About 6 weeks ago Paula and I meet at Scrapbook Island in San Jose, California. She was teaching some classes there and I went to help and she brought me the soft, beautiful, vintage fabrics for me to make Quilt Market samples…I couldn't wait to get home and start sewing.
Now to get inspired and make some projects to showcase the fabrics. So...inspirations can come from many places and Pinterest is a great place to see lots of inspiration fast! So I opened a Pinterest account and started pining. Now I'm totally addicting! My Pinterest is "CaliArtGirl" "Richele Christensen" if you want to see what i've been pinning. This tote was inspired from a few places, Pinterest and a photo Paula Cheney sent me that Tim had liked. So I was off and sewing.
Eclectic Elements Fabric Project 2…
A deconstructed tote using fabric from both collections and a little osnaburg fabric. I sewed random strips together and even some raw seems out. It was fun sewing with no real plan and measurements.
The strap is a leather belt Paula picked up at Goodwill then I cut it in half lengthwise with a rotary cutter. I was amazed at how easy it was to cut. I went to Home Depot and found a snap clip then the local shoe cobbler sewed it onto the strap for a small fee.
Totally in love with the fabric lining, it's one of the new ones.
I added some hand stitching using embroidery floss. Also fraying edges of the fabric is a fun.
Eclectic Elements fabric has great details to key up on like the number 2.
Here is how the snap clip attaches to the tote.
This is the inspiration for the tote from Pinterest.
This is the piecing inspiration.
Love how this tote came out I actually had a hard time sending it off!
Thanks for all the nice comments, I love hearing from you!
Have a great week!
Richele
 |  |  |  |
Richelle: make these totes to sell!! I WANT ONE and cannot sew worth a hill of beans!! I JUST LOVE it!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a Fabulous tote bag, Richele! I love the different stitching that you've used and that belt! Hey, that could have been one of my belts from the 80's!! LOL :) I hope you share more of your creations :) XOXO-S
ReplyDeleteFabulous tote Richele. This would be my dream come true. Just to have access to those wonderful fabrics. I am doing cushions at the moment from the first edition. Hugs from Scotland. Rita xxxxx
ReplyDeleteThat tote is awesome! Love all the little fabric details and the stitching!
ReplyDeleteThe tote that you took inspiration from is lovely but the one you created is stunning and such great use of that old belt too! Love this - a lot. I want to make a Dyan Reaveley type dress from the musical note fabric.... Anne x
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous Richelle, and I agree with Anne, yours is way better than the Pinteest one you took inspiration from. But then of course those fabrics are totally amazing (just too bad I can't sew for peanuts). I really love the pale colour scheme you used and the lining looks amazing, as does the strap!
ReplyDeleteTote-ally love this!
ReplyDeleteThis is so gorgeous !! Wish the fabrics were available in Singapore *booo-hoo*, they just cost too much to ship.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! So gorgeous. And the belt strap is a really clever idea
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love! Will use for inspiration using my recycled denim!
ReplyDeletelove this bag!! SO amazing in person Richele.
ReplyDeletepaula
xx
Richele, You are such a great seamstress! That tote is gorgeous. I am so glad Tim has provided us with another wonderful creative medium and his choice of fabric prints are out of this world fabulous. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYour tote is beautiful! What a great way to showcase all of the different fabrics. I've been trying to think of the perfect way to use my TH fabric…a summer tote is perfect - thanks for the inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteThis tote is soooo cute!!!
ReplyDeleteI just finished browsing through all your quilt market projects, Richele, and omgosh are they ever gorgeous! Love, love every single one!
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas! We pinned them on our Pinterest Board, Supply Junkies!
ReplyDelete