Library-Love Tote

Since we moved to this house over a year ago I've been trying to remind myself to go check out our local library.  I love libraries and spent many afternoons at the one in my hometown growing up.  I was very lucky growing up cuz our library was huge, so I was a little hesitant to try out a new one.  Well I finally went to said new one and not to be cliche but I shouldn't have judged it by its cover.  It's an adorable cozy little library with a personality of its own.  One of the librarians was even nice enough to give me a tour, it being my first time and all.  This library hosts a ton of community programs.  They even have an adult quiet reading room on the second floor away from all the kids downstairs.  Oh and it's also right next to Lilacia Park.  (Side note - The town I live in is known as the lilac village and yes we have an entire garden/park full of just lilacs.  We even have a lilac festival in the spring with a parade, lilac queen, a craft fair and more!  I'll post some stuff about it later cuz I'm running my first 5K during the festival too.  Wish me luck.)  I can't wait for spring to grab and new book and do some reading amongst the bloomin trees.

Anyway, lets not get sidetracked here, Anita.  I decided with my renewed love for all things library I would have to make myself a library bag to carry all my goodies in.  I've been wanting to do some embroidery work lately so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone.  Here's what I came up with.

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.
It will never fail you. - Frank LLoyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright is by far my favorite architect so when I was looking through nature quotes on the internet and stumbled upon one from him it just seemed perfect.  Sadie and I also love bunnies, although I'm sure it's for different reasons.

I forgot to take process pictures but here's the lowdown.  The bag is made from heavy weight organic cotton canvas and lined with a simple blue cotton.  It's got nice wide straps to carry heavy loads of books and a little pocket inside to hold my keys and wallet so I don't have to take a purse too.  Genius!

I did the embroidery work first.  I find it easier to add a little interfacing to flimsy cotton when I'm doing embroidery work for added stability.

When that was done I squared up my patch and turned the sides under by about a 1/2 inch.  Starch was really handy in keeping those edges tamed.  Then I did applied a double sided fusible interfacing to the back of the embroidered panel and ironed it to the outside fabric of my bag.  A little top stitch around the edge and the panel was done.

The rest was just putting together a standard lined tote. (There's tons of tutes for these.  Just google it)  All in all it took me about a weekend with all the hand stitching I did.  Pretty easy and straight forward but I have to say this bag is my current favorite thing.  As always this craft is Sadie approved.

What was the last unexpected thing that inspired you?

Craft on!
Anita

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