Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Lazy Gal

I'm being very lazy tonight! I'm sure that will shock some of you, right?! The only thing I did tonight was to go into the Sweat Shop and cut and cover a piece of sturdy cardboard for the bottom of my tote. Remember the tote I was making a week or so ago?


When I showed it to you, I mentioned I had a couple things I still wanted to do to it. One of those things was to give it a sturdy bottom. I also had some thoughts about side ties and/or a top fastening, but after using the tote at the antique fair and taking it to work today, I decided I much prefer being able to have easier access to the stuff inside and . . . well, I'm being LAZY, remember?! I guess I can add those later if I change my mind. I've gotten quite a few compliments on the tote so far and it's a nice size--big enough to take to an antique fair to hold a totally useless debit card, a limited amount of cash, and a vintage tablecloth plus a few other things at least!

So, shall I tell you more about my incredible bout of laziness? I was thinking about writing a tutorial or free pattern or something along those lines for making the tote, but instead I just went online and found a free pattern that's awfully similar to mine. Would you like the link? I think I can motivate myself enough to do that for you at least. Just click HERE.

If you want to make a tote that looks like mine, for the outside fabric I used a print from the Cherry Picked line by Wilmington fabrics, and although you can't see it in the photo, I used a white with black polka dot fabric inside. And, of course, I used the Cherry Delight pattern for the front section of the tote. The only things I'd really add in case you want to adapt the free pattern to make a tote similar to mine (i.e., using the Cherry Delight pattern for the front) are as follows:

(1) Don't add a backing fabric to the batting and center background as directed in the Cherry Delight pattern--just use the fusible batting as directed in the free pattern. And instead of adding all the applique pieces to the background and then adding the borders as directed in the Cherry Delight pattern, pin the branch in place (so it will be sewn into the inner border seam), add the inner and outer borders, and then fuse that to the batting. (Note, too, the measurements for the border pieces are different from those given in the Cherry Delight pattern--this is because part of the bottom border forms the bottom of the tote.) Once the front section and batting are fused, sew down the branch and add the machine-stitched applique per the Cherry Delight pattern instructions.

(2) About the change in sizes of the border pieces mentioned above--The bottom border piece should measure about 1-1/2" to 2" wider than the top border because part of it will form the bottom of the tote. So, with that in mind, the width of the border pieces should be adjusted as follows--first add the narrow inner borders to the center background as stated in the Cherry Delight pattern. Next, add the outside border pieces to both sides--those pieces should measure 3" wide by 9-1/2" long. Cut the top border strip at 1-1/2" to 2" wide by 16" long, and cut the bottom border strip 3" or 3-1/2" wide by 16" long. Once the borders are complete, check your finished size and trim to measure 15" wide by 12" tall (the size given in the free tote pattern), remembering to keep the bottom border about 1-1/2" to 2" wider than the top border.

(3) Don't add the front pocket mentioned in the free tote pattern directions. Yeah, I know--this may SEEM like an obvious thing, but we sometimes get busy cutting stuff for a pattern and only later realize we've cut something we didn't need because we're modifying the pattern.

Other than those changes, follow the directions in the free tote pattern. And, of course, you can follow the same steps using a preprinted panel or other pieced or appliqued block rather than the Cherry Delight pattern.

* * * * *

Changing subjects a little bit, Wednesday is Administrative Professionals Day--you may recall that it used to be called Secretary's Day. (Of course, that was back when sanitary engineers were just plain garbage men, and police persons were policemen, no matter whether they were actually men or women.) My firm doesn't wait until Wednesday to celebrate--we celebrate all week long. Here's the schedule.


So this morning was breakfast. The table decorations were festive and superb . . .


. . . and the food was wonderful!



Tomorrow we get chair massages. Now with that kind of pampering, a person can be excused for being lazy, can't she? You'll have to excuse me now--it's time for me to be lazy in bed. After all, I must rest up for tomorrow's festivities. Good night!

4 comments:

Sheila said...

Happy AdminPro week! Those "Surprise!" days crack me up... does it make you think they haven't come up with something yet?? Honestly, though, I love the thought that they celebrate all week. Cute bag!!!

Sinta Renee said...

Thanks for the tote info Kim! A girl can always use a new tote... one for every day of the week. But... I don't have Admin. Professionals day on my calendar! Maybe they used white-out! I have to check into this:) Enjoy the massage!

Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery Lady said...

Happy Administrative Assistant day/s. You are an extraordinary person, who does extraordinary things with your time and talents. I can hardly wait to see what is in store on the surprise days.

Your tote is VERY NICE! Thank you for the Tut and link. I want to make one but do not have the time now and am thankful I will know where to find it when I am ready.

I appreciate all that you do and share on your blog!

Anonymous said...

Oooo! Lucky you!