With the Fourth of July just around the corner, I decided I absolutely needed a large patriotic fabric bag. You know, something perfect for carrying all the essentials: snacks, projects, water bottles, extra snacks, and probably fabric I don’t actually need to buy but somehow always comes home with me.
For this project, I pulled out one of my favorite designers fabric collections, Sew America by J. Wecker Frisch for Riley Blake Designs. The vintage patriotic imagery in this line is absolutely wonderful, and the panels practically begged to become the focal point of a bag.
The panels were the perfect size and design for this project. Sometimes a fabric collection practically tells you what it wants to become, and this one was shouting, “Make me into a holiday tote!”
Of course, no sewing project would be complete without a little adventure.
Somewhere between my planning stage and my cutting stage, my fabric calculations and reality had a disagreement. Apparently, I was just a bit short on fabric. Rather than admit defeat, I did what quilters do best—I called it a design choice.
I added a large patriotic star to each side of the bag, and honestly, I think the bag ended up looking even better than my original plan.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
The quilting portion went surprisingly smoothly. I found the most perfect shade of blue thread that matched the fabric beautifully. You know those moments when everything comes together exactly as you imagined? This was one of them.
Naturally, the sewing gods couldn’t allow things to go too smoothly.
When I attached the handles to the outside of the bag, I somehow forgot to account for seam allowances. Apparently, my math skills packed up and left the room for a snack break. The handles ended up exactly where they weren’t supposed to be.
Out came the seam ripper.
I sometimes think my seam ripper should be considered a co-designer on most of my projects. It certainly gets enough use.
After fixing the handles, I confidently stitched everything together, turned the bag… and discovered I had sewn my turning opening closed.
Yes.
The very hole that was supposed to let me turn the bag right side out.
So once again, my faithful seam ripper made a dramatic return appearance. At this point, it was getting more sewing time than I was.
Eventually, after a few choice words, several cups of coffee, and some determined persistence, everything finally came together.
The finished bag turned out exactly as I’d hoped. Well… maybe not exactly as I’d planned, but sometimes those are the best projects.
Along the way, I also managed to knock an entire pile of sewing clips onto the floor. They scattered in every direction with impressive speed and efficiency. So if anyone visits my sewing room in stocking feet anytime soon, I recommend signing a liability waiver first.
Despite all the hiccups, the redesigns, the seam ripping, and the clip explosion, I absolutely love this bag. It’s roomy, patriotic, sturdy, and ready for summer adventures.
Sometimes the projects that fight you the hardest end up becoming your favorites.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go pick up approximately 347 sewing clips from under my sewing cabinet. Oh, and I have more of the panels from this line so let’s see what else I can create. Stay tuned…
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