This solid 241 Tote is one I’ve been meaning to make for a long time. Even though I love mixing fabrics, making the 241 Tote out of one solid fabric instantly makes it classic and timeless.

Fabric Type

I used some Merchant & Mills dry oilskin for this one. I honestly would NOT recommend oilskin for this tote. There are too many great curves and dry oilskin lends itself better to straight lines in my opinion.

I loved this color though, so I forged ahead anyway. I think there are lots of wrinkles that are just unavoidable. They’re not as noticeable in person as they are in pictures! If I were to recommend a beautiful selection of solid fabrics to use for the 241, I would 100% go with an Essex (or Essex Yarn Dyed) by Robert Kaufman Fabrics. It really does sew up so beautifully. And there are so many great colors to choose from!

This is the zippered pocket option, which I love the look of. Of course, it makes it a bit more of a challenge for sewing. But it is totally worth it for the secure pockets and aesthetic. A Petal Pouch would be such a great add-on if you’re making one of these for a gift. The small Petal Pouch would compliment the shape and be a perfect spot for organizing those smaller items!

I designed the 241 Tote back in 2011 if you can believe that. It has consistently been one of my most popular patterns for 13 years! I get in a rut of assuming people are always drawn to everything new, but it just depends on the design – some just keep going!

Project Details:

• Pattern: 241 Tote (zippered pocket view), available in PDF and paper format in my shop
• Fabrics used:
  • Exterior: Dry Oilskin by Merchant & Mills, StyleMaker Fabrics has a great selection of colors here. I’m not sure the color I used is available still? It’s possibly their Nicotine color (again, unless you’re very experienced I wouldn’t recommend this substrate for the 241 Tote). Instead I would recommend Essex in Leather or Essex Yarn Dyed in Roasted Pecan
  • Lining: Essex Yarn Dyed Stripe in Chambray by Robert Kaufman Fabrics
• Zipper by the yard from Sullivan’s Trim (please be sure to read the note in the pattern of how to use zipper-by-the yard on this project)

My 2024 Thankful Sale is here! Sewing patterns and leather 20% off!

Above: 241 Tote pattern, available in PDF or Paper! I’ll be blogging about this one in a post soon!

Starting today I’m having my 13th annual sale on all my sewing patterns and leather in my shop! Yayyyyy!

From now through Monday, December 2nd (11:59pm CDT) 2024 all patterns and leather items* (all leather straps, leather snap tabs for the minimalist wallet, leather wrist straps, zipper pulls, and leather patches) are 20% off. No coupon code is necessary. Discount will be automatically applied at checkout. This also includes my Everyday Essentials booklet!

*For the leather items, please note that the discount applies while supplies last. I’ve stocked as much as I could get cut. If you’re looking at getting a certain color/length be sure to stop by early! 

No coupon code necessary. Discount will be automatically applied at checkout. 

Hope you have a wonderful week & weekend! Thank you so much for being a part of this supportive and encouraging community! I appreciate you all every single day!

p.s. the first picture is of my 241 Tote (241 Tote Pattern), second image is of my new paddleboard out on the lake! (I love it), and the last image is a spiderweb spotted on a walk earlier this fall!