🎄 Handmade Holiday Sewing Series 🎁 How to sew a large customizable Journey Tote Bag

[@sylviabrown6127]

Lovely

[@sharahzhefanya5851]

Beautiful bag 👍💝💖 i love this bag💝💝💖💖💖

[@lindamcneely]

girlfriend you need a juki sewing machine. it is so nice for sewing thick fabrics and it can go ninety miles an hour. love this machine.

[@Sewspire]

I want one so badly!

[@bangaramnice1153]

Superr

[@jacquelinerojas1722]

You said 18 by 20. 18 width and 20 length?

[@Sewspire]

18" height by 20" wide

[@susangoodin2631]

Super nice bag! Very beautiful fabric!

[@TheJuniper366]

How did you get the quilt batting to stick to your fabric? It doesn’t look like it was quilted at all. Does sewing the pieces together enough to hold it in place?

[@Sewspire]

Yes and the Warm and Natural batting tends to cling to the cotton fabric.

[@amysmdy3918]

Do you have a pattern to sew a basket lining? Amy

[@Sewspire]

I don't. Sorry Amy.

[@loraineleuschke4186]

Totes that are less rigid are easier for me to handle. The silk is beautiful. The entire bag looks so stylish!!!👛👜🎒💼

[@Sewspire]

So glad you like the look Loraine!

[@suzettesingson1002]

I love everything about this tote. The diagonal zipper is SO AWESOME! I can't wait to make this tote! Thank you Andrea for sharing your talent with all of us! I appreciate your generosity more than words can express

[@Sewspire]

So glad you like the bag! Don't forget our live chat tomorrow at 3 p.m. :)

[@Marnie1869]

Great bag for Black Friday shopping.

[@Sewspire]

Oh yes! Good for you for being brave enough to head out on Black Friday!

[@marygeorge9688]

Thanks for sharing!! Fusible fleece?? Batting??

[@marygeorge9688]

Nevermind... I watched further... Warm and Natural Quilt batting... Thank You!!

[@Sewspire]

Yes, that's my go to choice for bags.

[@VSue76]

Great bag- Perfect size- it is very difficult to get big handbags or totes anywhere. I‘m happy i can sew them by myself 😉

[@chasing_happiness]

What type of batting is it? Cotton? Wool?

[@Sewspire]

Cotton; but, Wool is divine!

[@papercrafts4049]

Wow! Great.

[@Sewspire]

Thank you!

[@julz63]

Thank you for such a fabulous (and very soothing) tutorial 🥰 I’m making a satchel from my old denim jeans and my favourite dungarees (that no longer fit😢) It has been the best project I’ve done for myself , practically making it up as I’m going along. It’s been very challenging because I have an acquired brain injury (major car crash Christmas Day 2013) which means I’m forgetting where I’m up to etc. It’s been a bonus too, because where I thought something would work and it didn’t, I tried using in a different place on the bag, and all my “mistakes “ have actually made the bag look so much better than I thought I’d be able to make. I’ve been so challenged mentally, it’s actually been amazing to me to realise just how my brain works now living with a brain impairment. Your method of delivering a tutorial is very much appreciated by me, you are such a calming person to watch, and just watching you take your time over the small things, like clipping off the extra fabric, is something I do too. I am going to make some of these totes as gifts for my grown step children. I know they will love them just as much as I’m going to love making them. Cheers from Julie in Australia 🇦🇺😍

[@Sewspire]

Thank you for writing Julie! I am inspired by your story and so happy you are finding joy as a bag designer. It is truly my passion and I am so pleased that the tutorials are helping you gain new skills and confidence. Awesome news indeed and I hope others will take the time to read! 😍 Andrea

[@lyndaslocum7575]

You made an awesome bag. Very professional job.

[@Sewspire]

Aw, thanks Lynda!

[@anitagreen2263]

I Salute You!!!!!!!!!

[@Sewspire]

Thank you Anita!

[@juliaarnold890]

Gorgeous bag, enjoy using xx

[@Sewspire]

Thank you Julia!

[@sueannchism1128]

Wow! Love this bag & the fabric is so nice 😍

[@Sewspire]

Thank you!

[@suestutzle2779]

What a great idea. Lovely personal tote Andrea. We all need one of those. Now to get the creative juices flowing!

[@Sewspire]

That's awesome Sue! Have fun!

[@pamketron]

❣️🎁 Awesome gift to yourself Andrea. You so very deserve it and many more. I love this fabric combo. The special features you added are perfect. Love the saying it has on it. While carrying the bag on your shoulder, it’s much easier to unzip with it sideways! I love bags of all kinds and have made lots from you teaching me how to do it over the years. Wishing you a Blessed and Happy holiday season. Much love to you sweet friend. Hugs! ❣️🤗🎄❄️

[@Sewspire]

Thank you Pam! I hope you are well and looking forward to the holidays. The angled zippers are easier to use than the horizontal zippers in my opinion. It's fun to experiment and you know I love my bags! Much love to you and yours! Andrea

[@maryannridout2029]

Awesome! Love that funky outside zipper!

[@Sewspire]

So glad you like it Mary Ann!

[@lindamcneely]

I have to tell you that I loveeeeeeee your project book idea! I went to Michaels and bought a larger spiral hard book. I have been using a ruler to create lines to write on. and drawing out certain aspects of patterns also got a couple of inspirational sticker books and have been adding one to each page. this is such a great idea! now I won't have to look all over for that special pattern thank you! maybe a book cover in the future?.

[@Sewspire]

How wonderful! I am so glad you are feeling inspired and enjoy the design book. I am contemplating the cover and hope to create a tutorial for one soon. Thank you for sharing Linda!

[@cathy1679]

Love it 🙋🏻💙

[@Sewspire]

🙏⭐️🌈❤️

[@pamalverson6554]

What is the swing machine you use please? Love your sewing knowledge.

[@Sewspire]

Hello Pam! I use a Janome DC2012.

[@loraineleuschke4186]

Great tote and what a fab 🎁 gift. I probably will keep it.

[@Sewspire]

Me too!

[@janmurry9494]

Love the bag. Great idea!

[@Sewspire]

Thank you Jan! So glad! ❤️

[@jamievanskiver8380]

Oh my goodness I love this bag!😀 I can't wait to make one for myself! I love you're zipper pocket and that saying on the salvage piece is awesome!!! Thank you for another wonderful video! You are such an inspiration😁

[@Sewspire]

So glad you like the bag Jamie! Have fun sewing!

[@PCOH051610]

Beautiful! I love taking a pattern and making it my own so this is great. That offset, slanted pocket has inspired me.

[@Sewspire]

So glad you are feeling inspired!

[@debbielucas2245]

This bag is beautiful thank you so much for sharing.

[@Sewspire]

You are welcome Debbie. I am happy you like it!

[@faithers84]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@Sewspire]

Thank you Chrissy!

[@joannepierce941]

Wow love it Andrea, thankyou so much and love the fabric, great bag. From Jo in the UK 😊

[@Sewspire]

Thank you Jo!

[@andieergarcia3550]

I am so making this and adding some touches of my own!

[@Sewspire]

Yay! Have an awesome time Andiee!

[@MusicaAngela]

"Trust your journey" (We all need to hear that)❤️

[@Sewspire]

Yes ❤️🙏❤️

[@TravelsWithLittle]

Love this project! It is beautiful and practical and I'll be making one for sure!!! I also love what you have done with your studio. It really looks nice.

[@Sewspire]

Thank you Karen! I am working on getting everything organized. Glad you like the bag! ❤️

[@MarieH528]

Gorgeous 💕 Bag- I Love All the Projects that You have Shared. You have Inspired Me on More occasions than I can remember and I've been incorporating so many techniques that You've shared into My Projects. Thank You 😊 See You next time! XX Marie-Wisconsin

[@Sewspire]

This makes me so happy Marie! Thank you for sharing and for continuing to tune in each week. See you next time! XX Andrea