Sewing

New Pattern! The Redwood Tote

Redwood Tote Pattern - NoodleheadSo happy to introduce to you my newest pattern, the Redwood Tote! Yayyyyy!!!! I think you’re going to love making it and even better yet – using it! It has some really fun features that I know you’ll appreciate:

  • front zippered pocket
  • top zipper for keeping everything secure
  • back slip pocket
  • interior slip pocket
  • crossbody adjustable strap
  • short handles for easy grab and go
  • reinforced base!

Click here to buy the pattern

Redwood Tote Pattern - Noodlehead

Back View

The Redwood Tote is a zip top crossbody bag. It has short handles too, which are so handy! I just love using mine. The front zippered pocket is where I keep my phone and small wallet (my Minimalist wallet to be exact). And the back has a super convenient slip pocket where I stash my keys. I love that it’s next to my body and that both pockets are easy to use.

Redwood Tote Pattern - Noodlehead

The inside has a divided slip pocket to keep a few essentials and the main compartment is nice and roomy! The zipper opens nice and wide so it’s easy to find what you need.

Redwood Tote Pattern - Noodlehead

Interior view, divided slip pocket

And! Don’t forget the reinforced base! It’s a fun detail that looks great but also functions as a stable base. It’s really fun to see it come together, too!

Redwood Tote Pattern - Noodlehead

Reinforced Base

It has so many great possibilities with all sorts of fabric combinations. I love that if you want, you can split the exterior into two different fabrics. It makes for a fun visual impact. It’s really fun to make and I just can’t stop! So plan on seeing tons more plus my testers made sooo many gorgeous versions, too. Excited to show them off here next week.

Redwood Tote Pattern - Noodlehead

Antique Brass Redwood Tote Hardware Kit

I also put together a hardware kit in both nickel and antique brass, so if you need hardware be sure to pick one up. I also have the zippers needed, too! And leather: (15″ for the short handles (3/4″-wide), 56″ for the crossbody strap (1″-wide))

Redwood Tote Pattern - Noodlehead

Alternate View using 2 Fat Quarters for Exterior Fabric

Click here to buy the pattern

I can’t wait to see what you make! Please tag me on social media (@noodlehead531 on Instagram) and add #noodleheadpatterns #noodleheadredwoodtote, too!

Fabrics:

Denim/dots tote: Around Town Small Dots by Sarah Golden for Andover Fabrics, ‘wrong’ side of denim by Robert Kaufman Fabrics, lining is Carolina Gingham by Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

Alternate view tote: Harriot (Thick Woven in Spice) by Carolyn Friedlander for Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Waxed canvas from AL Frances Textiles, lining is Kitchen Wovens in Slate by Elizabeth HartmanRedwood Tote Pattern - Noodlehead

26 thoughts on “New Pattern! The Redwood Tote

  1. Kristin says:

    I love it! This is exactly what I needed for my sketching trip to NYC a couple of weeks ago.

  2. Tennille says:

    I feel like you can do no wrong with your patterns. I will definitely try this one. I’m going to attempt it in leather I think. It looks like just the right size for the remnants that I have. I’ll keep you posted, literally 😉

    And the blue blouse…have you tried pairing it with the shawl you made a few weeks ago? Are the blues in the same color family? I wonder if they’d work well together? I don’t know what it’s like in Wisconsin but here in Canada we still need a little extra warmth most days. Thanks so much for sharing your creations. I love checking in every week to see what you’re up to, especially when you release new patterns. I’ll be adding the redwood to my list of things to make.

    PS How do you come up with the names of your bags? Maybe you should do a post about it??

  3. Caroline says:

    Yes! This is EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for! Thanks!! So excited ?

  4. Kim B. says:

    This is perfection! I’ve been wanting something just like this to slip in my backpack when I fly so I can have this bag with my stuff with me during the flight and then as a cute tote at my destination. With the zip top absolutely necessary!, thank you!!

  5. Kristin says:

    My only thing to say is “J’adore!” and “I can’t wait to make my own!!!”
    xoxoxoxo

  6. LB says:

    Your work is excellent. Love your bags!

  7. Kathleen says:

    Looks awesome. I have assembled the supplies to make the gingham tote from your book, now I think I want to make this one instead. Love the top zipper!

  8. Sara says:

    Anna, I love this new bag!! 🙂

  9. Natalie says:

    Would this be big enough to hold a 15-inch laptop?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Natalie, it’s a bit too small for a 15″ laptop. The Redwood Tote comfortably holds an 8.5×11 spiral notebook (plus more) just to give you an idea of a more common item that fits inside. Hope that helps!

  10. Jessie says:

    I love it Anna! Reminds me of a Madewell bag I have, which is the perfect size and shape so I really want to make this one now! Best wishes, Jessie

  11. Dee says:

    You have done it again Anna! I love this new bag! It’s definitely my kind of style and looks like the perfect everyday bag. Can’t wait to make my own!

  12. Theresa says:

    This bag is so pretty! Do you think it would work to add an inner divider to the bag so it has two main compartments?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Theresa, thank you! I think a divider might be tricky, but you could definitely add a larger pocket that isn’t divided. Hope that makes sense a little!

      1. Theresa says:

        Oh I didn’t think of that! I think that would be a lot easier. I finally convinced my mom to let me make her something and she loves this bag but requested something with two main compartments. I’ll add a big pocket on the opposite side from the two small pockets and that should make her happy!!

  13. Penny says:

    Has anyone used the same canvas material for the base? Is that too thick?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Penny, you could for sure! if your main fabric is waxed canvas, you’ll probably want to omit the heavy interfacing on the base. 🙂

  14. TreehouseGirl says:

    Hi, wondering if You have used foam stabilizer for This bag?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      I haven’t. I think it would be a bit too stiff for this particular bag, but it’s totally up to you! If you’d like, join the facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/noodlehead/), there’s always a good discussion on different interfacings. 🙂

  15. Sissel Lorentzen says:

    The bag is finished and fine, but I had problems with inserting the main Zipper. This is because I used “Zipper by the yard” . You don’t have a nice start where the zipper starts. Do you have any idea of how to do it simple?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Sissel, yes, zipper by the yard works a bit differently. You’d want to cut the zipper by the yard to the top opening zipper length + 1″. You’ll add a zipper tab just like in the pattern. Then, the other ends, you’ll bend back at a 45-degree angle and tack in place (similar to what is shown in the illustration in the pattern). That bend in the zipper tape creates is normally where an end stop on a regular zipper would be so follow the regular instructions for that, placing the ‘bend’ the indicated distance away from the edge of the fabric. Hope that helps a bit.

  16. Norma says:

    I purchased the pattern and found it pretty easy to work with. Question: Since I was using a fairly heavy canvas, I found it difficult to topstitch the second half of the zipper. I was wondering if it would work to move step 5 into step 8 somewhere around K. Or would that be even more difficult?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Norma, I think that would be more difficult. You’d be stitching two rows of topstitching through that same “tube” instead of just the one. Of course feel free to give it a try yourself.

  17. Cynthia Gottlieb says:

    I just purchased this pattern from you after purchasing the kit from Myhandmadespace.com I saw how she used cork fabric in the accent and handles though now I wish I had taken a screen shot of the one she had made. Would you have this as a picture? I had questions about the construction of this and they have not responded to the fact that my emails get returned as unable to send. I can’t wait to make this! size 16 “jeans” needle? “top stitch” needle? thread weight? 40? 50? Myhandmadespace makes a comment about template for the zipper install on the front. Does your pattern include this? Thank you!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Cynthia, I’m not quite sure about the My Handmade Space info, I haven’t seen what you’re referencing. I use a size 16 Microtex needle for most of my bag making and Gutermann Mara 100 for thread.

      1. Cynthia Gottlieb says:

        thank you! I found the Microtex 14 needle was fine and I adjusted the presser foot tension lower when sewing over the really think fabrics. Bag is essentially finished as now I have to figure out how to use rivets for the handles. I’ll post on Instagram. I love it! I found a video on YouTube that was super though your instructions were great. The video confirmed I was following the instructions correctly. And any trouble spots how to handle were in the video.

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