Monday, August 25, 2014

Quilted “Cinch It” Tote Bag

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My latest project, which I quilted on the long arm, is this darling "Cinch It Tote Bag"
from the free pattern on the website, All People Quilt
Here is their version...I just tucked my sides inward to form the different shape you see above, in my photo.



You might have to register to download the complete instructions.  Do so...you won't regret it.
I love that site...so many great ideas!

I also constructed mine a little differently, from their instructions, as I put a backing beneath the batting & pretty French Provincial fabrics, so I could quilt it on my Innova long arm machine.
They have you quilt just the top & batting, without a backing, on your domestic machine.

I hope you can see that I used a Fleur-de-Lis block pattern, which came in my Auto Pilot program, in keeping with the Frenchy goodness of the fabrics.  I didn’t want it too heavily quilted, just enough for an accent.

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Side view of the boxed corner.
Below is the one my sewing buddy, Anne J. made from the same pattern.

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We shopped for her fabric together at Ohio Star Quilt Shoppe &
started to work on the totes together at my house one day.
We each completed them on our own at home.  

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I love how she was able to embellish her plain yellow strips with an embroidery motif that mimics
the floral swirling vines in the fabric.  Brilliant idea & Nice job, Anne!!

14 comments:

  1. Good morning Rett,

    Love both bags. I will be so glad to get into new house in a couple of months or so and make some stuff. Right now I am packing and storing all my stuff.

    You must love the long arm quilting!

    Hugs,
    Carol

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  2. Gorgeous bags! I love your friend's embroidery, it's really a neat touch. Sounds like you're having lots of fun with your new toy:@)

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  3. Good morning, Rett. Great tote and your quilting is lovely. I am glad you are getting to make friends with your new toy. Those circles and loops are beautifully stitched and balanced and I love the print.

    So glad you are getting a project in as I know your time has been much occupied lately. Great to see you blogging too! We miss you when we don't have your great posts to ponder.

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  4. Rett, it is beautiful. It looks like your long arm and you have become great friends. It looks like you've been using it for years. Great to see you blogging. Sending you many thoughts and prayers.

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  5. How fun! What a cool, practical project and so pretty too! Sounds like you're having a ball with your new long arm.

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  6. What beautiful bags, my sewing/quilting friend! You're enjoying your new long arm, aren't you? I'm thinking a trip to France is in your future and you'll be prepared! Thanks for sharing the projects and the website for the project. Big hugs sent to you from Texas!

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  7. I forgot to mention that I love your new header!!

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  8. Rett, your bag is beautiful. I love the Fleur-de-lis quilting. I think sometimes we do too much on totes and handbags, and they get stiff and not as soft and flexible. Tell your friend I love her fabric and her embroidery detail. You each made a quality fashionable tote...prettier than a Vera B bag!

    It was so good to have a cuppa coffee and have this little visit with you. You are thought of often...in fact when I was in Springfield MO I was in a Marshall's store and saw the prettiest china with very fragile pink flowers...I thought of you and your lovely table scapes and how you would probably just swoop them up. Hugs...

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  9. Lovely to see your name come up on my reading list, Rett!
    The bag is lovely and I can think of many uses you'll have for it, from beach holiday to everyday shopping. I love the fabric you chose!

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  10. It was lovely to see a comment from you on my blog, Rett, as well as this post in my reader. I love your bag in those French provincial fabrics.
    You asked about my point and shoot Nikon - it was a Coolpix P7100. I don't know if it's still being made and I've decided to upgrade to a mirrorless camera system. More money, but with the ability to switch lenses on a small bodied camera.
    I do miss my little Nikon though - oddly I had tears in my eyes when I went to pick up the memory card and saw the camera all taken apart in a little box. I gave it a little pat and said my farewell. So silly to be emotional over something so trivial, but that camera represented a lot.

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  11. Your tote bag is lovely! You are such a talented quilter and seamstress, Rett. Hope you are having a good summer!
    Blessings, Beth

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  12. I'm going to check out the All People Quilt site. I love the bags. Also love your new header.
    Lillian

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  13. Rett, it's great to see a post from you. Your new bag is very Frenchy. ;-) The fabrics look like something from Pirere Deux. Oh, how I miss that store!!!!
    Hope you are well and enjoying the summer. Looks like you are having a productive one.

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  14. You did a beautiful job on your new bag! I'm so glad that you've been able to put that new quilting machine to good use!!! Love the flour-de-lis pattern you used as well. :D

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~