241 Totes

When Anna over at Noodlehead asked me to help her pattern test her cute new 241 Tote,  I of course agreed eagerly — I don’t remember when I last sewed something for myself.  So, I set to work sewing all weekend, telling my husband “oh, it’s for Anna (since he knows her too), not for me.”  But of course, it was for me too.

As the name implies, it’s really two bags in one pattern. I love both of them.  The first has beautiful pockets on the sides – which gives you lots of creative room to add another pattern.

The other has very, very useful zippered pockets on the front – great for storing your car keys or cell phone with easy access.  I love that they’re zippered so you won’t loose anything!

I had as much fun making them as I did taking photos of them.

So the “Cephalopod” tote, aka the “octopus” tote is made with Heather Ross’ Mendocino Kelp Forest (which I had been saving for myself for ever!).  The contrasting pockets were made with a fat quarter of City Weekend Park Ramble in Turquoise.  I love how this looks with the Mendicino fabric.  It almost looks like coral instead of flowers.  The brown fabric is a linen/cotton blend.  I think this one’s my new favorite tote!  

The “Matisse” tote, is made from some red Kona cotton (sorry, don’t remember the name of the shade) and of course, the Matisse inspired “Joy of Life” fabric from Alexander Henry.  The zippers were very simple to install and so nice looking!  Now I can match Gwyneth when we’re at the museum and my mother-in-law in the kitchen.

 

So, of course, when Gwyneth saw it, she got excited and asked “Is that for me?????”  “No,” I said.  “Oh.” (She of course dropped her head slightly and sighted.)  Well, so then I made a little version.

To make the smaller version, I simply printed the pattern selecting “Print multiple pages per sheet”.  I printed 2 pages per piece of paper (side by side).  Then just cut out the pattern and went from there.  The handle was just decreased by 50% in both length and width.  . . . A perfect mini 241 Tote!

Hmm….. I think she has me wrapped around those cute little fingers.

Thanks Anna for a great new pattern!