I spent the better part of a week at a sewing retreat last fall and this quilt is one of the projects I worked on – my Theodore Quilt.

The quilt top was a quilt kit that I purchased from Penelope Handmade last summer I think? The Theodore Quilt pattern is also by Penelope Handmade.

Great retreat project!

I love the super traditional look of it. And I really love how the blocks came together! It was very easy to piece. I might even think about making another with a variety of fabrics. I’d say it was a perfect retreat quilt!

For the backing I found this cute almost feedsack-like wideback fabric over at Stash Fabrics. Thanks to my friend Brianne for telling me to check there! They have a great selection of widebacks, so if you’re in the market, I’d recommend checking there (after your local quilt shop of course). It’s called Prairie Flower Wide and it’s by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Fabrics.

Stumped on Binding

And for the binding, oh the binding! I had no idea what to use for this quilt! I auditioned a lot of different options, but finally made myself commit to this yarn dyed something or another I had tucked in my stash. It’s a yarn dyed Essex, but I can’t be sure. To help move the project along, I told myself I could take it off if I didn’t like it once I got it attached. But! I like it, so it stays. I think it frames the quilt nicely.

I can’t say that I know what I’m going to do with the quilt. It’s so so soft and I can imagine once I wash it, it’ll be even softer. I had thought about hanging it on my quilt wall, but it’s a little shorter than the one I currently have hanging there.

Project Details:

• Pattern: Theodore Quilt by Penelope Handmade
• Fabrics were a kit that I purchased from Penelope Handmade (the linked kits are similar to this, but not the same fabrics), but I think they’re French General by Moda
• Backing is Prairie Flower Wide by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Fabrics
• Binding is a yarn dyed Essex
• Quilting is a clamshell pantograph, quilted by my friend @angiebranlhandmade

Hands down my favorite. I like simple, I like minimal. Solid colors for bags is always a yes for me. If you’re ever in doubt, a solid always looks great. This Nuno to Mono Fieldstone Tote was a fun sew!

Why Nuno to Mono? It’s the name of the specific heavyweight canvas that Kokka Fabrics sells. You might be able to find some at your local quilt shop (or ask for it, they might be able to order it for you!). This is a STURDY canvas. It comes in at 13 oz. which is nice and heavy for bag making. I didn’t add any interfacing to this canvas, but you could, just keep it out of the seam allowances and your machine will thank you.

The lining is a woven by Elizabeth Hartman that I purchased a last Spring from Sewtopia (Kitchen Window Wovens). I think it’s harder to find now that it’s a little older, but you might be able to find some with some internet sluething. I did use SF101 on these lining pieces.

And for the handles, I wanted to get a little fancy and I added these leather ones. I finished these by oiling them, finishing the edges, and then rounding the ends with my end punch. I added them at the very end of making my tote. Just skipped sandwiching the handles between the layers and then when I had the tote all done and topstitched, I punched through the Main Exterior and Main Inner Panel on both sides of the tote and attached the handles with rivets. I added about 3″ of length (to the measurement in the pattern) to each handle measurement to account for the placement, but feel free to adjust as you’d like! This type of installation makes it easy to decide because they’re added at the very end!

Project Details:

• Pattern: Fieldstone Tote (View B, Regular size)
• Free VIDEO sew-along on my YouTube channel!
• Fabrics:
  • Nuno to Mono Heavyweight Canvas in Yellow
  • Lining is Kitchen Window Wovens by Elizabeth Hartman
• Interfacing:
  • SF101 on the lining pieces only
• Zipper/zipper pull is from Zipper Valley.
• Leather handles available in my shop (I no longer stock this color, but have Black/Medium Brown/Dark Brown if you’re interested)
• Leather pulls available in my shop.
• Fun labels are from Sarah Hearts (Then Came June collab) and the back label is from Matchy Matchy

I made a lot of Fieldstone Totes in the process of developing the pattern. Mostly because I had so much fun putting together different combinations of fabrics! So here’s a trio of Fieldstone Totes! These are all View A of the Fieldstone Tote in the Regular size.

First up is the classic Strawberries canvas (navy) by Kimberly Kight for Ruby Star Society. You can’t get more summery than these strawberries, they’re just perfect.

I paired it with the 600d waterproof canvas from Sullivan’s Trim. It’s a wipeable fabric, so I’ve loved using it on my samples for the gusset! You can set it in anything and then just wipe it clean. You’ll notice that all three of these Fieldstone Totes use it for the gusset. Grab some for yourself, I bought a bunch and have really enjoyed working with it. The other thing they have in common is that they all use the Ivory 300d waterproof canvas from Sullivan’s trim. The 300d is a lighter weight than the 600d and is perfect for a wipeable lining!

For the interior hang pocket, I used the calico print from Catnap collection by Alexia Marcelle Abegg (Ruby Star Society) and a denim-look zipper from Sullivan’s Trim as well. Finishing it off is a Roasted Pecan leather decorative zipper pull.

Second Fieldstone is this gorgeous Echino canvas by Kokka. They’re canvas is so perfect and I always have loved the bold designs. I love how this one looks!

Lastly is the See You at Six stripe! The canvas stripe is from See You at Six Fabrics. I got mine from Bolt Fabrics, but you might be albe to scour the web and find more (I think it was from their summer collection from last year). I’m on the hunt for more striped fabric to make more samples! I love how you can change up the direction of the stripe to create more interest.

The interior hang pocket is Alexia Marcelle Abegg’s super cute birds print from her Catnap collection. Zipper is from Sullivan’s Trim, the black coil with the Limeade color is so fun and sporty! Waxed cord on the zipper pull is from my shop.

Project Details:

• Pattern: Fieldstone Tote (View A) Regular
• Fabrics:
  • Strawberry Canvas by Kimberly Kight for Ruby Star Society
    • pocket fabric is Catnap by Alexia Marcelle Abegg for Ruby Star
  • Echino Float Canvas by Kokka
    • pocket fabric was gifted by a friend
  • Horizontal Stripe Canvas by See You at Six Fabrics
    • pocket fabric is Catnap (Birds in Citron) by Alexia Marcelle Abegg for Ruby Star
    • FOR ALL: gusset fabric is 600d waterproof canvas from Sullivan’s Trim
    • FOR ALL: lining fabric is 300d waterproof canvas in Ivory from Sullivan’s Trim

I had so much fun making these, they’re going to be perfect to pass out to my family at our next gathering. I also think they’d make a great gift for teachers for the end of school year – it’s not that far off (says mother of high school senior)!