Sewing

Detective Maker’s Tote

Detective Maker's Tote by Noodlehead

Emily was having fun the other day playing ‘detective’. It was pretty much the cutest thing ever. She had her notebook and was writing up the cutest rhymes while wearing a hat and sunglasses for a disguise. She mentioned not having a big enough bag to use for her detective work (she had been using this one). So I ended up showing her the small size Maker’s Tote that I had and we sealed the deal. She found it to be most agreeable for her detective needs. That night we picked out the fabrics. It was so fun to see what she liked and didn’t like. She loves the color blue, so obviously that helped establish most of our choices. I’ve been working on a few other things lately and she definitely has not forgotten about her bag! I had gotten reminded pretty much daily until I finished it.

Detective Maker's Tote by Noodlehead

Detective Maker's Tote by Noodlehead

It was really fun sewing the tote together. I like having everything all set and am just able to sit down and sew! Part of my super disorganized self really likes doing things very unsystematically when I get to sew something I’ve made a bunch of times previously. Maybe I’m just trying to make it more interesting or challenging by cutting out things here, sewing a bit, fusing a bit, walking away, playing with the dog, it’s all good.

Detective Maker's Tote by Noodlehead

She requested just one pocket on the inside and I was happy to oblige, one less step. All in all this came together pretty quickly, it’s such a fun size. She’ll be getting a lot of use out of it I’m sure. I can’t wait to see her sneaking around the neighborhood with it. And now to the next task – finding what to make Natalie because you can make one kid something and not the other! What a world!Detective Maker's Tote by Noodlehead

Detective Maker's Tote by Noodlehead


Pattern: Detective Maker’s Tote (size small shown) watch my video with tips here
Fabric: Stamped by Ellen Luckett Baker, Meadow by Leah Duncan,
shot cotton, chambray
Zipper: Wawak.com


Detective Maker's Tote by Noodlehead

Have a great weekend!

26 thoughts on “Detective Maker’s Tote

  1. ana says:

    ooohh that happy face at the end 🙂

  2. Sharon Askew says:

    Oh my….she is precious! Oh and yeah, the Maker’s Tote is too.

  3. Jeni says:

    So sweet! With that bag, she’ll be the next Sherlock in no time!

  4. This is so cute!! Reminds me of a cooler more awesome version of the Fisher Price doctor bag from the old toys!!! =)

  5. mskhofhinn says:

    Very cute! I love how excited kids get about having something handmade just for them – in a way it’s so much more fun than making stuff for adults!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      agreed!!

  6. Amy says:

    This is so adorable! I am working on the detective patch with my girl scouts…imagine 15 little sleuths all in one room. It’s something else 🙂

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Oh gosh, that’s so adorable Amy!!!

  7. Holly says:

    Perfect detective bag!! She’s so freaking cute.

  8. Fran Dale says:

    I have your book here, Anna, and I must compliment you! Clear instructions, lovely attractive bags and fabrics! Lots of work, though!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks so much Fran! So glad you like it. 🙂

  9. liz n. says:

    The expression on her face is everything!!

    Double high-five for you, Mom!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      awe thanks Liz!

  10. Jen U. says:

    Too cute for words — what a great mom you are!

  11. Pamela says:

    I love it! You are amazing! Oh my! I have that exact Kodak Instamatic! I got it for Christmas from my parents when I was a teenager. Very cool to see it!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Oh that’s awesome!!! I’ve actually got two. They’re super fun to play with even without film!

  12. Sharon says:

    Fabulous bag, and what a wonderful post!! Love her pose 🙂

  13. kislanykim says:

    awesome! She’s got a great attitude!!

  14. Karen @runsewfun says:

    Well done, Mama! I love that you made this “just because”. This post is missing a photo of the detective in her hat and glasses, though that’s part of the mystery I suppose. Happy investigating!!!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      hehe, yep, gotta keep things top secret. 😉

  15. aquilterstable says:

    Loved this – SO sweet! I hope to tackle my own bag this next week!

  16. Kim says:

    Very nice detective bag and what a cutie!

  17. Jenny says:

    I’m giving this one a go. Looks good

  18. mtp says:

    I’ve been eyeing this pattern for a while and love it, but I and have a couple of questions about it. First, most of the pictures I’ve seen of this bag, yours as well as those posted by others who’ve made it, show 4 fabrics: the outside, the lining and 2 accent fabrics, usually the inside pockets and side baffles are one, and the handles and bias trim the other. The pattern page (https://blog.noodle-head.com/product/makerstote) only shows 3 fabrics in the materials list. Do you have another materials lists for the 4th fabric? Are the pockets and side baffles included in one of the 3 shown, so one of them can be reduced? Also, your bags all have a lovely curved shape to them, but many of the photos online are more floppy and don’t have that wonderful “doctor bag” curve. Can this be attributed to the kind of stabilizer used? I’ll be using Soft & Stable as your materials list shows.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi MTP, thanks for your comment. Yes! Sorry, I must have missed listing that in the fabric description, so thank you. I’ve added the missing 4th fabric for the online product listing (it’s always been in the pattern itself). While I can’t speak for projects made by others, I do use the indicated interfacings noted in the pattern. I also fill mine with crushed papers or rolled towels to give it that shape (it’s also a tip in the pattern itself), which then ‘sets’ the shape. After that I fill it with whatever I need. 🙂 Hope that helps.

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