United nations

Before I go fabric shopping again, I decided to do a quick stock take of what fabrics I have on hand. I buy in bulk to get the deep discounts but this has led to a huge mess inventory of odd-shaped pieces of fabric. I didn't know how much fabric I had but I decided to make a flat patchwork tote out of unique squares (4.5cm x 4.5cm).

112 squares later I decided to stop even though I have more fabric still that I didn't cut squares from. LOL! Fabrics were from Japan, Korea, US, Australia and I don't know where. Used the final gifted cotton webbing for this tote. Plain for the patchwork and printed cherries for the linen / cherry side. Included a patch pocket from cherry fabric as well as a cut-out zip compartment which has a pocket inside as well as a pen slip. DD chose the bear zipper pull. It's cute and double-sided so you get the bear front on both sides. And it's solid metal so it's heavier than usual.
Have a blessed day!

ps: I wonder how much fabric I really have...hmmmm.....
pps: sorry for the washed out look. Don't know why the pics are like that, maybe 'cos of the hazy overcast sky? The colours are much richer than they look :-)
ppps: I just realised that I put the same patchwork side in the pic though I took both sides. LOL! Maybe I'll retake and give you richer colours, ah?

Linen, cotton, cotton/linen

Linen is one of the oldest woven fabrics in human history. Made of fibers from the flax plant, this material was once considered suitable only for royalty. Purple linen was the material for a king’s robe. The Bible mentions linen coverings used in the Tabernacle and the Temple, and references to “fine linen” are found throughout.

Linen is an expensive fabric to manufacture. Flax is a temperamental plant to grow, and the quality of the finished linen depends largely on the quality of the plant itself. The flax fibers are found in the stalk, which is picked by hand to preserve the fibers’ integrity — another reason flax is expensive. Separating the fibers is also a long and tedious process if performed correctly. Some flax is processed on cotton machines, but this results in a lower-quality finished fiber.

Linen flower pot exterior from Korea fully lined with calico. Since this is a side to side design (you see the bag, you'll know, LOL!) I couldn't do the usual panel of pockets so this has patch pockets instead. Squared off base and cotton webbing handles. Undecided yet whether to sew on a magnet or not.

What do you think?

Purple passion

Made this roomy tote for mum who likes purple and flowers (orchids, especially) out of 2 Yuwa prints. The purple floral one has a very soft hand and I paired it with the much sturdier herbs so that I don't need to use interfacing for bag structure. Included a panel of fully-lined pockets as usual and use printed cotton webbing for the handles. This tote can be used either with the purple flowers/printed handles or cream herbs/cream handles (with pockets on the outside).

Chartreuse

is a color halfway between yellow and green that was named because of its resemblance to the green color of one of the French liqueurs called green chartreuse, introduced in 1764. (extracted from wikipedia)

I first learnt about this colour when I was buying yarn. It's a bit like lime green which I also like but more yellowish. Chartreuse background with 50-cent coin polka dots tote. I've been pulling out the 'vintage' fabrics that I have and found this and a baby pink version. The texture reminds me of linen but I think it's cotton. Maybe a blend? Your usual tote with reinforced handles and a panel of pockets inside.

Have a blessed day!

Is this nice?

I received this cotton webbing as a gift some time back. Didn't think any of you would be such a fan as I am of sewing so I'm claiming this for myself. LOL!

This tote was cut from shimmery denim that I found (err, can't remember how long it's been there, years, at least) based on 1 square tile in my living room. Added a panel of fully lined pockets and made a fishing line from scrap that I found. Length of cotton webbing was just nice for carrying this tote over the shoulder, yeah!
I asked DD if it's nice. Yes, she says.
I asked DS if it's nice. He asked, compared to what.
LOL!
Have a blessed day!