The Maker's Tote: a pattern review

It had been a long time since I'd made a bag, much less two of the same pattern! I wanted to make a special gift for a friend, though and had pinned this Maker's Tote pattern by Noodlehead recently and I knew this was what I wanted to make.

Luckily, my Hawaii fabric store sells a lot of Cotton & Steel prints! I picked out a few favorites and got to work. Here is how my first version, the larger option, turned out!

I absolutely love it and what's more, I loved making it!! There was nothing frustrating about this pattern, everything fit together just like it was supposed to. This is pdf pattern and you don't even have to print and tape a bunch of pieces! She includes measurements for cutting, so you will need a rotary cutting set. And there is a template for rounding the corners.

And the inside!! Let's admire these fab pockets, shall we??

So many great pockets! There's also a zipper pocket on the back exterior that I don't have a photo of. The purpose of this tote is obvious by the name, I think. I made my friend the large one because I think she'll use it mostly for larger projects, like quilts (it's that big!) She'll be able to tote projects around and work on them anywhere.

A few things to note. First, I added the little tab on the end of the zipper. The pattern calls for a separating zipper, but it's really not necessary that it separate, a normal zipper will work as long as it's long enough for the bag to still open fully. Second, the pattern calls for fusible flex foam in the interior. I don't have access to that here, didn't have time to order it, and I like to use what I have on hand anyway. I just used cotton batting. It worked fine, although I'm sure fusible flex foam is a great product.

I made little zipper pulls from the selvedges because Cotton & Steel makes their selvedge edges too cute to scrap!

Since I loved how this one turned out so much, I decided to get to work right away on one for myself! I chose the smaller version this time, because I want to use it for knitting and crochet projects, which are what I work out when I'm waiting at dance or golf.

I chose another great Cotton & Steel print and then made it work with fabrics from my stash. I LOVE IT! I've used it quite a bit already and shamelessly showed it off to everyone I saw, ha!

I used a few products making these that I think you'll find useful. (FYI these are affiliate links).

YYK handbag zippers. These zippers are the absolute best!!! They have come in handy time and time again and they come in beautiful colors.
Babyville snap plyers and snaps. Another investment that has been well worth the money, I use these snaps on everything. Again, so many pretty colors.
I can't say enough good things about sewing clips, they're so useful! Definitely used them a lot in this project.
And here is that fusible flex foam that I didn't use this time, but would love to try next time.

That's all! I wasn't given this pattern or asked to review it, I just really love it! I know I'll try more Noodlehead patterns in the future because this one was such a delight to sew :)

Oh look, I found a photo of that zipper pocket! A tad blurry, but that's ok.

Cheers! Happy sewing :)