Pack 'N Go Tote - A Fresh Fabric Treat

[sew].

Hey sewing peeps! Do you ever feel a little quilty? As in, feel like making something quilty? I used to quilt a lot, back when my oldest was just my baby. Nothing too fancy or intricate, but good fun stuff. In those early parenting years, one weekend a month, my mom and dad would take Brittany to the farm and spoil her rotten, giving Tom and I a couple of days to ourselves. And I would sew.

The past few years, I've been more into garments than quilts, but I recently found this delightful book at the library. It renewed my quilty love. And I just happened to have a jelly roll at home. (Jelly roll = strips pre-cut 2 1/2" wide all from a coordinating fabric line). This is what happened:

Backview:

The bag is essentially a big rectangle with outer pockets made using the quilt-as-you-go method. To this I added an inner zip pocket using the tutorial at U-Handbag by Lisa Lam:

I also wanted a place for my MacAir so I added a padded pocket right into the interior seams. I elasticized the top, and quilted the pocket to give it shape and structure. I basically cut the pocket an inch bigger all around, plus added enough on top to make a casing for 1/2" elastic. I placed the pocket a couple inches down from the top of the bag. I aligned all raw edges and sewed the pocket to the front lining piece, mitering the bottom corners and keeping them free when I basted it together. The whole padded pocket was inspired by Nicole's cinch bag from the SewMamaSew challenge. And of course, its lined in Amy Butler.

This would easily fit a small laptop, iPad, or a handy dandy kindle: 

Other notes to this pattern. I interfaced everything, including the lining. I added Pellon in the sides and bottom to give it a little more structure, as well as the handles. I used quilting cotton everywhere except for the exterior bag pieces - they are out of canvas leftover from this bag. 

All packed up for vacation. Very roomy!

I will definitely be making this bag again! I'm totally in love with it. Maybe you want to give it a try too? I say, go for it!!

Reading this week, well, I read The Giver by Lois Lowry. Its a very quick read. Its thought-provoking. Some parts are uncomfortable. Its controversial according to many. But there is so much food for discussion that we are reading it aloud to the big kids while here on vacation. 

As always, I'll link up with Elizabeth if she posts a needle and thREAD today, and in the meantime, God bless all your jelly rolls :).

Adding that link to needle and thREAD. Go check out what others are sewing and reading! xo