Tag-Along Day 7 of 7

Friday’s are my favorite day of the week for two reasons.  The first is because it is the last day of the work week.  The second is because it’s when I get to share one of my favorites.  Today is super special since it’s also the reveal of my Tag-Along modified tote.

That’s A Wrap

Well I can’t believe it!  My very first This & That Tag-Along modified tote is complete.  When I started on this journey I had two goals in mind.  The main purpose was to construct a tote that would provide safe transportation for my iPad and companion keyboard.  My purse would have been the obvious choice but, if you are at all like me, carrying one more thing in my purse just wasn’t going to happen.  The second goal was to join up with the Stitched in Color Shelburne Falls Contest.  After all who doesn’t like a chance at winning something.

Once I declared myself a candidate for the contest I set out to create something that would satisfy both objectives.  The Tag-Along pattern had been purchased previously from one of my favorite local fabric stores.  It, among other things, was waiting in line on my To Do List.  After seeing the gorgeous Shelburne Falls fabric it seemed only natural to pair up the two.

Over the past seven days I have taken you along on my journey in the construction process.  I’ve shared both my failures and successes, my likes and my don’t likes.  All in all I think it’s been a well-rounded adventure.  All that’s left now is the reveal of my finished masterpiece and linking up with Stitched in Color.  So, here we go.

Drum Roll Please!

Introducing my This & That Tag-Along modified tote constructed from Shelburne Falls fabrics

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There She Is!

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Her Bottom

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Her Pockets

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My Keyboard Pocket

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My iPad Pocket

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One Last Look

So What Do You Think?

Isn’t that the nicest tote bag you have ever seen?  Bet you would like one for yourself?  I can’t tell you how much fun I have had and how pleased I am with the outcome.

Now I have one really BIG favor to ask.  On Monday, April 8th Stitched in Color will select three of the items registered in her contest.  Those three items will compete for the contest prize, a fat quarter set of the complete Shelburne Falls collection.  The winner will be chosen by YOU! Now of course I’m hoping my fabulous Tag-Along modified tote will be one of the three finalists.  If by some strange reason that doesn’t happen I still need you to visit Stitched in Color’s blog to vote for your favorite. As soon as she announces her three finalists I will send you a link to vote.  Stay tuned for further updates.

If you would like to go back and re-live the construction from day one I’ve included links to the previous six posts here:

Day 1 of 7

Day 2 of 7

Day 3 of 7

Day 4 of 7

Day 5 of 7

Day 6 of 7

Tag-Along: Day 6 of 7

The journey is almost finished.  I started constructing my Tag-Along tote last Thursday.  Tomorrow’s the big reveal so we better hurry up and get this thing finished.  Oh, and don’t forget I’m entering my tote in the Stitched In Color Shelburne Falls Contest tomorrow.

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This is what the tote looked like yesterday.

Let’s Add the Pockets

We are now ready to position the pockets on the inside of the rail fence sandwich. Each pocket must be placed 2″ down from the 12 1/2″ (My modification:  15 1/2″) outside edge. Now grab the 2 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ (My modification:  15 1/2″) inside bottom strip. Turn under both long edges 1/4″, press. The pattern tells us the strip’s measurement, after pressing under 1/4″ on both long edges, should be 32″ x 12 1/2″ (My modification:  15 1/2″). The 32” has to be a typo because the strip started out at 2 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ (My modification:  15 1/2″). I believe they meant to say the strip will end up measuring 2″ x 12 1/2″ (My modification:  15 1/2″). Our newly created bottom strip is now ready to install.

To place the bottom strip in its proper location first place your rail fence sandwich lining side up. Lay the bottom strip, created above, in the center of the project, making sure the bottom edges of the pockets are covered. Once you are satisfied with the placement top-stitch along both long sides of the bottom strip close to the fold line.

We’re Rounding the Corners

After finishing the application of the pocket bottom strip we are told to baste around the rail fence sandwich, then round off the corners. It didn’t make any sense to me to baste around the perimeter first because the corners were going to be trimmed away.

(My modification: I marked and trimmed the corners using a small plate as my template, then cut along my drawn line with my scissors. After I had rounded the corners I basted around the entire outside edge.)

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Time to Seal it Up

My rail fence sandwich is now ready for binding. I can’t tell you how excited I am to finish my project. The excitement is barely manageable. Now that I’ve made it to the binding I can hardly stand it.

The binding was really kind of straight forward. The author of the Tag-Along recommended using 2 3/4″ bias binding. While I would agree that bias binding is a must, given the four curves you must maneuver around, I don’t, however, agree with the 2 3/4″ width.

(My modification: I used 2 1/2″ bias binding and I thought it was more than adequate.)

The bias binding was cut from the Crest Blue fabric. The author recommended purchasing a 1/2 yard. I would totally agree with this quantity. However, I will mention that you will have plenty of fabric left over.

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The Tag-Along pattern tells you to first stitch the binding onto the inside edge then turn it to the front and stitch down the other edge. For once I did exactly as the pattern instructed. Of course I did add one little step.

(My modification: On the top side of the rail fence sandwich I ran my iron along the binding with the intention of simplifying the stitching process.)

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The binding was incredibly easy to sew. As I turned first one corner, then the second corner, then the third corner my heart began to jump. I was ALMOST done! The anticipation grew and grew until finally I was on the home stretch. As I back-stitched a few stitches it was finally evident that I had indeed finished my very first Tag-Along tote. How awesome is that! Of course two small details were left to take care of. First was to see how my iPad and keyboard looked in their brand new tote bag and the second was to take a whole slew of pictures.

That’s A Wrap

Well I can’t believe it!  My very first This & That Tag-Along modified tote is complete.  All that’s left now is the reveal.  I know you would like to see the final project today but you will just have to wait until tomorrow when I will be linking my post with Stitched in Color’s Shelburne Falls Contest.  Until then here’s links to my previous posts:

Day 1 of 7

Day 2 of 7

Day 3 of 7

Day 4 of 7

Day 5 of 7

Tag-Along: Day 5 of 7

Today I’m multitasking.  It’s WIP Wednesday and time for installment # 5 of 7 for my Tag-Along tote. This tote will be entered in the Stitched In Color Shelburne Falls Contest on Friday. Not much time left so let’s get started.

Where We Left Off

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When we parted company on Day 4 we had just finished the pockets. Next up, tabs.

Tabs

There are two tabs. (My modification: three tabs.)

The tabs were cut from the Circle Square Lilac. Each tab has two pieces. Before proceeding with the assembly we must round off two of the corners.  These two corners will become the top edge of the tab. The pattern tells us to use a large spool for a template.

(My modification:  I chose to use a small bowl.)

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Here’s a photo of my curved edge.

We Need Velcro

After drawing the curved line a piece of Velcro was attached to the right side of the fabric 1/2″ down from the future curved end of the tab.

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The photo above demonstrates where the Velcro would be placed. Remember we are now looking at the right side (rs) of the fabric.  The curved line that we drew is on the underside of this tab.

Stitch the Tabs Together

Once the Velcro was attached it was time to stitch together the tab pieces. Two tab rectangles were layered right sides together (rst) to form one tab. A 1/4″ seam was stitched around three of the edges. The end opposite the curved edge was the one left open. The tab would be turned right side out (rso) through that opening.

Once stitched together excess fabric was trimmed from the curved edge, the tab was turned right side out (rso) and pressed. Leaving the raw edges untouched, I top-stitched along the remaining three edges.

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Pictured above are all three tabs complete with their Velcro, rounded edges and top-stitching.

Let’s Add an Embellishment

The very last little detail was to add an (optional) button to the front side of each tab. I dug through my button box for specimens. I easily came up with these three identical buttons. Because I hate hand-stitching buttons I sewed them on with my sewing machine.

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Here’s how my tabs looked.

Securing the Tabs

Time to attach the tabs to the rail fence sandwich.

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The first tab is attached to the outside of the rail fence sandwich. The tab should be centered along the outside edge (between the handles) with the Velcro side up. Make sure the tab is not placed on the rail fence sandwich edge where we attached Velcro way back on Day 2 of 7. The pattern tells you to pin it in place.

(My modification: I machine basted.)

The remaining two tabs are stitched on the lining side of the rail fence sandwich Velcro side down.

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Well that’s it for today.  There’s not much to finish.  Tomorrow’s the last day of construction and Friday’s the big reveal. Left on our to do list is the attachment of the pockets and center strip, trimming the corners and application of the binding.  I hope you’ll be able to be here for the finale.  It would be a shame for you to miss out.

I’m Linking Up

I’m linking up with Freshly Pieced’s WIP Wednesday.  Make sure you pay a visit to her blog.  There’s so many wonderful projects to check up on.

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Here are links to the Tag-Along previous posts:

Day 1 of 7

Day 2 of 7

Day 3 of 7

Day 4 of 7