can probably finish one in an afternoon. What do you think of my version of the bag?
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
Sewing..one thing I wish I learned how to do! But, I never did and now when I try, it’s usually a disaster!
This is a super cute tote bag!