• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Reluctant Sewist HomepageThe Reluctant Sewist

  • Stash
  • Makes
  • About
  • Shop

Jackie’s Caravan Tote

November 21, 2016

I finished Jackie’s caravan tote, and it went much faster than I anticipated! The longest part was the cutting out, which was amplified by my severely sprained ankle. The rest of the bag was pretty easy to put together, even though I had to control the pedal with my left foot. I also couldn’t keep getting up and down to press, so I just kept moving my machine out of the way and using my press board in front of me.

The other hiccup was the bane of my existence – skipped stitches. The denim + lightweight interfacing + medium interfacing + leather = nightmare. As I worked I kept saying I’d skip some of the interfacing if I made this again with thick denim, but the finished bag has such nice structure I don’t know if I’d want to do that. The bulkiest part was the seams, so maybe I could cut the interfacing just short of the stitching? Or maybe thicker needles and thread would prevent the skipped stitches. Putting a little scrap to hold up the back of the presser foot really helped, but it still happened a bit. It was so thick I couldn’t even sew the topstitching after attaching the lining (I was going through double everything due to the seam allowances), so I ended up having to sew it about 1″ down past the seam allowances, and then reinforcing the handles where the topstitching should have gone.

Also, the leather was a huge pain in the ass. Next time I definitely need better needles/thread.

Anyway – here are photos!

tote1 tote2 tote3 tote4tote8
I got this idea from this blog. Rather than using grommets or loops, since there are snaps, yarn doesn’t have to be broken to be moved from the bag.

 

tote5
I made a bit of a mistake when sewing, and used the wrong piece for this pocket. It made it 1/2″ taller than it should have been, but the size is perfect for DPNs, circulars, pencils, and notions. My interchangeables are way too short, but I’m not sure if Jackie uses those, and they come in their own bag anyway which will fit nicely inside this large pocket.

 

tote6
There’s a good amount of room above the zipper as well, to accommodate taller notions/needles.

 

tote7 tote-lining
I didn’t pattern match at all, and yet look at what happened with the lining!! Perfection.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Filed Under: 2016 Makes, bags, notes Tagged With: caravan tote, noodlehead

Footer

Here’s a @noodlehead531 #woolandwaxtote with som Here’s a @noodlehead531 #woolandwaxtote with some amazing canvas from Japan. Which cloud are you? I’m really feeling the angry lightning cloud.
Here’s my #closetcoreblanca dress in Merchant & Here’s my #closetcoreblanca dress in Merchant & Mills laundered linen from @stitchsewshop! I’ve been wanting to make a dress version of this pattern for two years. This fabric is very good. Also my plants are very good.
Here’s my second pieced quilt, made for my very Here’s my second pieced quilt, made for my very special bff @s.a.m.r.i.v! We met 40 years ago as tiny bebes in the park, and through the years we drifted apart several times but always found each other again at various dance recitals, school field trips, beach clubs, fabric stores, and summer jobs. The universe kept shoving us together til it stuck. This quilt is a hug from afar. I might not be able to get up to New Jersey frequently but this quilt will be there for cozy/comforting times as needed. 

I picked out my fabric, then used a quilt generator at savoreverystitch.com (the last slide), then imported it into Photoshop and colored over it (second to last slide), basically changing the whole thing, but it was an awesome starting place.
It’s our 9 year anniversary and 22 year friendiv It’s our 9 year anniversary and 22 year friendiversary so here’s a nice photo! 📸 @maggiewinters_
Follow me!

About

I'm a graphic designer, small business owner, occasional knitter, and reluctant sewist. This is my sewing notebook. Read more

Email me

Copyright © 2023 the Reluctant Sewist unless otherwise noted