I’d like to say that I needed a new bag to haul all our towels to the beach, but the truth is, I haven’t been to the ocean yet this summer (insert sad face *here*). No, this bag is the result of falling in love with this navy-gray canvas with silhouette birds (Birch Flight in Dusk). As a participant in the Bag of the Month club (thank you Samantha!), I got to see 6 really wonderful bag patterns before general release, and Anna of Noodlehead‘s Poolside Tote was the perfect pattern to show off this great print.
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of pre-washing the fabric. After washing and drying the lightweight canvas, the blue-grey was blotchy and creased. It was heartbreaking, but I decided to go through with my plan anyway…and pretend it’s a purposeful “broken in” look!
A quick trip to Hart’s (15 minutes in a fabric store–a record for me!) and I selected a wheat-colored canvas for the handles and Art Gallery’s Cubisme quilting cotton for the lining. (And yes, for those who know the area, I was about a mile from the ocean at Hart’s but a trip to the beach wasn’t in the cards that day…)
Since the canvas was so light, I used Annie’s Soft and Stable for some firmness. I haven’t worked with this product before and I quickly learned that a walking foot is essential! Even still, I had a hard time keeping the stitches even. I do like how the bag stands on it’s own, so Soft and Stable does the job!
Bea & Lucille 
This is such a perfect match of fabric and pattern- epic work 😀
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I love that bag! and fabric choices…now go to the beach. Pronto.
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Inspiration for the beach! And, inspiration to sew a beach bag! You've created a beauty of a bag Nicole…the coordinating fabrics are heavenly! I understand your disappointment in discovering that the pre-wash diluted the intensity of the indigo blue, I've had that happen too. But knowing that you can wash it should there be an oops with a spilled drink or just too much exposure to salt water and sand is really best. And I really like the 'blue jean' look of the fabric!
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Really lovely, even with the fading – totally adds to the character!
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aw bummer about the creasing/fading upon washing, but it does have a nice weathered beachy vibe! it looks great – gotta make me one of these!
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Love it! Great fabric choices 🙂
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Pretty bag, Nicole. I like the pre-washed look of the fabric. Thanks for the heads up on the soft and stable. I have been interested in trying it.
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Thank you! I was racing through the fabric store, since I only had a few minutes, so it was a no-second-thoughts kind of match!
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Thank you, Sue! I was so bummed about that fabric, but you're right–it is destined to look worn anyhow, so this keeps it from feeling too precious from the start!
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I definitely recommend the pattern–it's great! Can't wait to see your version!
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Thank you! Soft and Stable is good stuff, but I definitely needed the walking foot–it's thick!
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Thanks! The fading works for the style, but I still have to try not to think too hard about how much I loved the dark un-washed version, though 🙂
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Hahah–we're aiming for this weekend!
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Thank you!
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