This weekend's craft took a few weeks of planning. I'd run across a quick-and-easy tote making tutorial on Pinterest several weeks ago, and wanted to figure out a way to make it mine. After a few minutes of thought, I decided to customize a fabric for the tote, and thus created the Raushel Family Tote Bag!
Creating the fabric was really fun. I used my tablet and Microsoft's Fresh Paint application to draw out pictures of Lola, Pepper, my husband and I. At first I thought I'd stop at just Lola and Pepper, but I started having fun with the doodles, so I figured I might as well continue.
Creating the fabric was really fun. I used my tablet and Microsoft's Fresh Paint application to draw out pictures of Lola, Pepper, my husband and I. At first I thought I'd stop at just Lola and Pepper, but I started having fun with the doodles, so I figured I might as well continue.
For the process of getting my design onto the fabric, I used Spoonflower. At their site, you can design custom fabric, wallpaper, or gift wrap simply by uploading your design through their easy upload tool. I'd been itching to try out the site since I'd heard of it several years ago, but didn't have a compelling enough reason to justify the price - this tote bag fixed that! The fabric was delivered much quicker than I thought it'd be - I didn't pay extra for expedited shipping, and I still received the fabric within a week of ordering!
I followed Purl Soho's tutorial The Twenty Minute Tote for the pattern of the bag. Let me just begin by saying - this is the second time I've used my sewing machine - ever! The first time by myself. I am not good at sewing crafts, so I'm glad you guys can't see too much of the stitch detail in this thing. BUT - it was so easy! The step-by-step instructions were so easy to follow, and it really didn't take much time at all to complete. I even busted out my dusty ironing machine so that the bag was nice and smooth.
This weekend's craft is an easy distraction and in the end you have something useful and fun! I plan to use my tote at the grocery store - reusable bags are hip, you know!
What pattern would you use on your tote?
I'm got a craft for next week that your puppies will love - until next time!
Naomi
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