TUTORIAL: Shortcut Quilted Tote

Sew this expensive looking boxy tote from one cut of fabric and in one afternoon.

I saw the fabric first, before I had a project for it. Unlike many sewists, I am not a fabric hoarder. But I needed this buffalo check and plaid. So I came up with a reason to buy it on the spot. Go get some for yourself and you, too, can make a Shortcut Quilted Tote in one afternoon!

PICTORIAL: Ripstop Reusable Bag

Sew a durable, leak-resistant, reusable grocery bag with Ripstop Nylon!

It's time we all replaced one-use plastic bags. I'd miss the disposable plastic, if I didn't already have a great pattern for a lightweight, leak-resistant, durable market bag ready to go. I sewed up half a dozen in just a few hours and you should, too!

Dottie Vintage (Dance) Bag

A few dancers monkeying around on a Dottie Vintage Handbag -- perfect for a dance class of first-graders, no?

PRP Week 2: A Study in Scarlet* (Buttonholes)

The game is on, Mrs. Hudson! I may no longer be a contestant but I was too deep in my mind palace to stay away from cosplay inspired clothes for Week 2. This is in my wheelhouse. It was elementary, my dear Project Run & Play readers.

*And by "scarlet," I mean burgundy.

Inside Out for Lunch!

The first day outfit is done. The backpack is done. And now, the lunchbox is done. It's the end of September and she's finally ready for school. What?

Fifth Annual Back-to-School Backpack!

You didn't think I let school start up again without forging another shield of protection out of Mother's Love, did you?

Project Run & Play Over Her Shoulder

Every good collection has at least one accessory -- for Project Run & Play it's The Reversible Sling Bag from Sugar Bee Crafts. 

Tote-ally Thankful for Our Teachers

Every new school year (or new-school) I feel compelled to sew something for The Peanut. I forge a shield of protection out of fabric and mother's love to send with her off into the world. It's the end of the school year and the last year of three in her current program. Once again I was driven to sew something imbued with all my love and gratitude and awe. This time I'm sewing for her teachers.

TUTORIAL: Lined Canvas Tote

Create a fully-lined canvas tote with an outer pocket and reinforced bottom!

In the midst of sewing along with Project Run & Play, I took a detour to sew up this tote as a gift for a friend. I chose it because it can have big impact and yet it really is a quick project to put together once you have the cutting dimensions figured out. It just so happened I still had my sketch from the Tote of Protection with the numbers already jotted down. As long as I was already sewing the bag again, I thought I’d share the dimensions (and the directions) here.

Tote of Protection

Mr. Wren, watching me frantically sew: We could just buy The Peanut a tote bag if that's what her new school requires.

Me: But I'm not making a tote bag. I'm forging a shield of protection out of Mother's Love.

Mr. Wren: Or you could do that.