New Denim Grids and Grommets Tote

I have been asked to teach a class on my "Grids and Grommets Goes Western" tote at Bernina Southwest in Mesa. I visited the store recently and purchased fabric for my store sample. I have made a few modifications from my first tote. Mainly I decided to make a handle from the denim strips. It will be much easier for a class project. It takes time to construct the covered cording handle and class time is limited. If a student would like to make the cording handle, I will give them instructions.

I'm planning one more of these totes with black denim. I found two pair of black denim jeans at Dollar Days at the thrift store last week. They are washed and ready for de-construction. The denim makes such a great tote. It is soft but very durable. This tote is the perfect size (not huge but not too small). Everything fits perfectly but doesn't get lost.

Grids and Grommets Goes Western

Yesterday I decided to do a little project with recycled denim jeans. This Grids and Grommets bag is the result. I had made the larger tote from this pattern a few weeks ago. The smaller version is designed to use jelly rolls (2 1/2" strips of precut fabric available at quilt shops). I decided to use strips cut from denim jeans. My two pair of jeans were almost identical in color and it is difficult to see the strips. I think it would look better if the denim strips were light and dark but I still like this one. Once I had cut the strips, I decided to use the pockets from one of the jeans. The pattern does not have a exterior pocket. I added the back pocket from the jeans as a front pocket. Then I decided to cut the other pocket down to make a cell phone pocket on the outside of the interior pocket.

I found this lovely fabric at the thrift store. It had been an interior decorator's sample fabric. It is called "Arizona Bandana". Quite appropriate don't you think.

I love the tote and can see that it will quickly become one of my favorites. It is the perfect size to carry.

Grids and Grommets Tote

I worked this weekend during the horrible Diamondback games making this Grids and Grommets Tote. The entire exterior is quilted using a fusible quilting grid. This was my first time to use grommets and it's scary cutting holes in something that you have worked hours to complete but it worked out. They really were quite easy but probably would be easier on a thinner fabric. This tote has two layers of fusible fleece which make it bulky.

The fabric for exterior and lining are by Michael Miller. The tote is large and roomy. It may become a retirement gift for a friend. Not sure yet. Pattern is from Indygo Junction.