I can’t believe a whole year has passed since I released the Colleen Tote Bag sewing pattern! It’s such a great classic carry-all style for the beginner bag-maker and I’ve been so happy to see all the different versions all over social media with #ColleenToteBag. With the simple clean lines, this bag comes together quickly and I’ve seen it become quite a popular gift! Thank you to everyone who has shared their makes with me <3 You can find the Colleen Tote Bag pattern here.
Since you know I love to hack patterns (both with bags and garments) to make uniquely mine, it should be no surprise that I even hack my own patterns. You can check out the posh “Shortie” version of the Colleen here with metal ring handles and leather accents. This time, I added in a purse flap to help keep the contents secure, as well as, adding instructions for purse feet.
I was recently asked to teach a Colleen Tote workshop with the American Sewing Guild – Cape Fear Chapter and they wanted some additional hardware added on to gain some new bag-making techniques. I thought this flap would be such a great addition to the bag. On top of learning how to install a turn-lock and purse feet, the guild also learned how to add special details like rivets to take their bags up to the next level. It was my absolute pleasure to oblige and created the add-on instructions and pattern templates (which you can find at the end of this post.)
While I was making this sample for the class, I rushed a bit and of course, paid the price for it. (I wanted to bring this tote along to Jeni’s Strawberry Jam which was just the next day.) Instead of using the purse feet washer to mark my holes, I accidentally grabbed the washer for magnetic snaps and thus, had my holes for the prongs that were too far apart. Doh! Luckily, I have a nice little stash of leather and cut out leather circles to use as exterior washers. I glued them over the wrong holes and then went back to cut the right ones. Now, you would never know I made a mistake! This process has definitely been used a few times to save my projects….maybe it can help some of your’s too.
When I was in Austin, TX last year, I grabbed this Japanese canvas from the (now closed) Cloth Pocket. It’s just the cutest fabric and I’m glad I saved it for this Colleen Tote project. The pandas are just too cute! The Colleen is definitely a great bag to show off a print, both for small and large scale designs. For the interior, I used a lightweight shirting from my stash which gives this bag picnic vibes. The accents are made of Art Gallery Fabrics Textured Denim (aff link) which is nice and heavy — perfect for bag-making.
|| Click here for >> Colleen Tote Add-On Turn Lock and Feet by Love You Sew ||
Project Summary:
- Pattern: Colleen Tote Bag by Love You Sew (me!)
- Fabrics: Japanese Canvas (unknown mfr), Lightweight Gingham Shirting (unknown mfr since I purchased it from a destash), and Textured Denim by Art Gallery Fabrics (aff link)
- Hardware: Emmaline Bags
- Zipper: Wawak Sewing
I hope you enjoy the FREE add-ons with your Colleen Tote Bag!
Happy Sewing!
Cristy
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