Today I took on the Simple Tote from “Bend-the-Rules Sewing.” And I learned that the definition of “simple” is variable, depending upon your level of experience and comprehension.

I got turned around a few times on the project. I put the lining and the facing together the wrong way, so the raw edges are on display on the inside of the bag. And when I stitched all the pieces together and turned it right-side-out, I found that I’d trapped the handles in the tote’s insides. I had to fish them out and improvise, because I didn’t want to take the whole thing apart. (Because I’m lazy.)

The book calls for two different fabrics for this project. I came home with two from the fabric store, but I didn’t like them together when I started working. So I used all polka-dots, and I think it’s pretty cute even without the contrast.

It’s a smaller bag than I’d pictured (I’m not so good with envisioning dimensions), but it’ll work quite well as a little tote for Poppy.

I have quite a bit of the polka-dot fabric left over, so I may try to make another one tomorrow, to see if I can get everything right. Now, though, I have to disassemble my “sewing room” before Poppy wakes up from her nap.

Smockity-smock

I cut out the pattern for the kids’ smock from “Bend-the-Rules Sewing” the other day before I discovered the missing bobbin case. So when my new bobbin case arrived today, I was able to hit the sewing machine right away.

I started out by sewing together the wrong parts to make the armholes. And thus, I became familiar with the seam ripper very quickly. I had to use it several other times, too, such as when I completely missed the body of the smock when I tried to stitch on the bias tape.

I had some difficulties with the machine itself, too. I think the tension is set wrong — at least, that was my mother-in-law’s long-distance diagnosis. I’m going to take it to her for an in-person check-up this weekend.

I still have a few rough bits to fix, and the stitching is a little wacky in places. Overall, though, I’m pretty happy with the little smock. The fabric isn’t what I would have chosen if I wasn’t exclusively shopping the clearance rack. (I’ll be doing that until I feel a bit more proficient.) But it’s going to work very well for its intended task — keeping P’s clothes clean at art time.