The Fiesta Tote Bag

The Fiesta Tote Bag


I recently made a super cute tote bag!   I was testing a new  pattern,  called  the "Fiesta Tote",  by  Samantha , of  Sewing Patterns by Mrs H.

The Fiesta Tote Bag
You can buy it HERE

I really love it!!   It has some fun features:    rivets,  and  webbing  for both short handles and a removable strap.   There's an outside zipper pocket, and  inside slip pocket to keep you organized!

Here are the details:    

Pattern:   The Fiesta Tote PDF Pattern  by Sewing Patterns by Mrs H
Size:   W 14" x H 11.5" x D 5"

Fabrics:  Miss Kate     by Bonnie and Camille for Moda

Special components:  Rivets  ,  Webbing,  zippers, magnetic snap. swivel clips. Soft and Stable interfacing

See the back outer  zippered pocket?  I love it!!

The Soft and Stable interfacing gives just the right of stiffness to the tote.

The back side of my Fiesta Tote 

It has both short handles....

The short handles

and you can use the long body strap!

The body strap.   It's removable, too!

There are lots of pockets inside!!

I added a zippered pocket, too.   Because you can never have too many pockets!!

Inside the Fiesta Tote

There's a magnetic snap closure , too.

Inside view

I love the size of this tote.... it can hold a lot , and yet look stylish as a purse.

Amanda's directions are clear and well written. This is a good bag for a beginner sewer.  

Fiesta Tote

I had a lot of fun making this bag!  Since I gave it as a gift, I want to make one for myself this summer!  

Linking up at:    Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts   and

                        Can I Get A Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict  and
                        Let's Bee Social  @ Sew Fresh Quilts   and  
                         Finish It Up Friday  @  Busy Hands Quilts  and
                         TGIFF  @ Devoted Quilter

Mini Swoon

A Mini Swoon Finish

I have grown to love seeing the amazing  projects on the Instagram app. It is so handy to see what is new, using my phone.     Recently, Camille @Thimbleblossoms, 
hosted a SwoonAlong { #SwoonAlong}.  I just  had to join in with everyone!
Besides, Camille has 3 different sizes of her Swoon block that I could make! (available here at Thimbleblossoms )  Oh, and she has a Patchwork Swoon, too!

Some of you may remember that I added 4 sweet regular - sized Swoon blocks to the back of my Clambake quilt......

This is my  very first Swoon block....

My first Swoon Block     ( 24 " )            Love those strawberries from Hello Darling!

My Clambake quilt, with 4 Swoon blocks on the back!!

Sew...since it was a busy time of year, I purchased the Mini Swoon pattern to join in sewing in this Swoon Along!  I thought it would be do-able to make 4 mini 9" blocks.

For fabrics:   I decided to use up the leftover 5" charm squares that I had, from a charm pack of "Miss Kate"  by Bonnie & Camille for Moda.   Win- Win !!

Miss Kate Charms squares plus a bit of  Hello Darling yardage for the binding

I cut out the pieces for all 4 blocks before I started to sew .  I like to do this on small projects.

My muffin tin holds the small pieces... it's a hand-me -down that my mother had from our family

It only took about a week to fit in time to make up my 4 sweet Mini Swoon blocks! ( 8 " each)  The mini quilt comes out to be about 19" x 19".

My favorite block ( winning by a narrow margin !) is the dramatic red and dark blue one!

My Miss Kate Mini Swoon quilt

I think that it was helpful  that I had experience making the biggest Swoon block, before I made my mini blocks.  I am relieved to see my  points and corners where they should be for the most part!

I still had some small pieces left, so I made up a scrappy label.  And I added the triangles to the two top corners, for easily-made holders for a small dowel rod. 

For quilting:  I quilted  straight lines in a 1 " grid, with my trusty Aurifil #2021 thread and my walking foot.  (The batting was scraps of Warm and Natural batting.)

The back 

I like to seeing my Mini Swoon in my kitchen area, leading into my pantry!

                                 

My Mini Swoon quilt

You can see what I am currently making, as well as  past projects, if you follow my Instagram account at @SusiesSunroom .     ( Look at the right margin of my blog page!)

I had fun sewing along with Camille and allof  the other sewists making their own gorgeous Swoon projects!  What inspiration!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:     Let's Bee Social  @ Sew Fresh Quilts      and
                          Building Blocks Tuesday @  Quilter In the Closet    and
                              Midweek Makers  @ Quilt Fabrication  and
                       Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts   and
                        Can I Get a Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict   and
                      Fabric Frenzy Friday @  Fort Worth Fabric Studio   and
                         TGIFF  @ Anja Quilts   and
                         Finished Or Not Friday  @  Busy Hands Quilts