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Friday, July 01, 2016

a tinker tote

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

It seems like I'm finally getting around to projects that I've wanted to make for years, which feels great! This week I tackled a tinker tote. The project is included in my lovely friend Tara's Quilt-As-You-Go Patchwork Bags class on Craftsy. The bag is fairly involved, but the results are so worth it! Tara's class is excellent. I can't recommend it enough!
I added the mug in this photo for scale. This bag is big and roomy. I love it! Tara designed the pattern to use a quilt-as-you-go method, but I wanted to change things up and make one using my favorite scrap size of all time: 2 1/2" squares. I pieced the patchwork panels and then quilted them. I had a few problems with the quilting distorting, but after ripping things out a few times, I decided that finished is better than perfect! I do love the squares! I certainly want to try making one using quilt as you go method next. Of course!
I added 4 slip pockets to the interior and rather than adding a flap, I installed a magnetic snap to the lining.
Red polka dot binding was the natural choice for finishing things off. I used denim that I had on hand for the bottom, so it shouldn't show dirt very fast and it should be durable. I love the combination of all the fabrics. It's so bright and happy!
I'm quite pleased with my finish for the week! It is scrap project # 147!

Now, it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thank you, as always, for joining me for finish it up Friday! For those of you in the States, have a safe and great holiday weekend!


33 comments:

  1. That tote is so adorable!!! My daughter just walked by my computer and asked if I would make one for her ;) Instant love!

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  2. The bag is gorgeous - just perfect with all your little squares. Great idea to use a denim bottom.

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  3. What a lovely, happy-looking tote! Sure to be very useful!

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  4. Love this bag - love the curved sides on it. Beautiful with the denim and red binding added to the bright fabric patchwork.

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  5. love, love the bag so much!!

    you inspire me!!

    brooke@sillymamaquilts.com

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  6. Your tote bag is adorable, Amanda! When I make something quilted, I quilt my yardage first and then cut out the pieces so that quilting distortion doesn't affect the size or shape of my pieces. I don't know what order you did things in, but I don't see any distortion or issues whatsoever in the finished bag. Do you think that pattern could be adapted for a laptop bag? I can't find one that I like and the padded sleeve that came with my laptop has no handles -- really dumb, right? All I need is to drop my laptop in the parking lot when I'm getting out of the car!

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  7. Love the bag! Using denim on the bottom is genius (have to steal that idea right away).

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  8. Super cute in every way!

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  9. Love it! Smart to add the pockets to the inside.,

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  10. I love your bag! I need another purse like a need a hole in my head, but I may have to make one of those myself! Congratulations on another great scrap project....

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  11. This is great! You make it look easy!

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  12. Love it. Pretty nice!

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  13. Good for you! Beautiful finish.
    Those Craftsy classes are great aren't they?
    I'm taking your class, 'Colorful Scrap Quilting.' It's great because I can work at my own rate. Your directions are easy to follow, thank you.

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  14. This is great! You make it look easy!

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  15. Adorable bag! Great idea to use denim on the bottom, very practical and cute too!

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  16. I'd love to make one of these bags for my girls ... will check out the Craftsy link :)

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  17. I took Tara's class and made a Tinker Tote too - both the class and tote were excellent!

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  18. I LOVE your Tinker Tote! The patchwork, the denim, the roomy bag design. Makes me want to make one now, too!!! Thank you again for Finish It Up Friday: it's SUCH great motivation to keep at least a little progress happening, so those finishes keep coming!

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  19. thats such a lovely cheery bag - I love the lining as well as the squares - a perfect finish for summer!

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  20. That bag is totally you! From the binding to the bottom your scrappy polka dot loving self is expressed. I love it.

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  21. Another awesome scrappy finish...love, love love it!!!

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  22. Love your idea of sturdy denim for the bottom and plan to do the same on my next bag!

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  23. The patchwork squares are so lively and bright, and the denim bottom is a great idea. And who doesn't love a polka dot binding? Cute in every way!

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  24. Super cute bag! I love it. Is it just me, or does anyone else get a thrill when they find a fabric they have in a project someone else made? I spied a piece of Sanibel by Heather Peterson in the 3rd photo!. I just love that line.
    Thanks for sharing your projects and keeping me motivated to keep plugging away on mine.

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  25. Love your little patchwork squares. They make this bag extra special!

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  26. What a great bag! 2 1/2" squares are my favorite, too.

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  27. It's so vibrant! The snap and no flap is brilliant! 💗💗

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  28. I love love love the bag!!

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  29. Its so pretty and bright and happy! Love it! Dee x

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  30. What a bright and fun tote! Love the combination of the scrappy squares and the denim. Of course the red dotty binding is so flirty. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Amanda Jean. And a wonderful long weekend to you and your family. Happy 4th!!!

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