Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Solids-Only Tote Challenge Inspiration & Resources

Inspiration and resources for participants in the Solids-Only Tote Challenge.





Solid Applique Magic:
Fresh and stylish examples...

Felt Gadget Cozy PDF pattern with four applique designs
[source]
Simple and pretty designs in solid colors 
of felt.  I love that thistle!
Birds 14x14 -White Linen Pillow cover
[source]
OMG!  So cute, right?
Check out Sukan's etsy store for lots more
applique inspiration.
Sukan / Pen Pattern Pillow Cover - 12x20
[source]
Another pillow from Sukan's etsy store.
It looks a bit like hard boiled eggs to me,
but I love the yellow and grey combo.
009
[source]
Check out the stitching in the tree trunk 
and branches.  The tutorial shows you how 
to translate a pencil sketch into applique.

Hmmm. . .
this looks familiar!
Bric's Margherita - Yellow Patchwork Canvas and Leather Tote Bag
[source]
From Bric's Margherita collection.
I love the color combo and stitching.

Pinned Image
[source]
Jaisalmer Tote
This would look good in solids.

Pinned Image
[source]
Sweet and understated.
Ooh la la 16x16inch pillow recycled felt applique pillow - oatmeal and red
[source]
Bold text makes a statement.
IMG_6730
[source]
Oh Fransson is an awesome
 mega-source of quilting 
and applique information.
Be sure to check it out!
FELT NECKLACE with freeform embroidery on co-ordinating wire necklace
designedbyjane etsy shop is full of 
gorgeous felt applique.  
With simple french knots and 
long stitches you can add interest and 
details to your solids.

Solid Patchwork Magic:
Are you ready to be inspired?

From The Purl Bee
tutorial included
Not done in solids, but the addition of piping
and lace trims, not to mention the doilies, 
really adds interest to a relatively simple design.
Product Image
[source]
Fossil Quinn Patchwork foldover clutch.
Patchwork stripes are very cool.

[source]
 Diane von Furstenberg 
Patchwork Haircalf Tote
Wicked chevrons, eh?
Pinned Image
[source]
Quilt by Denyse Schmidt
Reminds me of a Chuck Close painting.
Colorful Patchwork III  Mug rug - Mini quilt - Coaster- Candle Mat - Wall Art - patchwork art
[source]
The color pallet and the quilting make this
a real eye-catcher.  
Plain Spoken 2(a)
[source]
Rectangles can be just as cool as squares.


Balenciaga Handbag in Vintage Patchwork Lambskin
[source]
Balenciaga Handbag in 
Vintage Patchwork Lambskin
Monochromatic with zig-zag top-stitching.
[source]
Amber Gay Original
Wonky patches trimmed in black.
[source]
Linda Suzann Designs
Hand-quilted bag.
Simple and lovely.
[source]
Linda Suzann Designs
A simple square grid is "amped up" with 

strategically placed accent squares.
7 For All Mankind Edgemont Tote
[source]
7 For All Mankind Edgemont Tote
This herringbone pattern rocks!
ZANY Patchwork Quilt Bag Modern Rag squares Diaper Knitting Market XL Custom Tote 3 Interior Pockets Firm Bottom Base Baby Shower tagt team
[source]
This would look great in solids as well.
colorful horizon handbag
[source]
The colors, the shape,
the design, the cuteness....


Free Tote Patterns and Tutorials:
More patterns than you can shake a stick at!

Click to Enlarge
The Angela Shoulder bag Tutorial
Tote tutorial and reverse
applique lesson all-in-one!


SOHO Slouch Tote tutorial
Skip to my Lou has complied
10 free tote patterns.



Roomy, pleated bag
I love this free pattern from 
Warehouse Fabrics Inc.
Spring Tote Tutorial
The Library Tote tutorial
Oversized Beach Tote By maidenjane.blogspot.com
Tipnut has compiled
16 free tote patterns.
Pam, current challenge participant,
Has a great tote tutorial.


Keren has compiled her own
bag tutorial lists in
Not Your Average Totes:
Thinking outside the box...

Ethnic Applique Vegan Tote Bag
[source]
Melie Bianco
Ethnic Applique Vegan Tote Bag
drikab grass jute basic tote
[source]
DrikaB
Grass Jute Basic Tote
Miss Sassy, Crazy Quilted Purse, Patchwork African Prints Batik Fabric Tote Bag
[source]
Miss Sassy's Tote
[source]
Unique, eh?
[source]
Anuk Harvey Tote
Not for the faint of heart!

Pinned Image
[source]
Kate Spade
Tropical Jezibel Tote
Down Home tote, #P180
[source]
Down Home Tote
Pattern $7.50
Note the knots in the
handles.  Cute!
Misty-F felted handbag OOAK
[source]
lovely shape.
Pinned Image
[source]
Tote by Modalu
Tote+Ruffles=Cuteness!
Kallisto bag in stripe canvas and Orange leather
[source]
Cool handles!


Solids-Only Tote Challenge Homepage

Due to the incredible friends, success, fun, knowledge, and inspiration we gained from the previous
Retro Pillow Challenge, Keren and I have decided to bring you the:


This Challenge is now closed.  Please see a list of all the finished totes and vote for your favorite HERE.
Guidelines:
PROJECT:  Tote bag
THE KICKER:  You must use solid colors only, no prints!
TECHNIQUES:  Use at least one of the following:  Applique, Reverse Applique, or Patchwork.
VOTING:  A Polldaddy poll will be set up to determine the winner.
PRIZES:  Winner(s) will receive bragging rights and a snazzy button!

Timeline:
START: November 1st, 2011
LAST DAY FOR SUBMISSION:  November 30th, 2011
VOTING:  December 1-31, 2011
WINNER ANNOUNCED:  January 2012

Tools:
Please visit the Solids-Only Tote Challenge Inspiration & Resource Page here.
What you'll find there:
  • Applique gallery and tutorials 
  • Patchwork gallery and tutorials
  • Tote bag gallery and tutorials
Participants are utilizing a common pinterest board to display inspirational photos, works in progress, and finished totes.

Participants easily keep in touch through a google discussion group.

Count me in!  How do I sign up?
Simply comment below or email Keren or Rikka the answers to these questions:  

  1. Your name
  2. Where you're from
  3. You, in a nutshell
  4. Your blog/website name(s) and URLs
  5. How you heard about the Solids-Only Tote Challenge
  6. URL for an image to represent you or email one we can use
Grab a button:

tote challenge
The Dos:

  • Do adhere to the challenge's guidelines.  
  • Do be friendly and check out your fellow participants' blogs, pinterest boards, facebook pages, twitters and spread some love!
  • Do grab a button for your blog.
  • Do conctact one of your lovely hostesses (Keren or Rikka) if you have any questions or concerns.
The Don'ts:
  • There is only one don't:  Don't take this too seriously.  We're here to socialize, learn and have fun!
Meet the Challenge Participants:

Pam from Australia 
and author of:
I've just retired after 30+ years of Teaching, so for the first time in my life, I can wake up each day and decide how I will spend all the free time that I have. Amazingly, I wonder how I had time to fit in work. The majority of my spare time is divided between sewing, gardening and spending time on my computer. I've bought a motor bike this year and am going to relearn how to ride in retirement.  I haven't ridden for about 20 years.
Jill from Australia 
and author of:
My name is Jill and although originally from England I'm now proudly Aussie and living in Cairns!  I sew and I blog. I strongly believe that anyone can do anything they truly want to - so try to post tutorials to help others believe they too can create and sew whatever they desire! I'm also a HUGE fan of upcycling and love making things out of old clothes - and anything else I find and hoard! I'm always learning more about sewing - and can't wait to learn even more through this challenge!
Rhonda from Oklahoma 
and author of:
Nonnie Rhonie's House
I'm a christian wife, mom, & Nonnie.  
Last yr I left my full time job to care for my oldest daughter, who was left with a brain injury from diabetes.  I love to crochet, sew, cook, and fish with my honey.  I'm excited to be a part of this challenge.
Jennifer from Texas 
and author of:
I moved to Texas in July to get married to an amazing guy. Thats when I started my blog . I wanted an outlet for my creativity and a way to meet new people.
Lakshmi from India 
and author of:
Aspiring freelance fashion designer planning to launch own clothing line in near future. I blog about the 2 loves of my life - Daughter and Sewing!
Gia from Greece 
and author of:
A compulsive crafter, addicted to fabric, beads and ribbon (mostly) who wishes there were more hours in the day.   
Eddie from Arkansas 
and author of:
The Arkansas Man Quilter

I'm a male quilter from the South (I know, sounds like an oxymoron), love to quilt, longarm all my own quilts, and have way too much fabric.
Amy from Arizona 
and author of:
Mo Momma
I'm a 30 something working mom of 2 adorable boys age 4 (KidMo) and 7 mos (BabyMo). I am also married to the Man of my Dreams (aka MoDaddy) and very blessed to have him in my life.
Tori from Florida 
and author of:
I'm a self-taught sewer just trying to live my life creatively.  I'm addicted to sewing handbags and pouches, and blogging!
Gray from Germany 
and author of:
Creative, crazy, flea market junkie and now a new upside down mama!
Juanita from New Zealand 
and author of:

Teacher, actor, writer, traveler, dreamer, ukulele player, beagle owner, wife, organic gardener, knitter, weirdy and all round busy woman...
Christie from New York 
and author of:
Describe Happy
I have been sewing for as long as I can remember; it's my therapy, my strength, my reminder of how amazing it is to create something when you start with simple materials.  I can typically be found sewing several large quilts at once and also recently struck out into fiber painting as a way to create smaller art quilts.  I'm excited to be a part of this endeavor and look forward to stretching my creative muscles to rise to the challenge!
June from Iowa 
and author of:
CreationsbyJune
 I live in Iowa and am from Oregon. I am surviving being the mother to a 17 yr old and 23 yr old boy and firmly believe in covering the gray they have caused! I love to paper craft, refinish furniture, create and have really started sewing again in the last 6 months and LOVE it!

Tanya from Thailand 
and author of:
Craft Couture by T.C.
I'm a full-time university instructor/researcher who have found a new passion "sewing" about two years ago when I tried to prove to myself that I could do anything if I put my mind into it (I used to hate sewing due to my childhood's experience in home economics class). I like learning new things and challenging myself. I'm also a fabrics- and crafts books addicted. :))
Adrianne from Michigan 
and author of:
Happy Hour Projects
I am an adventurer, a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a writer, a craft-a-holic, a full-time employee, and most recently a blogger! I loved craft projects with my mom growing up, and my dear Gram taught me how to quilt. So my induction into the sewing world was a patriotic quilt that we still take to every picnic - and it still gets compliments. Since then, I've branched out into all sorts of crafts, but as my blog implies - I like quick projects. My favorite ones take an hour or less, and I generally make a couple a week - mostly for my 8-month old daughter. She's a beautiful inspiration!
Tanya from Australia 
and author of:
Name Name is Tanya. I am from Brisbane Australia. I am a mum and grandma. I love to create beautiful things for my home, as well as my family and friends.
Stephanie from The Netherlands
and author of:
When I moved from the UK to The Netherlands I needed something to fill my time with. I started sewing small things as a hobby but eventually had so many small toys and things that I had no space to store things any more as I live in a student room. So I decided to start selling them on etsy and it also helps fund me buying new materials to make more new things! I also find sewing to be a great break from my job, as I sit at my computer most of the day working on website designs.
Kristin from Australia
and author of:
I am Kristin from Tasmania, Australia.  I am a wife, a mother to a very busy little two year old boy and a novice with a sewing machine.
Gwen from Virginia
and author of:
I've been sewing recklessly since I was 8, but I've taken a couple years off from sewing and am so happy to be crankin' up my little gal again.

Keren from Israel 
and author of:
I have worked for nine years as a Software Developer, but I am now on a break, sewing ceaselessly and loving every moment. Until two years ago, I thought I wouldn't enjoy sewing! I got into it when I decided to shorten the hem on a pair of jeans. I was so proud of myself, and the rest is history!
Rikka from Montana 
and author of:
I am a wife, a mom, and a small town girl from Montucky who loves to sew handbags.




























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