A Huge Single Girl Tote Bag

A Super-Sized Zen Zip Tote Bag

This little journey  (HUGE tote bag !) began in   early summer,  when I saw some Instagram photos of blocks being made by my friend Gina, @PartyOfEightOurStory and Party of Eight Our Story blog.   Gina happens to be one of my enablers.... almost everything she makes, I want to make,  (I confess !)  to copy !!
***There just isn't enough time in a day for me  to make all that she makes, and all that my other primary enablers make!!***  

Gina was making  some Free -Wheeling Single Girl blocks .  Go check her gorgeous work  at her Instagram @PartyOfEightOurStory  !!   This quilt pattern  is designed by Denyse Schmidt , DSQuilts ... available {here}. 

I decided to make the block using up a modern charm pack from my stash...
Barcelona  by Zen Chic for Moda.   I liked the way the lime greens pop out when I added a lime green border!

My Single Girl block using a Zen Chic Barcelona charm pack

Now this is a big block, measuring in at about 20 " square finished!  I didn't have any more Barcelona fabric, and wondered what to do with the block.  I liked the Barcelona fabric so much better when it was made up, than when it was laying there as 5 " charm squares!

I decided to feature this bold Single Girl block on the front of a big zippered tote.  
I wanted a tote bag with a  zippered top closure that had lots of pockets.
My solution.... I decided to modify a pattern from a book I have had for awhile...              " Handmade Style" by Anna Graham, of  Noodlehead blog.  
I rounded up my "modern looking" black denim fabric, and some  of my stash DSQuilts fabric that blended so well with Barcelona...  Aunt Edna ( gray with cream dots.)

First, I quilted the Single Girl block, using my walking foot and straight line quilting.

So here is the result of this pattern modification.... My Super-Sized Zen Zip Tote Bag

Super-Sized Zen Zip Tote Bag  by Susie's Sunroom

The Details:

Patterns used:      Free -Wheeling Single Girl blocks  by Denyse Schmidt  (here )
                        and     the Zip Top Tote   from " Handmade Style" by Anna Graham (here)

Tote bag size:   23" tall x 17 " across at bottom and 22" across at top  x 7 " deep !

Top closure:   22 " zipper

Handles:  27 " each

Pockets:   Outer-   back side slip pocket:  12 " tall x 22 " across
             Inner slip pocket - 6" tall x 9 " across    in pieced Barcelona fabric
             Inner zippered pocket -  11 " tall x 15 " across  ( 13" zipper) 

Fabrics:  Barcelona  by Zen Chic for Moda  ( a charm pack)
             Solid Kona Cottons  in lime
            Lining -  gray  Aunt Edna  by DS Quilts
            Denim -   black  bottomweight with striations ( lines)


This is the back of the tote.  I quilted it to provide some more structure.

The back of the tote... features a pieced Barcelona fabric- trimmed outer slip pocket

It looks even bigger in person!!

Seriously,  you could hold at least two cats inside this tote bag! ( Not that that would have a good outcome !!  )

But it would make an excellent weekend trip bag. Or a  carry-on bag for the overhead compartment in an airplane.  

 My sister saw this  tote bag  in person, and told me how awesome it would be for a quilter to take  along to sewing guilds ...  It can hold a full quilt  to show and tell,  a   WIP quilt ,  and still have room for fabric,  rulers , cutting boards and tools.... Or to take along to a quilt show and shop,  to fill up with new fabrics and tools!!

A neutral gray fabric lining.... where the pieced Barcelona slip pocket contrasts!

A side view.....  Can you see that Barcelona trimmed slip pocket on the back?!

I love the black denim with this fabric!!   

After I made my Super-Sized Zen Zip Tote bag,  I remembered that I made a small clutch purse awhile back.... using a pattern by Samantha of Sewing Patterns by Mrs H.  
It features  paper pieced sunset rays, and denim ...

The clutch with Barcelona flap and black denim   made by Susie's Sunroom
Clutch size:  6.5 " tall x 9 " across

I think they just naturally belong together, don't you?

The back pocket of the tote bag can easily hold the sunrise clutch (and more!)....

The clutch  inside flap is  more colorful Barcelona, and the main lining is an orange solid.  There's a pieced Barcelona slip pocket inside  there , too!

Check out my Etsy Shop.... you can find it , and some  more items, available for purchase in there!    {SusiesSunroomShop  on Etsy }

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:     Let's Bee Social @  Sew Fresh Quilts   and

                          Can I Get A Whoop Whoop @  Confessions of a Fabric Addict   and 
                           TGIFF  @ Anja Quilts    and 

                               Finished Or Not Friday  @  Busy Hands Quilting