My first attempt at sewing a tote bag! 

In my own spoonflower fabric too. Pretty exciting. 

I found the initial Twenty Minute Tote tutorial online at the Purl Bee. Combine my wish to learn more, my need to embellish with thread, and a couple of mistakes; the bag became mine.

So, I was cutting one of the panels on top of another panel {what was I thinking? I wasn’t. I was too busy trying to cut a piece of fabric perfectly} and sliced the bottom corner of a panel. As per my usual approach to these kinds of *mistakes* I had to turn it into something. A pocket. of course!

Initially I thought it would be a great place for my Iphone but then with my haphazard sewing it became much smaller than originally planned. It did however become the perfect home for my business cards. Since I took this bag with me to Quilt Market, this was ideal. Instead of rifling through the inside of my bag, I just had to reach into the pocket on the lower outside corner to get my business cards. It also became conversation piece because as it turns out people were fascinated with the pocket placement choice. I proudly expressed that it was a mistake turned into something useful. Over time I’ve also sort of grown to love this unexpected place to put a pocket. When I design my own bag pattern, this design element will have to be included, I think. I also embellished one of the handles with a felt flower I made with Betz at Quilt Market and a Lizzy House button. 

So, there. Mistakes are functional and beautiful and my love for sewing continues to grow.