Cats "Scrapin' a-play-que Series"...Scrapin' Summer Tote Phase 3

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well & you're having fun creating your "Scrapin' Summer Tote." You'll be excited to know that in this phase you'll be completing your tote. That's right...a few more steps & you're ready to use your tote for your summer fun activities! I designed the tote for my "Great Niece Tay" & I was thrilled that she like it especially the "cell phone pocket" on the inside. The "cell phone pocket" is my advanced tip but I'm sure glad I took the time to make one. You can see on my last pic is her "modeling" the tote. She is such an amazing young woman & I truly enjoyed making this tote for her. I love it when a handmade gift comes together! I'll be sharing more fun & easy projects all summer long so keep following. :-) Well...let's get started on finishing this tote!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you do...

*Position your "pocket" on front of bag as desired.

*Stitch around sides & bottom of bag but leave top open. Remember to reinforce your seam at your start & stop points. (Reinforcing is back-stitching a few stitches to help strengthen the seam)

Tip...use your original seam as your guide & just sew over that seam around your bag :-) C pic

Advanced tip...If you find the tote to be a bit bulky to maneuver around when sewing your pocket you can remove your "free arm" and/or you can remove a side seam with a "seam ripper" which enables you to have less bulk of the bag while sewing. This may seam to be a bit drastic but I do this method when tailoring garments and sometimes it's worth not having the stress of the bulk while sewing. Just remember to sew back your seam closed when finished. I know this might be one of those O.C.D. steps "Only Cat Does" but it does work :-) C pic

*Advanced Step...make a "inside pocket" to hold your cell phone...sunglasses etc.

Here's all you do...

*Rotary Cut your fabric pieces just like you did in previous step of "front pocket"

Remember to add a 1" for your seam allowance. 

*Sew on inside of tote on opposite side of your front pocket following same steps as your front pocket.

Tip...you can keep this pocket simple or practice some "quilting stitches" on pocket before you sew to bag. This is a "small scale" so learning some new quilting techniques...like meandering or just play with some of your decorative stitches on your machine. This is your design...make it unique & have fun! Remember...if you have an "oopsie" on your pocket while trying new stitches...it's no biggie...this is on the inside and only "you" will "know! Remember no "quilting police" on this blog! #less-stress-quilting! :-)

Well....You did it! You created your own unique "Scrapin' Summer Tote!" I'm so proud of y'all & hope you had fun creating this project. Now have fun this summer & stuff your sunscreen, snacks or whatever you decide in that beautiful "quilted pocket" you designed & created!