Hello Friend!!

Happy New Year! I hope your new year is off to a great start with many fun sewing projects to look forward to this year.

I sewed again over my break, and I’m excited to share with you what I made…

Have you seen the new All the Things Tote by Kait at Knot & Thread??? Kait released the pattern in December. Kait’s the one who also did the Patchwork Duffle pattern for the duffle bag that I just made, click on that link to check out my bag.

The All the Things Tote pattern comes with three different sizes to choose from, I made the medium or 16” size. As you can see in the pictures below, it’s perfect size for my english paper piecing project.

If you’re new to bag making, this is a great place to start!! Kait knows how to create well written beautiful patterns.

When I saw the white floral, I knew I wanted to use it for this bag, but if I used the white on the bottom it would definitely get dirty. That’s when I had the thought to piece the body of the tote and pocket fronts. I cut the raspberry dashed fabric at 1.5”, the light weight denim which I used for the base at 17” and then the white floral pieces at 8” or 9” each. Plan on the fabric shrinking some when it’s pieced at quilted. For the pocket panels, I made them the same size as the side panel which is behind the pocket, so I could trim the pocket down to line up with the stripe on the fabric for the main part of the tote. To line them up, I laid the fabric for the bag flat, then laid the side panel on top…lining up the binding edges. Then I placed the pocket front on top of the size panel. I then shifted the pocket front down to line up the stripe with the stripe on the bag, then I marked the pocket front along the bottom to trim off the excess that hangs over the side panel. Then I trimmed the top of the pocket front to the size indicated in the pattern. Then I attached the binding across the top edge of the pocket front. Next I sew the side panel and pocket together, as indicated in the pattern.

I got the floral, teal, and raspberry fabrics from Heartfully Handmade …she’s closing her shop and has some great deals, go check it out and get yourself some beautiful fabrics. The floral is Whimsical Romance by Keera Job Design Studio for Riley Blake. The raspberry dash fabric is by Cotton + Steel and is their Stitch and Repeat basics print. The teal fabric is Bee Cross Stitch by Lori Holt from Riley Blake. Heartfully Heandmade has some of the floral and raspberry dash in stock, when she’s out you’ll have to search for them in another shop.

I got the Art Gallery Denim, which I used on the bottom from my mom and aunt’s online shop Sisters and Quilters. They have such a beautiful selection of fabrics to choose from.

My “handmade by Leisha Kaye” label was made by Custom Labels 4 U. I love them, and put them in the binding of each of my quilts and bags.

I decided to use my On Point digital quilting design to quilt it. It’s classic and would look beautiful with the floral. On Point is available in my shop.

I love the pops of color together!!!

I used a Natural White Omni thread from Superior Threads to quilt it…which is my favorite white.

I got the 1.5” Poly Pro Strapping and Base Stabilizer from Kait’s shop. When you go get the pattern, be sure to pick them up. She also sells the Soft and Stable.

When I make bags I prefer to use Soft and Stable over batting. Sewing with the foam makes sewing those bulky seams a breeze. It’s pretty amazing stuff. I got it from my mom and aunt’s shop. When you open up the Soft and Stable there will be lines from the folds, no worries…they iron right out. I use a dry iron on cotton setting, the folds come right out. If you’d like to, you can spray it with water as you iron.

As you can see, I already know what I’m using my All the Things Tote for…my hexie flower quilt. The perfect tote to take “all the things” I’ll need when I go sew with my friends.

My Orla Kiely train case fits perfectly inside. The train case I found at target over 7 years ago, and I haven’t seen one like it in quite a few years.