Last evening I took another bag making class like I did a month ago (see posts Did something awesome – took an in person crafting class! and Adventures in Bag Making: Range Backpack DONE!) at a Denver quilt shop.
This time we worked on the Firefly Tote by Noodlehead. A month ago I shared photos of the quilt shop’s class sample of the tote:


The pattern has instructions for two sizes – a smaller “project” size; and a larger “tote” size. I figured I would make the tote size.
I decided to make it in the same fabrics as the Range backpack also by Noodlehead that I made in the previous class and here are photos in progress during the class last night:


That was as far as I got (photo above) during class and I still need to make the lining and the drawstring topper. I found the “blingy” gold handles at the quilt shop and they go with the shiny gold zipper I used also in my coordinating backpack, also found at the quilt shop.
One class attendee got way farther than I did, and she was making the “project” size tote bag. Here is her nearly finished adorable project size bag being held up by our wonderful instructor:

Another student in the class brought her finished Range backpack to class and it was so cool I had to photograph it – she has it lined with a custom Yellowstone map fabric she found on Spoonflower:
If you are just joining us, here is the Range backpack I finished a couple weeks ago from the class I took a month ago. As you can see my Firefly Tote will coordinate with it:

And speaking of backpacks, I am currently working on a commission project of a scrappy Tula Pink Range backpack for a gift for someone who is a Tula Pink aficionado. The family member who commissioned it as a surprise gift asked me to include lots of Tula Pink fabrics. I am trying my best but I have a limited range of her fabric lines (but lots of scraps!)

Here is my design wall in progress as I work on piecing together/creating my own “fabric” to start cutting the sections for the backpack:

This is just a little bit of the fabrics I am using, it will be super scrappy. I am going to first make “fabric” from the scraps and do some simple quilting on it to reinforce it before I start cutting sections for the backpack pieces. I will share a photo when it is done!
I have to set finishing my Firefly Tote from last night’s class aside for now as I need to get the backpack done and shipped so they can surprise their sister for Christmas!
Are you working on any last minute December projects?
Oooh, I am very curious how that scrappy bag will turn out!
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Well I might change direction – it will still be scrappy but might need to use bigger pieces. I will save the 3.5 inch blocks I pieced for a scrappy Tula Pink quilt in the future!
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I am still curious!
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I will be posting hopefully soon been working constantly on this backpack!
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Those bags are super cool!
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They are and thanks for stopping by and will update what happens with my bag 🙂
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I am so inspired by your photographs of examples of bags. That map fabric !!! But I am most impressed that you are first creating fabric from Tula Pink scraps to make a bespoke bag. What a labour of love
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I know the map fabric was amazing. Thanks so much and I might have to change direction a bit on the backpack and use larger pieces. I’ll post about as I make progress. 🙂
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I absolutely LOVE the Yellowstone fabric. How cool is that? These are great bags. Functional and really funky.
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I know – the bag look even cooler in person!
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Love these bags and your Tula Pink bag will be amazing. I’m done with Christmas presents but making Christmas/winter placemats for us!
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I am envious you are all done and placemats sound fun! Thanks for stopping by!
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I love the bags. It makes me want to make one!
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You can do it! The pattern is sort of tedious but then it finally makes sense after a while 🙂
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Cool bags!
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Thanks you 🙂
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My goodness those bags are terrific.Love your gold handles.
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Thanks so much!
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The bags are looking good. So many fun fabrics!
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Thanks so much and thanks on behalf of the other class attendees 🙂
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Your backpack turned out just beautiful, and the tote bag is looking great so far too! Can’t wait to see it finished, and the Tula Pink bag as well 🙂
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Thanks so much! I have been working late into the evening to get this commission piece done and I cannot wait to see it finished also – ha!
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It will be beautiful!
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That’s what I love about you Tierney! As talented as you are at sewing you just keep learning more. You never get to the point that you seem to feel you know it all, you will be teaching your own classes one day, or at least you should! I would come to your classes. The bags are gorgeous as always.
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Thanks so much for your kind words! I only know 0.000000000028% so I have a long way to go – ha! 🙂
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Wow! Those are some nice looking bags. I love the map fabric 😍
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Thanks so much!
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Can’t wait to see the scrappy fabric backpack, its going to be so colourful
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Thanks so much I am burning the midnight oil working on it!
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The scrappy fabric backpack seems like it will be very cool — can’t wait to see it 🙂
and I like the inside of the bag with the Yellowstone map fabric – subtle
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Thanks so much and I do get it done and my previous post was about it. Yes that Yellowstone map fabric is amazing thanks for stopping by!
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🙂
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