As you know, I love making home-sewn or baked gifts for Christmas. This year I'm in tote bag mode: almost anyone can find a use for one more! I toyed with the idea of plain canvas shopping totes, but settled instead on a book bag sized tote that could double as a purse in a pinch. I found a simple pattern that would be easy to cut and sew "assembly line" style.
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| Esther's Tote from Ooh! Pretty Colors |
I started with a trial tote. I "needed" a fall tote/purse, and hadn't found what I was looking for at the right price. This pattern is great technically, but is pretty boxy & plain to carry as a purse. It was designed more to show off designer fabric than accessorize an outfit. Nine pleats, two ribbon roses, and a couple of vintage buttons later, I came up with this:
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| Of course, I've already re-arranged the roses. Twice. And this isn't shiny leather, it's a pebbled suede. |
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| I almost always line home-sewn bags with a saffron colored fabric so it's easy to find things quickly. |
I'll pretty much copy this bag for your aunties and grammy, using decorator fabrics that fit their tastes. I cannot picture any of them carrying a bag with ribbon roses, so I'll have to either make the flowers easily removable or go to plan B for bling.
For my nieces, I'll stick to the basic, unpleated bag, downsize it, and probably add ruffles or jumbo rick rack depending on the gal. I'll have a lot of fun picking fabric for each of their personalities, too!
Your grandpa and uncles always appreciate home-baked goodies, although I may branch out into beef jerky or a nut mix this year.
Our extended family keeps Christmas simple and small. I'm glad that our focus is on the birth of the Savior and precious time with family! I really enjoy thinking about and praying for the person who will receive the gift as I prepare it. I hope we still get Christmases together when you're reading this letter. Who knows? Maybe you'll get that groovy bag with the 2011 Pantone palette colors as a "vintage find".
Love ya bunches, Little One,
Momma
The first two are the photo from the Ooh! Pretty colors blog. I'm not currently selling the totes (some pattern makers put legal restrictions on sales) but if I decide to, you're first on the list :)
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