NOODLEHEAD 241 TOTE

I came across Noodlehead a while ago and have been wanting to make the Go Anywhere bag since. Recently I was having another look at this pattern to make for my mum for her 50th birthday. Instead I decided to go with the 241 Tote. With my mum in mind, I though the 241 Tote would suit her better, and I really liked the side pockets and the overall shape of it.

It took me a while to decide on fabric choices for the bag, I had picked to main fabrics, but couldn't decide which one to use. Simple solution - use them both! I knew my mum would love both main fabric choices, so I used the multicolour prism fabric for the exterior and the medallion fabric for the interior. They may not be matchy matchy, but I think the medallion is a nice surprise on the inside.

I was originally thinking of using the plain orange fabric for the exterior side panel, however Jake helped me decide that would be too much! Instead I used the plain orange as a pop of colour on the inside of the exterior pockets.

Whilst visiting my parents over the last week for my mum's birthday, we had a picnic at the weir where I took the opportunity to use the water, blue sky and the trees as a backdrop.

The pattern suggests using woven fusible Pellon SF101. However, this is apparently not available here, and according to the customer service ladies at spotlight Pellon and woven fusible interfacing are two different things. I have no idea! I've never used any kind of interfacing before. After looking around a little bit and taking some samples home, I ended up using a light sew in wadding/batting with a stiffer iron on interfacing that is generally used in clothing. These were the cheaper options for me, and the combination gave the bag enough stiffness as well as a softer padded feel. 

Medallion fabric lining the inside. 

 Top stitching around strap and top of bag.

 A pop of orange inside the pockets.

Magnetic snaps for the inside main pocket, and a small pocket on the inside. As I'm writing this I've realised I forgot to take a photo of the key fob I added to the inside opposite the small pocket. I used a small D ring and some of the grey fabric to hang it from the top seam.

I think I might go with a thicker batting/wadding without the interfacing next time as the interfacing causes the fabric to crinkle easily and it needs an iron. My mum wasn't fazed by this at all, either was my Aunty who has requested a bag for herself. 

I'll definitely be making this bag again, I've already bought some fabric to make one for myself. I'll also be making another for my Aunty as requested. She wants her to be the same as this one, but with the medallion fabric as the main exterior as well as interior.

Details

Pattern: Noodlehead 241

Fabric: Woodland whimsy medallion in orange; Prima homespun in tigerlily; Cynthia Rowley prism in primary (didn't write down the grey?)

Notions: bag chick magnetic snap; gutterman #702; Birch 12mm D ring

Cost: pattern $8; I'll keep the other costs to myself since it was a present for my mum!

Hours: It took a few days which included stuffing around finding and deciding on interfacing etc. If I were to sit down and sew, probably about 4 hours.

Modifications/adjustments: lengthened strap by about 2" and included a key fob; no top stitching on main exterior fabric

Things I Loved: the shape, exterior pockets, magnetic snaps, options with including pockets or not. The possibilities of fabric choice and layout are endless. 

Problems: interfacing!

New skills acquired: magnetic snaps, interfacing, key fob