Happy Friday everyone! I put the finishing touches on this sample of my Explorer Tote pattern the other day. I’m glad to be able to get some pictures and show it off a bit. I’m pretty certain that this one will be mine to keep.
I had actually made this sample a very long time ago and had to do a bit of bag surgery on it to get the turn lock installed. I had made it without one before I finalized the design and knew I couldn’t just leave it heaped in a pile in my closet. So out it came and I had to rip some seams to get the bottom of the turn lock in, but it wasn’t too bad of a struggle! I’m so glad I did because I really like this color combo. The Rain Walk, Carkai, and waxed canvas combo just had to be made.
I’m hoping to take it on my next sewing trip!
Also, not sure if you’ve heard of Quilter’s Candy Box yet, but one of my patterns will be included in their March boxes! I’m so excited!!! I had gotten one of their first boxes and it was such a fun treat. Speaking of treat, I think that definitely sealed the deal, a treat to eat is included in each box! I love that. So stop by their website and see if you’d like a box for yourself or maybe gift one to a friend!
Lastly, I was considering selling some turn locks – either individually or as part of an Explorer Tote hardware kit, is that something you’d be interested in at all? Let me know!!! I’m planning on having the turn lock video tutorial ready for next week. I promise they’re way easier than you think to install, and super user-friendly to use. 🙂
Pattern: Explorer Tote (large size with recessed zip option)
Fabric: Rain Walk by me! (it’s a couple of years old now so maybe a few shops still have some?),
Carkai by Carolyn Friedlander, and waxed canvas from AL Frances Textiles
A kit would be awesome!
I am in love with waxed canvas. Locks would be great.
Kits would the bomb!
Especially if some of them include Rain Walk, since I’m down to snips and scraps of all that I had!
Hello Anna! That would be awesome to have the turn-locks available to purchase individually. Right at this moment I have a small leather purse that needs on replaced. It’s been replaced once, and though I don’t remember how I did it, I do remember it being way easier than I had anticipated. I love your site, wonderful bags of all kinds. Thank you for a great site to visit. i hope to order the leather straps one of these days
I’d be very interested in a kit!
I’d LOVE a hardware kit. Finding matching hardware in the correct size can be so frustrating! That’s actually why I haven’t purchased this pattern yet.
This is the Large size?
I’d be intrigued by a kit, but I have fabrics in mind already! Is there a place you suggest to source turn locks and hardware?
Yes, this is the large. I have links to all my sources right in the PDF. 🙂
Love the waxed canvas..so sturdy..is it 10 oz or 12oz. Yes, to the pattern with hardware kit.
Would need a tutorial on the turn lock, though!
I believe this is the 10 oz. 🙂 Yep, putting together a turn lock tutorial for next week.
A kit would be great.
Can’t wait to see your tutorial on the turn lock. I just bought one but wasn’t sure how to install it. Thanks!
Kits would be wonderful. I ordered the hardware for both sizes (one of each tote) from two different stores recommended on the pattern because neither had all of the components. Not a big hassle, but it’d be nice to pay for shipping only once and not have to buy in sets of four in some cases. 🙂 Plus, I’d be more inclined to buy your leather handles if I could purchase them with a hardware kit. I can understand not wanting to sell fabric, though — bigger inventory, more processing. Thanks for asking, btw. I’m in the midst of cutting out pieces for the first tote and kept wondering if kits might be one the horizon. Super excited about this pattern, so biggest thanks for that!
Yes! Definitely do sell a kit! I’d love to support your business (and also skip trying to find each piece individually online!).
It would be great to have a kit!
Another gorgeous bag! And no evidence of the surgery performed… I need to add a zip retrospectively to a trail tote made for a friend, the magnetic clasp snapped through so much use and I think I zip would suit her needs more anyway. Must get on and do it!
This bag looks gorgeous! I’d love to make something as beautiful as this…
There’s definitely a lack of decent material shops locally.
Love the colour scheme 🙂
Starlight & Stitches
Very nice blog, thank you for the details on the shots, it will make me progress.
I just finished my first, small explorer tote — I’ll need to check out your turn-lock tutorial! I am sure I did it the hard way. But I love the way the bag turned out anyway! 🙂