Big Ole Schlep Bag

I recently made this tote bag from Cotton and Steel black and white fabrics except for the lining. The free pattern is So Sew Easy Schlep Bag by Sentimental Stitches.  However, I wouldn't classify it as So Sew Easy.

It really wasn't that difficult, but the construction with on-point squares really made me think.  And to add it, I decided to enlarge the bag by using 10" squares instead of 8" and it's really just too big.  I must carry it on my shoulder or it will drag on the ground.

It took a little figuring to increase the size of the lining and I found this handy diagonals of a square calculator which I use a good bit.  You must try it out! Here's a screenshot, but all you do is drag any vertex (where the sides meet to form a corner) to the desired square size and it will automatically calculate the diagonal of the square.

In this case, I used 10" squares, so the finished square would be 9.5".  The calculations are to the nearest even numbers, but it's really close and I didn't have to do that calculation you see below using the square root of anything.

I pieced the lining using some fat quarters I didn't care for and added a band of the focus fabric along the top where it might be seen.

I even added a pocket in the lining seam.

Here's the schlep bag lying flat.  It measures 24" wide by 18" tall.

And I guess you've noticed my mistake by now...I sewed the label on side rather than the front between the handle straps.  Faye, vice president of the Greenville MQG, screen printed the labels with our logo for us attendees of the GMQG retreat we had back in April.  And it's my favorite color too!

 And a better close up of the quilted handles.

Based on my experience making the So Sew Easy Schlep Bag, I have a few recommendations or things to consider:

1.  Make the bag using the suggested size squares or you will doing more quilty math then you might prefer.

2.  The pattern called for just using interfacing on the 4 bottom squares, but I feel it needed it throughout the bag or perhaps a layer of fleece.  I used Pellon Shape Flex 101 (affiliate link), a woven interfacing.

3.  If I hadn't put in the pocket, I would have quilted the layers sewing along the edges of the squares adding to the stability.

4.  The bag really needed structure and I added a bottom by cutting an old plastic advertisement type sign to fit.  I may go back in cover it in fabric, but for now it's sitting in place just fine and ready for schlepping.

Linking to:

Finish It Up Friday with Amanda at Crazy Mom Quilts

Whoop Whoop Friday with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Show Off Saturday with Caroline at Sew Can She

and the next

Tips and Tutorials Tuesdays with Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl