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So, there’s a book tote tutorial now…

Library Book Tote, an eBook tutorial from Polka Dot Cottage


Library Book Tote, an eBook tutorial from Polka Dot Cottage

Library Book Tote, an eBook tutorial from Polka Dot Cottage

Library Book Tote, an eBook tutorial from Polka Dot Cottage

Library Book Tote, an eBook tutorial from Polka Dot Cottage

My interest in sewing is subject to fits and starts, and I can go for months and months without doing much of anything notable on the machine. I’m not sure when it began, but I seem to be back on the sewing wagon. That makes me happy (although, if my dining room could talk, it would be most displeased about the proliferation of fabrics piling up on and around the table right now…)

Inspiration struck recently, when I wanted a project that made use of a small piece of special fabric. I liked the idea of a tote, but I wanted to be able to make it with less than a fat quarter (18″ x 22″) of fabric. Of course, a bag made with just a fat quarter would be the teeniest of bags, and not particularly useful.

So, the idea of padding it out with linen came to me. I’m no stranger to pairing pretty patterned prints with natural linen, but this is the first time I thought to do it with the dyed stuff. I really love the effect!

I can’t stop thinking about more fabric combinations: natural (undyed) linen with a soft pink paisley? Natural linen with some masculine stripes? Or, oooh! how about a navy blue linen paired with orange gingham? Gray linen with a red+white polka dot print? Oh, man, I may be unstoppable…

These totes are the perfect width to handle craft books, so if you are like me, and find yourself putting all of the latest knitting and crochet books on reserve at the library, you might enjoy making one of these in which to carry your spoils back and forth.

The tutorial shows you how to make a 10″x15″ tote with a 28-inch handle (14-inch drop) as shown, but also explains how you would calculate the fabric requirements for any other size you might like. I’m seriously considering making one with a cross-body strap for carrying around my android tablet. And another for my laptop perhaps.

If you’d like to purchase the tutorial (or would like more specific details about it) please visit the product page: Library Book Tote

P.S. the tutorial is just in PDF form at the moment, but sometime this week, I’ll convert it to EPUB and MOBI for those of you with e-readers.

P.P.S. if you buy this tutorial, I hope you’ll consider reviewing it and entering the contest!

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