Projects... featuring the Flora No.6 fabric collection

I’m thrilled to be sharing with you my latest make featuring the painterly florals and classic ginghams from the Flora No.6 collection by Echo Park Paper Co for Riley Blake Designs.

The Flora No.6 collection screamed make me into a bag! Up until this point I had only made a couple of small zipper pouches. But, since last fall I’ve been itching to make an All The Things Tote by Kaitlyn of Knot and Thread Design. The All The Things Tote pattern seemed to be beginner friendly, since it doesn’t involve zippers, so I decided it was the perfect choice to use with the stunning Flora No. collection.

My thought process behind making of the tote...

With the All The Things Tote pattern in mind, I decided to focus primarily on the bold black and white pieces from the Flora No.6 collection, along with a couple of the red pieces. The Flora No.6 collection also includes pretty pinks, blues, yellows and greens. Click here to view the whole Flora No.6 collection. 

Kaitlyn of Knot and Thread Design just happened to be running a sew-along for the All The Things Tote a few weeks ago, around the time I was starting on this bag. After seeing some of the wonderful samples other makers have made on social media, I made the decision to design a floral block to add a little more detail to the totes pockets.

Pocket Detail...

Being inspired by the organic beauty of the Flora No.6 collection and Folk Art Flowers, I designed the Flora Bud Quilt Block Pattern, which is you can get by clicking here. 

Main Body of Tote...

After quilting the pockets for the All The Things Tote, I thought about how I wanted to main body of the bag to look. At first, I was thinking squares on point or diamonds. But, I wanted the blocks on the pockets to be the focal points of the bag. So, I decided to use strips that run horizontal with the bag in varying heights; cutting them at 1-1/4", 1-3/4" and 2-1/2" x WOF.

Once the main body strips of the All The Things Tote was sewn, I trimmed away two pieces for the lining of the side panels. I wanted to use the same strip detail from the outside as a little surprise on the inside of the bag.

Now, came time to quilt the main body of the bag. The strips needed something to break them up a little, so I went back to my original thought of using an on point square layout, to resemble lattice from a garden.

Binding...

To frame the bag, I decided on the Flora No.6 Geometric Raspberry as the binding for the All The Thing Tote. 

Handles...

For the handles, I played up the stripe on stripes by using the Tula Pink webbing by Renaissance Ribbons in black and white. Because who doesn’t love a good stripe! 

Finishing Touches...

As an added bonus, I used the lightweight mesh by ByAnnie in black to add a couple additional pockets on the inside of the All The Things Tote.  Along with adding in a swivel hook on some of the same handle webbing, to be able to clip on keys or a mini boxy pouch for easy access. Plus, a couple of quilting labels: my personal branding label and the With Love Envelope Woven Label by Sarah Hearts. 

Speaking of a mini boxy pouch! I happened to make one of those too!

Coordinating Quilted Boxy Pouch...

I used the Quilted Boxy Pouch Pattern by Laura of Sweet Cinnamon Roses in the mini size. With Flora No. 6 Gingham Yellow as the main body of the pouch and Flora No. 6 Daisies Black as an added accent next to the zipper.

Lastly, once the All The Things Tote and the Quilted Boxy Pouch were made, I had some leftover fabric and wanted to try making a book sleeve. 

Bonus, Book Sleeve...

For the book sleeve, I used the same measurements for the end panels and pockets from the All The Things Tote Pattern. I made an additional Flora Bud Quilt Block for a pocket and two end panels. With a little sewing magic, out came a book sleeve that is the perfect size for a standard hardbound book.

I can’t wait to show off my All The Things Tote with the gorgeous Flora No.6 fabric next month during the First Annual All Texas Shop Hop.

Until next time... Happy Sewing!

xoxo