Mar
The wonderful Trish Preston (@trishpreston) of Two Peas in a Pod designs recently contact us here at FQHQ to let us know about the online bag-making course she developed for her blog readers. She recently made available a full e-course that steps its students through her video-based tutorial to make an original Tie-front Tote. We were intrigued, and Brioni and I agreed to make some of Trish’s totes in exchange for two free classes for Fat Quarterly readers! Of course, we wanted to check it out ourselves before passing word along to all of you — and I’ll begin by saying we weren’t disappointed!
I’ll tell you a bit about my experience, and then turn it over to Brioni so that she can show off her creation.
If you’re a reader of my blog, you might know that I’m a bit terrified of making anything three dimensional. Quilts? Sure. But things like bags, toys, and apparel intimidate me. I was a bit reluctant to agree to make a tote bag, but I put all my faith in Trish and my confidence in knowing that she puts out a quality product. And, because I’m a glutton for punishment, I decided to make not one, but two bags. So I stocked up on supplies — some yardage of some gorgeous Tula Pink and Amy Butler fabrics, coordinating thread, and fusible fleece — and got down to it.
To cut right to the chase, I’ll put it bluntly — Trish’s e-course was a lovely experience. Because of the video element — actually watching something be made the proper way versus photos or illustrations — I found it to be far more effective than following a pattern. The course was split up into 3 “classes”, each one presenting a very manageable part of the process. And I would definitely classify this course as beginner-friendly. If you’ve never made a bag before but are interested in giving it a try, I would highly recommend this e-course as a great place to start.
Trish is a great instructor. And to top it all off, Trish’s sewing space is a lovely setting which made for an extremely pleasant viewing experience. It was bright and sunny with a beautiful garden view and a soundtrack of singing birds, making me wish I was right there in Ohio, sewing with Trish!
I made the two bags assembly-line style, and have some gorgeous gifts that are ready to go. They’re not perfect, for sure, but that can be attributed to my lack of experience (and confidence) in bag making. But after Trish’s course, my confidence in tackling future bag projects is fully restored!
And now let’s hear from Brioni, who also took Trish’s course and made a beautiful tote.
Interested in making a Two Peas in a Pod original tie tote of your own? Trish has generously offered a free e-course to two lucky Fat Quarterly readers! Simply leave a comment on this post letting us know what fabrics you’d use to make your tote and what you’d use it for, and we’ll randomly select two winners here on the blog next week. Good luck!
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Cute bags! I’m kind of intimidated by 3-D projects too. I would probably use fabrics from my stash. I have lots of fat quarters from which to choose. It would be neat to make several seasonal bags at once.
I love the bags and the map of London home dec fabric. I have some pretty blue and yellow fabric from my trip to Hawaii that would make a great beach tote. Thanks for the giveaway. Mary
I have some “Pay it forward” gifts to make later this year…..and this bag would be perfect. I’d make one for me for the beach in Moda Reunion.
I am dying to use Parson grey, these bags look like a good travel bag, you can stuff a lot in there!
Oh yes please! And I just love that London fabric. If I could find some of that I would make a bag for a lovely Brit friend currently residing in the US.
I have some fabric with apples all over – I would make it out of that and use it for the farmer’s market this spring/summer!
Cute bags. I have a bag addiction. Always. Want. More. Love the London fabric.
I would use some fabric with quilting notions on it so I could make a bag to take to quilt class!
I have some AB coriander hanging around waiting for a good project. I think this might be it!
I’d love to find some of the London fabric but failing that I’ve just bought some remnants from the sale recently at ‘Lewis and Wood’ which would be perfect!
I have some fabulous Amy Butler that would be perfect for this!!! What a great post. Being a visual learner, I am definitely headed over to check this out!
Really cute bags! I would use some Joel Dewberry Heirloom that I recently purchased and make myself a new craft tote!
Oh, super cute! I love the idea of using it for my crochet projects, too! I’ve got a small stash or Origins fabric left… maybe I’d make it out of that. Although it would be more fun to find some Christmas fabric… since most of my crochet projects are for Christmas presents; I could sneak in a little holiday spirit year round
. Thanks for the giveaway!
Very cute! I’d probably make one for a PIF gift, and possibly one for my mum for her knitting projects. I might use some Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow for it
I love the bag. Not too sure what fabric I would use. I would just have to go shopping, wouldn’t I! The bag would be perfect to taking to my quilting guild. Thanks for the chance.
Beautiful tote. I would love to use some AMH fabric I have been hording. It would be perfect for a bag. I would then use it to bring my crochet or English Paper Piecing with me to work.
I love the river thames fabric in the second bag – but all the bags are lovely – the tie front really adds something to the design. I’d love to make one in some Aviary by Joel Dewbury or if I didn’t have enough of that maybe some Amy Butler. I’d use it for day trips out so I took a bit of something lovely with me every time I was away from home.
Wow, great bags, what a fantastic idea for an online tutorail, I’d love to try it!
I have been needing a new tote from a heavier fabric for my traveling times. Perhaps corduroy, upholstery fabric, or a suede would be cool in this pattern. All those pictured are great, but I especially liked the London map! Thanks for the chance to win.
Fiquei animado para participar,adoraria usar alguns retalhos encorpados que eu tenho já faz tempo.Obrigado.
If I win my excuse would be to finally buy Reunion by Sweetwater. I’ve been eyeing it way to long. I’d use my bag in the summer when we go to the boat to carry my books, magazines, camera, etc. Thanks for the chance to win.
You guys did a great job with your bags!! I can relate to being intimidated by three dimensional sewing. I’ve made a few bags now so it’s not *as* scary. I’d love to make the Tie Tote. Trish’s patterns are so great!!
I’d love to use some of the Terrain fabric I won in One of your previous giveaways to make some bags. Kathie L in Allentown
I have some Sweetwater Hometown fabric and would love to make a summer bag ! thanks!
Not sure what fabrics I would use. Love the UK fabric shown in the sample. Would use that if I can find it. What would I use it for…putting my embroidery work into when I am waiting at Doctor’s offices, etc. All the hurry up and wait times. Thanks for the giveaway.
I just bought a yard of Pernilla’s Journey Unicorn fabric for a bag for my daughter– so that would be my first project if I won this giveaway!! The bow tie really adds to this bag— cute! Thank you for the chance to win!
Hmmmmm, tough choice! I have some Amy Butler Lark waiting to be used, this might be perfect for it!
I have some beautiful fabrics in my stash that would make a few of these bags, so I wouldn’t be buying anything new. I love this pattern! I would enjoy an online course. Thanks.
I have some Amy Butler fabric that I would love to use. I would like to ask a question how do people use or watch these videos if the computer isn’t in the same room as the sewing is done. I was wondering if I could use a portable DVD player and download the video onto a DVD disc from the computer. Could anyone answer my question?
To answer your question about downloading the video to a DVD – I think – but not positive – that you can’t download these to record on a DVD.
HOWEVER, good news, there is a quite a bit of supporting text so you can print out all of the text and then watch the videos and sew. I don’t think its necessary to have the video playing while you sew because truly, if you watch it and then use the supporting text – you’ll do great!
I have some amazing floral Kokka, with a pretty grayish-blue for lining… they’d be beautiful in this… (as I actually have them set aside for a bag anyway).
Super cute tote! I think I would use some of ty pennington’s first line that I’ve had tucked away…
I’m loving the look of this bag!! I would like to make something for summer!
Fbulous vags! No one would guess you two are not pro bag sewists! I love making all projects.
This is a very cool bag. THe London fabric is to die for!
super cute! I don’t know of any fabric in particular, but I’d go for something pink and floral-y.
I love making bags! I have a fancy for Ruby at the moment that might be calling my name!
As I can’t go to a guild workshop I had booked as I’m away I ‘d love to do this workshop. I already have some linens picked out for the workshop.
You guys did a super job!! and you make it sound so nice that I was already wishing I was in Ohio
Now I know that is not going to happen but next best thing hey? I have been wanting to make a bag forever, but something is holding me back (probably thinking that I can’t do the difficult stuff – like anything that is not a quilt – ha !), so this would be great! What would I use it for? I’d show off my first one in June at the FQ meeting and make some more for friends. That was the easy question. Fabric? That is harder… I have some Wonderland Teatime Tomato Homedec in Red I am hoarding.. Also some Arcadia, but I think that I would have to buy some more for the perfect bag (that would be such a shame, wouldn’t it, lol!) and I have seen some great fabric with dogs on. I think it is from the same company as Brioni’s fabric (not 100% sure though). They have some great prints and I saw some at a quilt show but managed to restrain myself from buying them.. and who is regretting it now?… It would be a great reason to still do so. I can just SEE the bag in those prints and they would be fab! Thanks for the chance to win and the nice review.
Lovely bags! I have some Melody Miller transistor radio fabric which I think would look great for this bag. The bow I’d make in a solid, I think, to let the print take center stage.
I have some Vintage Modern and some Twirl that need projects.. although I could totally see this in corduroy for a snuggly winter tote bag (and it’s just turned to Autumn here in Aus, so the timing is pretty great
I would use “awning/blind fabric” (sorry that is a very free translation from what we call it) it’squite sturdy, not so easy to sew but managable, preferably in stripes. I would use it (once summer is there) for my “beach stuff”, ok it’s just for the lake not the sea.
I have some aviary fabric that needs a fantastic project! Looks like fun!
I too have been intimidated by the idea of sewing a tote…this is something that I will be checking out in the very near future…I have some Terrain fabric that would make a lovely bag…I am just now learning to crochet and this would make a great way to keep all of my supplies and projects together for on-the-go stitchery…thank you for this giveaway.
I have some of that very fabric Brionni used that was a gift from a friend in Belfast (I am in the States). I would love to use it on a bag. I would use it as an everyday bag. Such fun!!!
great bags. I love Brioni fabric too. hugs
All of these bags are so lovely! I have some Echino here that would be perfect:)
I have been trying to work up the courage for a bag for a while, so this might be just what I need… I like the idea of the corduroy inside (I can never have enough corduroy)… I just got a canvas like black and white giraffe print for the front and black and white stripe for the tie
Such sweet bags. Perfect for my small knitting projects
I have some Red Riding Hood fabric that would be perfect for this project.
Love that London bag.
I have some lovely corduroy which would make a perfect bag
Susanne
Beautiful bags. I’m in love with the new Parson Gray Curious Nature Trade Blanket in the Smoke colorway, and would love to have a bag made out of it.
I would have to search my stash, but I have a wonderful Kokka Kids print that I am dying to use, so I would see it is was do-able! Thanks for the chance to win!!
I would love a bag in the Map of London fabric Brioni used, but alas I have none. I do have some other travel inspired fabrics in my stash though, so maybe one of those would work just as well. It sounds like a great online course in any case. Would love to win one of the spots!
These bags are cute, and I’m always on the search for a new bag. I think I’d make these with some Amy Butler Love I have floating around my sewing room.
I have some sea/ocean fabric picked out for my next bag, just looking for the right pattern (love this one) and a bit of time!
I would quite like to win this course if that would be all right with everyone else. ‘K? Thanks.
Would love to try one of these! I think the pezzy prints would make an adorable bag.
What beautiful bags! I would use some colorful fabrics I found in Austria last month.
I have not yet made a proper ‘girly’ bag so this would be the perfect place to start! I would use some of the olive green and purple/aubergine fabrics I have in my stash. Yum
Thanks for the chance to win!!
Wow! Lovely bag projects! I’d use some of my stash – I’d love to make this in some of the batiks that I have lurking and waiting for a special project. Then I’d use it for taking tea and entertainment with me when I’m being a ‘ballet mum’ and sitting in the waiting room for my DD’s to finish dancing!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I thought I had entered on Sunday, but I can’t find my name. Love the bag and would love to see how the course works. It would be made with Joel Dewberry Heirloom fabrics – quite a stretch for the pattern.
I have been wanting to take a tote/purse class and this one (without zippers???) looks my speed. Thanks for the chance!
I would use two of my favorite fabrics for Stitched In Color and then use it for a bag to carry my granddaugher’s things when she is out with me.
This is a lovely tote! I would love to make one using Denyse Schmidt fabrics – Daisy Mae or Fairgrounds. Thanks for offering this giveaway!
A cute tote I am not sure what fabrics I would use but I like the travel style that Brioni used in her tote.
This looks like a wonderful project. I, too, think bags are a little intense to work on, but do enjoy the end result. There are so many wonderful fabrics to choose, maybe Verona for Riley Blake Designs. Thanks for opportunity!
I’ve got some Sweetwater Reunion fabric waiting to be made into a bag. A cream canvas with the colorful dates, and a yellow bunting print for the lining!
Such a nice bag. These would be great gifts for christmas esp for sewers, knitters and library goers — If I ever did christmas gifts before say dec 20
I have some great denyse schmidt fabric and some amy butler lark to make at least one . i really like the map fabric and might have to look for some
Would LOVE to win the class. I want to make my sister in law and niece bags for their birthdays from this pattern.
LOVE these totes! i adore the london print. I would actually make this for my sis, who just gave up an international job to move out to Seattle!
I think I might use some Kona solids, probably blues and/or greens for a tote to keep my library books in.
I would love to make a bag! I also am scared of them. I even went so far as to cut one out once. It has been ignored like a naughty child for months and months. Taking a class would be great. I’d like to use home dec fabric, or some Tula Pink Prince Charming, which I love.
I have a few birthday gifts needed in the next few months and these totes would be great. i haen’t done an e-class yet so it would be nice to try one for free! i would use some fabric i have, i don’t know the name, that looks like ligned paper and then embroider some message on the front.
donna
Would use the bag to transport stuff back and forth to my mom’s rehab. Mostly mail and business or is it busyness papers to and from her.
I would use batiks from my too too large stash.
I would love to try this! The thought of a video class is a little intimidating, but you’ve made it sound really good!
SUPER CUTE BAG!!! Im totally a bag junkie. I would probably use obscure fabric from my stash that even the folks at Free Spirit couldn’t identify… But I LOVE it and it is super pretty. So, that is what it would be. OR I would use some Celebrate Seuss. And it would be my go-to bag instead of the diaper bag.
I would make the bag for a co-teacher using Verona by Emily Taylor.
My sf fabric. Greetings, tina
I would use my many fabrics I have.. Maybe the zebra prints & polka dots.
I would give it as a gift!
I would love to win this prize. I am just learning to sew and I would love to be able to make one of these.
I would use fabric from my stash. I have a cute home dec summer fabric that would be ideal.
What I’d like to do is use fabrics from the Curious Nature line by David Butler (Free Spirit). I’d use the bag for just about everything.
Great bags!! I would use some great fabrics from my stash that I purchased and have been waiting for a great bag project to use them with!! I would use it to tote around some of my quilting and redwork projects. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I’d love to win this e-course! I’ve never made a bag, but would be happy to try. I’d use Moda’s new California Girl line and take this bag on a cruise!!
Yes, this is just the gift I need for a cousin’s daughter. She is in ballet classes-wouldn’t she love this tote! The purple swirl fabric is a perfect match for this tote.
I really like the bag with the tie. I would like to make it. Maybe some Anna Maria Horner fabrics. I enjoy your blog, so motivating!
Cute bags! I’ve been adoring the new grey and yellow fabrics out and would make a summer tote for everyday use.
I’ve thinking about trying a purse but haven’t found the opportunity yet.. This one is lovely. I have a very interesting linen in yellows and browns and I need a bag with long handles for when I go to the library to borrow books for my son.
I bought some lucious hand-dyed batiks at the International Quilt Festival in Houston last year and I would use these to create a unique knitting tote for my current knitting project.
What a great giveaway! I absolutely love the Salt Air line from Moda, so I think I would use that!
Like so many others, i have huge stash… with some vintage prints of women – being the perfect housewife… I must use that.. as I am sooo not the perfect housewife. I’d create my bad to carry my yarn to my kids events and have lots to talk about!
I would love to take the class… I do so much better if I can see someone demonstrate vs. trying to read a pattern. I have tons of old Moda prints that would be adorable bags.
What a beautiful bag! I’d love to make one of these. There’s so many pretty fabrics around right now, I might just have to make more than one
I’d use my bag every day knowing it’s unique! Thanks for the chance…
I have some amazing vintage fabric in shages of red, some flowers and some check! I think they would look amazing together.