I was into my stash a few weeks ago looking for something and rediscovered this fun cat fabric - cats on the ocean waves with large fish and surf boards!!!!!!!! The fabric is printed in Japan and I really liked the design. I decided to make up a tote bag with some of it!! I worked out the layers for this bag - navy blue for the top and bottom and cat fabric in between. I used some of my fun aqua floral fabric for the inside - a light fabric helps you see what is inside. I trimmed the inside fabric and laid out the fabrics and sewed them into place one at a time QAYG fashion. I was careful to keep everything well aligned and it worked out well. I added wavy lines to quilt the outer fabric to the lining. I made up handles and inserted them at the top between the navy and lining fabric. I sewed them to the lining and then folded over both fabrics and stitched them together from the outside. To finish off the bag neatly I used a technique where you lay the wrong sides together and sew a small seam. Then you flip the wrong sides out and stitch again using a wider seams which incorporates the previous seam allowance inside the seam. Makes for a neat finish inside the bag. I boxed the bottom corners at 3" which gives the bag some structure without too much width. It would be perfect as a library book bag or general tote for the car when you are just buying a few things. It worked out really well!!! NOTE: I have added a little red 3D fabric embellishment to my bag and you can check it out
here. Therese
