Sunday, June 26, 2011

Tote Bags for Teachers

School's out for summer! If you could clue me in on where exactly that whole year went, I'd be most grateful. It seems like only yesterday my little boogaloo was heading off to her first day at preschool!

I had other plans for teacher gifts, but I was forced to admit that this tutorial got the better of me. In my own defense, I persevered through the wallet construction and only gave up once I saw that the actual tote bag was only going to be about 12" by 12" or so. I'd already cut the fabric to make the tote bags and I was so annoyed that I hadn't paid attention to that detail, I just up and quit. Perserverance, thy name is not Felicity. And I'm okay with that!

Here's what I actually did end up making, using an existing shopping bag as a model for making those side gussets.

Ms Cindy's Bag - IKEA home dec on the outside, vintage sheet on the inside:

Miss Cindy's Bag outsideMiss Cindy's Bag inside

Ms. Chris's bag - upcycled IKEA duvet cover outside, quilting cotton inside. I should've interfaced it for stability. Oh well.
Miss Chris's Bag outerMiss Chris's Bag inner

Ms Beverly's bag - quilting cotton inside and out:

Miss Beverly 2

Each bag is approximately 16" tall by 19" wide. Ish. I wasn't very exact in my measurements. Now that those duties are discharged, I am turning to other duties: my bee blocks. Canada Post's postal strike totally sapped my mojo and I'm really behind on one block and nearly behind on a few more.

Linking up again to Sew Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations, Manic Monday at Sew Happy Geek, and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story (see the buttons on my sidebar over there on the right).

13 comments:

  1. as a (former) teacher, I can say I'd be quite pleased with those bags! :)

    They're cute!

    (that other tutorial scares me). ;)

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  2. Okay, your first line had me singing that song, School's out for summer, and now I probably won't be able to get it OUT of my head! Argh to the postal strike! But your bags are wonderful.

    Note to Fresno City Council: PLEASE put an IKEA downtown. It would solve your downtown revitalization problem. Really. You're welcome.

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  3. Love Ms Cindy's bag. I have seen that fabric at Ikea before. It makes a perfect bag.

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  4. I love Ms Chris' bag! I love the surprise lining. They are going to be so happy to receive these!

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  5. So cute! I particularly love the gray Ikea bag!

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  6. Lucky teachers! Love the bags, and I know the teachers will too!

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  7. Love these! The IKEA print is great and I love how you combined it with a vintage sheet.

    Jennifer :)

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  8. These rock Felicity! I love the IKEA and vintage sheet combo! Thanks for linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday and have a great week!

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  9. these bags are awesome. i love the gray and yellow!

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  10. These are so great! I'm such a lame-o momma and didn't make any gifts this year. Just threw my cash into the pot with the other parents!

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  11. I love, love, love the grey with the yellow lining. They are all gorgeous but that one is the one I would pick if I could pick on for me.

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  12. I would love to be one of your kids teachers!

    sewextreme.blogspot.com

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