Hourglass blocks: Travel tote & messenger bag

 ::: Hourglass Block::: { Travel Tote}

plus TOVA top # 6

 { Time to go!}

 { The tote's depth is deep}

{ simple compartments}

 { handle folding}

 { Easier for hands to hold the tote}

{drawstring closure for the tote}

{ Simple straight line quilting by sewing machine}

Sew many w.i.p. projects have completed since last few weeks. Over the weekending, I have focused on finishing the travel tote and S' messenger bag and two Tova tops.  Today I break the post into two sections, so I can chat about each project in details with you.

The { hourglass blocks travel tote} is made with varies prints that I have obsessed  loved; Sweet and modern and a little of retro colors. Some liberty lifestyle prints, old new 30's print by Lecien.  Suzuko Koseki prints, Architecture prints and most of fabric are found {here}, {here}, and {here} and [here}, too. These fabric shops are excellent in many way. I am into sweet berry prints lately, it must be spring...

In the past I made an { hourglass block patchwork handbag}. I drew all the lines on the fabric center. The fabric was dark, so it was challenge to make the line seen with pencil marking. Then I tried { hourglass block without marking} method. It is similar to the {double wedding ring quilt} that I made few years ago. Yes, washi tape and masking tape are quilters best friends. I use masking tape to secure the quilt backing on the floor, so it would lay flat without much shifting and wrinkle.

This travel tote is rather larger than { patchwork tote} I made awhile back. For traveling, I added the drawstring style for the closure, so it would keep some privacy.  You can find lining drawing style bag method in {Ayumi}'s new book { Patchwork,  Please}. Only I alter it with added additional lining for the top drawstring.  The only part that is unsatisfying for myself is I might have made the top pieces shorter by 2". 

For the handle part: for sure it took very long time to look for the right fabric for it! Something fun and something not too dark not too busy, I went with Suzuko Koseki's print to match S' messenger bag. I chose green. It turns out very simple and stands out from all the smaller prints that used in the front and back tote bag panels.  How do you make your handle for totes? I have fall in love with the style that shown from above image. It is so much easier for hands to hold the bag.

For the interior of the tote, It is fully lined with light weight fusible interfacing. Only have two compartments for phone, pens, and added small D ring for chain up the keys.  I always look for phone, pens, and keys. and with simple compartments help out this organization part. I have found myself not very needed the inner zippered compartment, so didn't add the inner zippered compartment for this tote.

Another {Tova top} is finished! It is made with {this print} and very comfortable in wear and it matches S' Tova top. For this Tova top, the sleeves cuffs were not added, so that leave much room in the elbow area.

::: Hourglass Block::: {Messenger bag} 

Plus TOVA top #3

  { Frame pouch for {Elnora} who spoiled S way much!}

{Zippered pencil pouch from {Kerry} who is too sweet always think of her}

The messenger bag for S is so fun to make, but between the w.i.p. time there were many changes and alternations made. As S grow a little older, her ideas are as important as I sew for her. She has ideas what she like to wear, what colors she likes, why is this print and not that print.  She almost designed this messenger bag for herself. S asked for privacy, so I talked about what tape of closure we could do for the bag; zippered,  Velcro，Loop button with elastic, drawstring style.. etc. But she asked if there's something like { this tote} I made for her. So we went for magnet closure which works out for perfect for her needs. 

Then she ask the strap style like her {Ukelele}. I had sewn the straps on before she came home from school, when she came home and tried it on and the strap was too long for her, so I added rectangle ring hardware to make the strap adjustable for her, but the hardware is much bigger than the strap width. It was the most closed size we could find near by. 

For the interior, the lining was used linen and cotton weight fabric, so it is a heavier weight fabric, so not need lining with interfacing. Interior of the bag added two compartments for S' {personal items}. As we travel oversea or flight domestic, I always have a small card of contact information, just in case something unexpected happen. 

For S' tova top:  Armholes are most challenging in alter patterns from adult wear to kid wear. I have always having hard time whenever I try to re-size the pattern. For the new Tova top, I raised the armholes by 1.5" higher and that made so much comfortable for S to lift her arms.  The top length is longer, so S can simple wear her summer leggings and have a little time to grow out of this outfit.

It has been fun to preparing the trip and getting anxious about it!  I hope to return {1/4" mark} for another post before our internet server goes down this coming weekending . There is a new {flickr group} for some scrap inspiration if you are so mad about your scraps, come join!

 If we didn't make it back here.. 
{Ciao} for now! 

xxc