I thought I’d share this quilted Buckthorn Tote I had made using my newest fabric collection, Quarry Trail. Quarry Trail is overprinted on Robert Kaufman’s beautiful Essex, Essex Yarn Dye, and Essex Homespun Yarn Dye fabrics. I love the versatility of this substrate, but it sometimes means you can get a little creative with things in order to give you your desired outcome.

Quilting the pieces

The Buckthorn Tote is a fairly small tote. You could just stick to using a single layer of fusible woven interfacing on the exterior with Essex, even a double layer of interfacing is an option. But I wanted to quilt it like my Buckthorn Backpack, and so I quilted my Buckthorn Tote, too! I have a bunch of notes in my backpack post if you want to read more.

Quilting your pieces before assembling a bag is another fun way to add your own creative touch on a project. I did a simple organic grid on my pieces, but there are so many beautiful quilting designs to dream up! And with a small project like this, it is a fun opportunity to experiment a bit (you know, before quilting a full quilt!).

I also used fabric handles here instead of webbing. I love using webbing, mostly because it really speeds up a tote project. But sometimes you just gotta use that perfect fabric, in this case it was Essex Yarn Dyed in Flax which I thought was the perfect compliment to this fabric.

Life Lately

I’m having a hard time keeping up these days! I just wrapped up the Sandhill Sling Sew-Along which took place over the past 5 weeks. It sure is fun to hear back from folks. I really do appreciate the support and encouragement because as you might guess it’s a lot of work, fun, but still work. If you know of anyone in the La Crosse, Wisconsin area, I might be looking for some help at my studio (contact me)!

I also just wrapped up my next fabric collection that will release at the end of this year (with fabric arriving at shops in the first few months of 2022 if you can believe that!). I absolutely love stretching my creativity when designing fabric. It doesn’t come easy to me, but I really enjoy the process of working through it.

All in all things are picking up here with vaccines rolling out. I’m anticipating a full summer of family activities! I’m also hoping to release a new pattern next month. Thanks for reading if you made it this far!

---

Project Info

• Pattern: Buckthorn Tote (available in PDF or print format in my shop)
• Fabric: Trail Marker in Pepper from Quarry Trail (designed by me for Robert Kaufman Fabrics), handles are Essex Yarn Dyed in Flax. Lining is Big Sur Canvas in Grayish
• Zippers, zipper pulls, and webbing (if you want!) are all available in my shop, too.

---

Hope you are having a great March! Let me know what you’ve been sewing lately, I’d love to hear!