Two Poolside Totes.

I made two Poolside Totes awhile ago and never got around to posting anything about them (…which happens). Since the pattern has been on my mind lately, I thought it’d be a fun one to share. The pattern (Poolside Tote by Noodlehead) is a good one. I love the size, shape, detailing and function.

The first one that I made was quite scrappy. I used lots of different fabrics–Doe, Doewide, Botanics, Architectures, Stamped (Ellen Luckett Baker), and Rainwalk canvas (Anna Graham). I employed sort of a quilt-as-you-go approach to sew the pieces together for the main panels, with Soft and Stable as the foundation. (By the way, in this project I learned that piecing together scraps of Soft and Stable totally works. I just used binding seam tape to fuse the scraps together before quilting the fabric on top.)

Like all of Anna/Noodlehead’s projects, this one has really smart detailing. The tab with hook is the perfect spot for clipping keys, wallet, small clutch…whatever.

In the next version, I used the same pattern but with different fabrics.

The outside is made using a Parson Gray linen that I originally bought to make a pair of shorts with. I just loved how it worked with the London Calling and Railroad denim that are on the handles and exterior pocket.

On the inside, I used some of my own Doe Wide fabric trimmed in some Architextures. (Doe Wide seems to be a favorite for me when it comes to lining…)

Both of these were made and given away as gifts, and I’ve seen both of them being used often by the recipients. Each one that I finished made me want one of my own even more, and especially after seeing others like this pop up on Instagram. (Does anyone else agree that Instagram is a massive enabler when it comes to project envy!?) With QuiltCon coming up next week, I have aspirations of finally getting around to making myself one. I think it will be perfect for hauling my class supplies and samples to and from the convention center. Or, at least that’s one way I’m justifying it!