Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: Poolside Tote

Image
By

Hi there! I'm sure your world has been turned upside down by Covid-19, just as mine has here in Florida. It is wild how quickly things can change...in a matter of days our house went from being so busy, shuttling kids here and there, to now, we have absolutely nothing on our schedule! It's been very nice to have a forced break, however I know that it is coming at a huge cost.

Seven months ago, my dad passed away in a bicycling accident. Losing someone so quickly and unexpectedly is incredibly hard; that grief has been a tremendous weight that I carry around each day. If I can help prevent someone from having to lose their loved one to Covid-19, I will! Our family has taken the social distancing that the United States has implemented very seriously so that we can help alleviate the demand that has been placed on the hospitals and the medical industry. All that to say, I write this sewing post today, completely aware that there are serious, life altering current events happening worldwide right now and my heart goes out to each and every one of you who is struggling with the changes that our world is facing!


Switching gears completely, let me share a little bit of the sewing that I have been doing in my new found free time. This is the poolside tote by Anna Graham, a pattern that I have sewn numerous times, but never have I sewn one for myself!


When I was shopping for fabric, I originally looked for some linen that I could wax with otterwax and make my bag waterproof. Once I sewed the bag up, though, I loved the way it looked without anything added to it. I love that the bag is very neutral and will go with anything I have on!


The fabric that I used is all out of stock...however peek around Fabric Mart and I'm sure you'll find something similar. Here's a link to their linen page and the accent and lining fabric I used was a cotton chambray The metal zipper I used was also from Fabric Mart.


I'm sure that I will get asked, the Flower Map of the United States that you see behind the bag is from an artist in Saint Augustine, Jenna Alexander.



I hope that you are doing well as we are all hunkering down and doing our best to help get through these ever changing times!

Teresa Behr @dandeliondrift

P.S. Thank you so much Fabric Mart for the great materials to make this bag!

Comments

  1. Pat GottshalkMarch 25, 2020 at 10:42 AM

    Great post. What a wonderful idea to get started on a bag for Summer fun. I looked at Teresa's pics from her IG acct. I am yearning her beautiful borderprint sleeveless shirt.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ann BrodskyMarch 25, 2020 at 12:41 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear about your father, Teresa. Thank you for sharing your experience and your concerns.
    Your bag is beautiful. I love that you kept it simple- it looks very elegant. Take care!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made by a Fabricista: Structure

By
Hi everyone!  I can’t believe the year is nearly wrapping up already and this is my last post for 2024! You may have noticed but the barrel silhouette has been very much in right now from pants to sleeves.  To be honest I was a little bit hesitant about hopping on to the trend.  One I was not sure if the proportions would work for my body also I considered would this be a long lasting trend to keep incorporated in my closet?  But after a few seasons the barrel seems to stay in many variations, I think exaggerated proportions are such a thing now.  I saw this Cult Gaia x Gap denim dress collab with the barrel sleeves and wanted to remake it.  When I saw this brown distressed denim twill I knew it was perfect.  I had been debating between making cargo pants but I wanted to try to do something different and went for the dress once I saw the inspiration.   I used McCall’s pattern 8139 as my base with the following modifications.  Instead of...
10 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: A Wool Pinafore for Winter

By
Hello exciting wintry weather! Brrr, though. For my December post, I wanted to sew something more unusual for me, something outside my wide leg pants and big boxy sweaters, and this pinafore combination is exactly that. I really like the layering aspect and how easily one could switch up the look based on the top worn underneath, and how this pinafore pattern could easily work for all seasons based on fabric choice and possibly adding leggings. The new Love Notions Pianoforte Jumper in this incredibly charming polka dot wool blend suiting is just right. I wanted wool for warmth, and the sweet print just sent me. Of course a pinafore looks SO darling in dots. The Pianoforte is a slightly-cocoon shaped dress with princess seams and some large and handy front inset pockets. There is a zip-front option, but I went with the pullover plain front. I love the vintagey, sort of old-timey vibes of this style, and categorize this one under dopamine dressing.  Because the wool is on the heavi...
3 comments
Continue Reading »

Made By A Fabricista: Cozy Sewing Season

By
The cozy sewing season seems like it came early this year! Temperatures in Pennsylvania have been in the freezing range for weeks, so it is time to break out the flannel, sweater knits, sherpa, wool, and other warm fabrics. Fabric Mart's website is stocked with gorgeous cozy fabric perfect for sewists living in cold climates. While searching for fabric for my first cozy sew of the season, a Cranberry Plaid 100% Cotton Flannel fabric caught my eye. I loved the colors and the plaid pattern. I ordered 3.5 yards to make a button-up flannel shirt for myself, and a little extra fabric to make a button-up shirt for my son. I also ordered two packs of 10 Soft Pearl Plastic Shirt Buttons and "My Mama Made It" sewing labels from Kylie and the Machine. I envisioned one of these labels being added to the side seam of my son's shirt for a bespoke detail. Once my order arrived, I washed my fabric and reached for my Grainline Studio Archer Button-Up paper pattern. I used this pat...
3 comments
Continue Reading »