Hi Knitters,At Christmas time I stopped into Williams-Sonoma to pick up a few gifts. I saw and bought a couple sets of kitchen towels to have on hand if I needed an extra gift or two. I wasn't sure if I would end up gifting or keeping the towels. I ended up not needing the towels for gifts and then kind of forgot all about it. Recently, I ran across these towel sets and decided to whip them up into tote bags instead of using them in the kitchen.
The first bag is made from two kitchen towels, one for the outside and one for the lining. I used some green fabric from here for the pockets and straps. I also included a magnetic snap in the inside to keep the bag closed.
Every part of the bag has interfacing so it has a nice sturdy feel to it. I love the way the border of the towels worked out as an edging for the opening of the bag. Slick and easy!
For the second bag I used some linen-y towels adorned with chickens. I used a beautiful red fabric from here for the edging and the pockets.
For the straps and bag lining I used a natural cotton. I love the colors together. Boy, do I love to sew, especially when I don't have to use a pattern. I like the making things up part of that.
The first bag is made from two kitchen towels, one for the outside and one for the lining. I used some green fabric from here for the pockets and straps. I also included a magnetic snap in the inside to keep the bag closed.
Every part of the bag has interfacing so it has a nice sturdy feel to it. I love the way the border of the towels worked out as an edging for the opening of the bag. Slick and easy!
For the second bag I used some linen-y towels adorned with chickens. I used a beautiful red fabric from here for the edging and the pockets.
For the straps and bag lining I used a natural cotton. I love the colors together. Boy, do I love to sew, especially when I don't have to use a pattern. I like the making things up part of that. There's a quick show and tell for you today!
One more opportunity I don't want you to miss out on is that there is a new Ravelry group called, Friends of Spud & Chloë. If you join the group before Feb. 12th you are eligible to win a fabulous door prize from Spud & Chloë! You won't want to pass this up, the door prize is really good and plentiful. To join you just follow the link below and then click on the "join now" button toward the top of the screen. The winner will be selected and announced on Feb. 15th by the group moderator, Pixie Purls of Petite Purls.
Good luck on winning the door prize if you decide to join our new group on Ravelry.
Have a good Thursday, Knitters!
best, susie
26 comments:
Very cute!
What a great idea! I never thought of making anything out of kitchen towels before. Now when they are on super sale at target or somewhere I'll look at them in a whole new light!
Loved the tote bags. Did you make the basket of cherries hanging on the door? It is fabulous.
Love the tote - but I'm note so good as to work completely without a pattern! Anyone suggest a good one? I'm off to look at a Amy Butler web site now...
I wish I could sew. Someday I will learn. Your totes are too cute.
Also, I am the one who was recently put on total bedrest due to preterm labor. Well, my second daughter arrived last week. While she is still a preemie she is doing amazingly well and is already home with us. (My whole family met you in Grand Rapids, MI this past November.)
Anonymous,
Sew What? Bags by Lexie Barnes got me started on bag making. She has lots of basic simple bags in her book that are perfect for providing easy concepts.
susan
Bonnie,
The basket of cherries is a Lulu Guinness bag I have had for many years. I love it so much I leave it hanging on my door year round.
susan
I love your light switch cover! I bet your whole house is adorned with little fabulous details like that. I hope my family grows up in a house like that someday too!
oh! how do i love thee bag of the poultry! let me count the ways! i love thee to the height and breadth and depth my needle can reach when feeling out of touch for thread! and if god choose i shall but love thee more after knitting! (with apologies to robert browning!) :p
(ps: i REALLY love that chicken bag!!!)
LOVE this! :)
I love your totes!!! So cute...and creative!!!
I've already joined the group couple of days ago when you first mentioned in on the Spud & Chloe blog.
Do you have a sewing machine or do you sew by hand?
Lucy,
I have a machine that I inherited from my mom and just recently learned how to use it.
I love to sew by hand, too.
susan
Too many projects, not enough time?
Love your bags - too many projects, not enough time???
THERE IS THAT FABRIC AGAIN!!!!!! I first saw it with your daughter. I LOVE IT. The theme for the nursery at my house (for the grandbabies) is the Little Red Hen.
I adore that fabric. And that bag, I LOVE IT!
I don't know where you find the time.
barb
aka knitting thru the "itty bittys"
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
You are just the most creative thing! And no pattern to boot! Love your totes. I, too, have had one of those Basket of Cherries bags forever and, like you, through every sorting, purging, and reorganizing of my sewing room, it survives and holds a place of prominence so I can see it and enjoy. Too cute to discard, and it holds odds and ends buttons, etc. for me. :-)
I don't do very well with the sewing part but can very much appreciate your talent and eye for what's cute! Thanks for sharing! Again and again, and again and again.....
I want the chicken one!!! Is it for sale??? Is there a pattern, or are you one of those dreaded people who just "whip things up" out of their head???
Those bags are really lovely, I so want to learn how to sew!!
What an enabler (maybe I should say "encourager") you are! I, too, love that little basket of cherries, the totes, your displays, and on and on! Thanks for sharing all of that creativity and showing us that it's really possible ...
Can you share the pattern used for those wonderful bags made from tea towels????
Pleeeeese???
very nice bags! you've gotten so good at sewing. i'm inspired to whip out my machine and keep practicing!
thanks for the heads up for the ravelry group!
looking forward to seeing you on March 5th in the windy city!!!
Your bags are so cute and creative, I can't believe you can do that without a pattern.
I lovedd hearing about your day off. Great that you did everything she liked...and it sounded like quite a bit to me.
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