About a month ago I bought a copy of Krista Hennebury’s book, Make It, Take It. It’s a great sewing book with 16 pretty and useful projects to sew for yourself or for others.
There are so many lovely people in the online quilting world, and Krista is one of them. I was lucky enough to meet up with her family for a cuppa in real life several years ago in France. One of these days I’m going to get over to the other side of the world to attend one of her quilting retreats. Don’t ask me how, but I’ll figure it out!
As I looked through the book a lot of projects jumped out at me and demanded my attention. I decided on Ayumi’s Big Patchwork Tote first up (there’s a Little Patchwork Tote, too, if that’s more your style). My daughter is often at gymnastics lessons or having playdates with friends and needed a bag of her own.
You could have hours of fun choosing the fabric for this bag. I was glad to know without a doubt what my daughter would want (yellow). This let me focus on a smaller section of my stash. I ended up with some Cotton and Steel, Lotta Jansdotter, Timeless Treasures and Joel Dewberry in my mix.
I used a stiff interfacing rather than fusible fleece as that’s what I found when I opened the Magical Cupboard of Crap in our study. I’m interested to see how it holds up to day-to-day use. I think fusible fleece might have been a better choice for a 9 year old, but we’ll see!
I’m not much of a bag maker but I’m happy to report I could follow all of Ayumi’s directions and didn’t make any mistakes. (There has been a corrections sheet issued for this project for a small error in the book – you can find that here.)
I’m very happy with how the Big Patchwork Tote turned out. It’s bright, cheerful and roomy. I know it will be well used and well loved.
What more can I ask?
Buy your own copy of the book to get this and many other beautiful patterns. It’s a lovely book.
Linking up with Sew Can She and Finish it Up Friday.
I would love to buy the book But can’t find where to get ?.
Hi Barb,
There should be info on the book and where to purchase on the author’s blog https://poppyprintcreates.blogspot.com/
Cheers,
Kirsty
Your comment “that’s what I found when I opened the Magical Cupboard of Crap” made me laugh out loud … thanks. Your link to the correction sheet does not work. Is there somewhere else this can be found?
Thank you for sharing this project. I have my fabric and book so now I’m ready to go!
Hi Debbie, the link is working for me – not sure what’s going on there? If it’s still not working for you, you can google Make it Take it Martingale and it will take you to the publisher’s page on the book. If you scroll to the bottom you’ll find a link to “corrections available” and that will take you to the same place. Cheers!
I love this bag but the best sentence in your blog is “that’s what I found when I opened the Magical Cupboard of Crap”… really made me chuckle… we all have one, but yours has the best name!
This is a great version of the tote. I think I’m going to have to buy this book.
The tote for your daughter turned out great! I love the fabrics you chose to make it with.
Definitely lovely! Great fabrics and colours!
Love it Kirsty, fab colours + fabrics, it’s a very happy looking bag. I met Krista at QuiltCon, and bought her great book over there – I didn’t realise you had met her in France! I’d so love to go to one of her retreats one day too – some way somehow. Cat
This looks fabulous!I love the fabric choices you made, the texture combination is perect!
It looks like it might be a good pattern to try that Soft ad Stable foam on…hmmm, yet another project for me! Lol
Love the tote, perfect fabric for a lover of yellow. The Magical Cupboard of Crap, bwah ha ha, I have one of those too, although I think it’s magical properties are limited.
Just gorgeous Kirsty! I love the classic yellow and grey colour scheme you have chosen! I saw some bag interfacing at the AQC on the weekend. Now I am sorry I didn’t buy any- I think it would be perfect for this structured type of bag!
Catching up on your blog and lovely new website while I have my lunch just like I used to when we were in France. Love being back in a close-ish time zone to you again and seeing your posts in real time! Bag is gorgeous – cannot believe the recipient is nine already!