Toots Totes
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Production Line

11/6/2022

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In preparation for a long awaited visit to family in France, I decided to make three little bags to take as gifts. Rather than making them one at a time I decided to do the production line thing, which I've found in the past works quite well and saves a bit of time. I chose two William Morris fabrics: 'Strawberry Thief' and 'Snakeshead' (named after the fritillery not the reptile!) and a 50's reprint of a classic mid-century modern design 'Mobiles'.
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Strawberry Thief
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Mobiles
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Snakeshead
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Shows the wadding tacked on to each piece
I cut out two "Poppy" cross body bags and a variant of that design that allows for the cross body strap to be clipped on the side along with a partner strap the other side, to convert it into a backpack. I sewed the zipped pockets onto each front and then tacked wadding on to each piece.
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Next I sewed the side and bottom seams, attached some plastic mesh to strengthen the base, and turned them right side out. Eight fiddly loop holders were sewn and attached to the top sides of each bag with two extra at the bottom of the backpack.
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Just the linings to do now with their inner pockets and a zip top closure!
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All done, so ready for when restrictions are lifted.

Un sac a dos pour ma belle-fille, un sac pour sa maman et un pour sa tante! 
(A backpack for my daughter-in-law, a bag for her Mum and one for her aunt!) 

Just need to make something for grandmaman now, but that's for another post!
Update: Now back from our french holiday I can now report the bags were well received!
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No excuses...

15/7/2021

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I make no excuses for not having visited this page for so long, but I thought it about time I gave a quick update and show you what I've made since the beginning of the year.
Two lovely ladies sadly left the team that I used to work with, however I was delighted and honoured to be asked to make a part of their leaving gifts.
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Zip top 'Rosa' in William Morris Chrysanthemum fabric with leather handles.
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I made an additional little purse and mask as my part of the gift
Both were made to the same pattern - my 'Rosa' design, but look what a difference the choice of fabric makes! This design has become a favourite to make and receive it seems! Let me know if you'd like one in your own choice of fabric.
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Stylish 'Rosa' in Skinny laminx Flowerfields fabric with a contrast yellow stripe the highlight the yellow flower centres
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Yellow cross-hatched cotton lining continues the mid-century vibe. Two interior pockets, one zipped the other elasticated.
Having ordered more fabric from my favourite designer Heather Moore at Skinny laminx, it arrived within 4 days all the way from South Africa, and I set about turning it into yet another 'Rosa'. It makes a lovely summery bag, don't you think? Still available at £80 (inc p+p within UK) Contact me if you're interested in purchasing.
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'Rosa' made in Skinny laminx Orla and Flowerfields fabrics with beautiful green leather handles.
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A pink spotty cotton lining to echo the pink flower centres. Complete with cute elasticated and zipped pockets.
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Beaded zip pull of course!
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15 x 11 x 4 inches so plenty of room for everything!
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William Morris ~ Kennet, Chrysanthemum, Honeysuckle & Corncockle

1/11/2016

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Kennet
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Honeysuckle
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Chrysanthemum
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Love this name-Corncockle.
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These measure nine by five and a half inches and make a lovely cosmetic purse, pencil case or whatever you wish to fill them with...? Superb little Christmas presents available from the William Morris gallery from November.
So finally I've come to the end of this marathon make! Its been a real joy choosing which fabrics to use and seeing how stunning the items can look, made in these beautiful fabric designs! Delivery next week to the William Morris Gallery for their Christmas shop. Hope they sell well!
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William Morris ~ Toots Tiny TotesĀ 

8/10/2016

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Cute tiny totes for little people, a couple come with a little friend in the pocket! These take a surprising number of little books or games for a day at Grannie's!
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Catch me if you can!
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A different fabric combo.
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Lodden
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Golden Lily Minor
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Making his escape!
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Strawberry lining!
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Vibrant pink spotty lining.
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Kennet
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And he's off!
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Corncockle
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Strawberry thief in slate/vellum.
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Love a gingham lining!
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William Morris ~ Useful and beautiful ~ 'Honeysuckle' and 'Granville'

8/10/2016

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I love these colour combinations. The greens and orange mirror the honeysuckle but who would expect coral to look so good with this deep burgundy in the Granville design?
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William Morris ~ Red & Indigo Indian and Claret & Gold Bluebells

20/9/2016

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'Indian' design fabric.
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Dupion silk lining
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Back view
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Zipped pocket and two open pockets
Exotic fabrics lend themselves to elegant clutch bags lined with dupion silk, of course-what else?
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Claret and gold 'Bluebell' fabric
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Just the right colour gold dupion silk lining.
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Back view
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Useful as well as beautiful!
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William Morris ~ Snakeshead fritillary, honeysuckle and tulips

20/9/2016

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Cross body leather strap, zipped top bag in Indigo Snakehead fabric
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Shows wonderful fabric design to bag back.
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Two open pockets and zipped pocket in coordinating blue and white cotton.
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Beautiful russet coloured honeysuckle and tulip fabric
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Back view
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Ditsy rosebud cream cotton lining
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Full set! Two little matching purses. Love those tassels!
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Useful and beautiful items for the William Morris Gallery

4/9/2016

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I've made a good start on the William Morris bespoke range for Christmas-three down, sixteen to go! These fabrics are a delight to work with and finding just the right bits and bobs to coordinate with them is a enjoyable challenge.
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Strawberry thief in blue.
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Strawberry thief in chocolate colourway.
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Little purse in russet colourway honeysuckle and tulip.
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Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. William Morris

10/7/2016

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Strawberry thief
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Golden Lily
William Morris's beautiful floral designs are as fresh and contemporary as they were in the 1880's.
I am very pleased to say that I had a most positive response from the William Morris Gallery who have ordered twenty bespoke items as a Christmas range.
​I already have a couple of fabric pieces to start on - so to work - no time to shirk - I need to make something useful and beautiful by late November! 
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Crysanthemum
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    Author

    Hello, I'm Ruth Overton. My nickname as a child was 'Ruthie Toots' which is how the name 
    Toots Totes'
    came about!
    I come from a family of artists and artisans and the creative gene has resulted in a desire to make stuff. There's nothing I love more, than to sit at my old treadle  machine, sewing. It was handed down to me, through the family having been bought by my Grandad for Grandma in the 1930's. (See my blogs about the machine here.)
    More recently I have turned my attention to designing and creating bags and 'Toots Totes' began. 
    I'm going to blog about how ideas for bags come about and how things happen in the sewing room, so join me there if you want to, or bypass this to go to the Shop or the gallery, if you prefer - I won't mind!

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