Winter Time Tote

Winter Time Tote (size 18" X 24")

This Sherri K. Falls pattern came from her 2006 book ~Woodroses in Winter~ purchased that same year in Rhinelander, WI during a family vacation.  Although it was summer at the time, Mom and I were attracted to the stores kit sample hanging in Karen's Quilt Corner.  I promised to make it for Mom but over time I'd lost track of the project until my recent studio remodel when it resurfaced along with my determination to give it to Mom before this year ended.  Goal accomplished!

each pocket features a different panel

Construction was fairly simple once I understood the directions.  Thank goodness for book diagrams and photos.  There were a couple of steps I really had to ponder, especially the final seams and corner connections.  To spare myself a possible disaster, I made a paper version of the layers to that point and then tested the cutting directions and secured with tape first to make sure all would work out.  Actually, this tote pattern is awesome now that I've made one.  I can see myself making others with different themes. 

What made this tote more challenging was my use of a thick felted blanket as the batting.  I love the sturdiness of the bag but my machine could not handle four layers of this 'batting' plus the eight layers of fabric when it came time to sew the side seams and corners.  Hand stitched button hole thread (really strong stuff!), did the trick but was very painful on arthritic hands to accomplish.  Next bags will not be as thick for that reason.

My other pattern alteration was adding pockets to the inside of the bag using leftover contrasting fabric scraps.  Due to the clever fabric choices, this tote can be used all winter long - including Christmas, without being 'Christmasy'.

Recycling Fabric & Batting Scraps

Whenever I can re-purpose discarded items to keep them from the landfill I enthusiastically do so.   Fabric and batting trimmings from recent quilt projects  (including the liners from dress ties), all got tossed in a plastic bag until I had enough to fill a 28" square dog bed.  Here is the result.

28" square corduroy covered dog bed

I made a liner from ugly rust dyed fabric that didn't turn out nice enough for my art projects but was perfect for this project.  I stuffed the scraps in the liner and sewed the opening closed with a slightly larger stitch for easy reopening.  The liner can be refilled with fresh scraps or new fiberfill when needed and the quilted cover can be machine washed separately.

As a dog walker for Friends of Pets - a local animal rescue shelter - this will be the first of hopefully many hand made dog beds I will assemble from my studio scraps and donate to the pooches.  My plan is to make a few liners and covers in advance.  I'll bet I can get stuffing donations from fellow quilters at our guild.  Dog bed covers can also be made from old blue jeans and upholstery fabric.  Love to keep that stuff out of the landfill.  Lighter, smaller beds can be made for the kitties too.  And as a side note: I've been shredding office paper and bagging it to donate for the small critters like hamsters and guinea pigs for Animal Control.  I hope they will take it, otherwise it goes to the recycling center.