Quick Project and Gift

February 9, 2013 by adaisygarden

I needed a quick project for a gift I wanted to make for my friend’s little girl (she’s 8 yrs old)– (the little girl, …not my friend.)

She likes bright, cheery colors, so when I found this fabric in my stash, I knew it was the one for her.

Now… what to make for her?…. Hmmmm….

She loves to read and also color, write, paint… (she’s very creative)…

So I thought she’d enjoy a little tote bag of her own to carry these small items.

I didn’t have heavy weight interfacing, so I used canvas (my Dad’s an upholsterer so I get remnants for free!) as the lining.
It worked great and gave the tote bag a real store-bought feel because of the extra sturdiness. Note: please use a heavy weight needle in your sewing machine (same you’d use for denim) in order to sew all these layers without a problem.

I layered the lining, canvas, and outside fabric, then cut the same size “square” from each bottom corner
(you can tell my square is not “square”, but that’s ok, it still turned out fine.) 🙂
The important thing is that both corner cuts are the same.

I made the tote bag about 10 inches long by 8 inches wide… just right for a little girl.

I cut a pocket for the inside (to hold pencils, markers, little writing pads…

For the straps, I used the colorful fabric (and canvas inside for weight), and a piece of satin ribbon…

I ironed the straps so that it would be easy to sew…

Then I sewed the satin ribbon as close to the edge of the ribbon as possible…

It looked nice on the outside…

For the closure, I hot-glued 3 buttons together (the large red, the orange, and the blue) to match the fabric.
I used a half-inch wide ribbon to wrap around the button and keep all the goodies inside the tote bag.

Little Erika loved it!

…and it was fun to make!

I also made her a small journal cover (out of the same fabric) to tuck into her tote bag.
She’s happily being creative with her new little gifts.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Daisy

Posted in Gifts, Sewing | Tagged Gifts, Sewing | 32 Comments

32 Responses

on February 9, 2013 at 7:47 am | Reply Jayne

That is so cute!
- on February 9, 2013 at 3:32 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Thanks! 🙂 It’s fun to make these little projects. They are quick and relatively simple, so it’s done in no time.
on February 9, 2013 at 8:04 am | Reply quilt32

I’m guessing the tote bag was one of her favorite gifts. Thank you for sharing how you constructed it.
Lillian
lillianscupboard.wordpress.com
- on February 9, 2013 at 3:25 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Her Mom told me she’s been enjoying it. 🙂 It’s so nice when you know they liked the gift.
on February 9, 2013 at 9:32 am | Reply alphabetstory

All the details…really cute!
- on February 9, 2013 at 3:31 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  I left some stuff out but I got so busy with the sewing that I forgot to take pictures of some of the steps! I’ll do better next time.
on February 9, 2013 at 10:04 am | Reply thejoyofcaking

The tote is adorable. I can’t imagine any little girl (or big girl for that matter) that wouldn’t love one of those. Great way of using ups the bits of canvas too. I really wish I was more skilled at sewing. I made curtains for my camper last year and that was really stretching my patience – but I DID IT!
- on February 9, 2013 at 3:27 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Good for you!! One thing I can say for sure… the more you sew, the better you get at it. When I first started I didn’t know anything, and slowly (and with a lot of patience) I’ve been learning as I make one project at a time.
on February 9, 2013 at 10:58 am | Reply mtetar

Pretty mixed colors, and fabrics for a beautiful Tote Bag Project. Mtetar
- on February 9, 2013 at 3:28 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Little Erika thought the colors were just right for her! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
  - on February 9, 2013 at 8:49 pm mtetar
    
    You’re always welcome. Have a Blessed Weekend. Mtetar
on February 9, 2013 at 11:04 am | Reply Allison

Oh, that is SO adorable!
- on February 9, 2013 at 3:29 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Thanks so much! …and thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
on February 9, 2013 at 4:41 pm | Reply Debbie

Thank you for sharing this, Daisy! I loved it and want to make more gifts to give. You inspire me! God bless!
- on February 9, 2013 at 7:49 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Ah, that’s so encouraging! Thank you and have a blessed Sunday! 🙂
on February 9, 2013 at 6:16 pm | Reply mrsmurfinscountrylife

I love the way you added the ribbon to the handle! I am going to try that. Thanks for the tip!
- on February 9, 2013 at 7:55 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  So glad you enjoyed it! The ribbon could be a contrasting color for fun. 🙂
on February 9, 2013 at 6:21 pm | Reply Curls & Q

Q – LOVE this! We’re on a stash busting theme this year so this is a perfect project!
- on February 9, 2013 at 8:19 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Yes, that’s a great idea for small projects like this. Making room for more fabric? 🙂
  - on February 9, 2013 at 9:01 pm Curls & Q
    
    Q – Um, I could open my own fabric store! LOL! No more until I make a HUGE dent in what I have. 😎 Really love looking at your site!
  - on February 9, 2013 at 10:01 pm adaisygarden
    
    Ah, thank you so much for your very kind comment!
on February 9, 2013 at 9:32 pm | Reply stirandstitch

more proof that hand-made gifts are brilliant! your bag is lovely 🙂
- on February 9, 2013 at 10:00 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Thank you! I agree with you, hand-made gifts are the best.
on February 10, 2013 at 2:01 am | Reply Rhonda Sittig

Love this–so bright and cheerful. I have a new sewing machine my son gave me and I’m a failure at using it– I think I need lessons– would love to make bags like these!
- on February 10, 2013 at 9:01 am | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Yes, projects like these are very simple and a great way to learn new “skills” a little step at a time. When I first started sewing I didn’t know very much… by reading easy patterns and projects you can basically teach yourself to sew. Now on youtube.com there are so many tutorial videos, you can learn any sewing skill (or other crafts) there is. Go for it and Have fun! 🙂
on February 10, 2013 at 7:35 pm | Reply greenlightlady

Daisy, this tote is cheerfully adorable!! I love the added touch of the triple button closure too.

Blessings ~ Wendy
- on February 10, 2013 at 9:02 pm | Reply adaisygarden
  
  Thanks, Wendy! Buttons are a fun detail to add to different projects and I like using the ones in my old jar 🙂
on February 10, 2013 at 9:35 pm | Reply barbara woods

i found your blog on sew many ways
on February 13, 2013 at 12:22 am | Reply colouryourdream

Gorgeous bag!
on February 16, 2013 at 5:57 am | Reply emeraldogzz

This is absolutely gorgeous. I love your style and creativity (been looking around your blog). I’ll check up often
on February 22, 2013 at 11:00 am | Reply minibinoy

Beautiful bag!
on February 24, 2013 at 10:17 am | Reply EmilyAnn Frances

Thank you for liking my blog! I’m impressed with the totebag. The colors and butterflies are very appealing to a little girl.

EmilyAnn Frances May
Josie’s Attic: http://josiesattic.wordpress.com/