Tote Bag

On our group, AAPG, we are doing an Anniversary Swap.  We signed up and we were given a "secret" name to send our package too.  I can now show you another item I was working on since my swap partner received her package last week.

One of the requirements was to send a 'handmade item".  So I decided to try and make something different for a change and make a rug hooked tote bag.

I love bags of any kind (they used to call me the bag lady at work - always carrying something - magazines, books, something to work on or whatever).  I wanted something nice and roomy for her.   My swap partner and I share the same favorite color - red.  So I knew I wanted a red background.  Now the design.   Wasn't sure if there was anything she collected so didn't want to do anything specific like a cat or dog or whatever so I decided on some penny circles.  To me they are fun and scrappy and are colorful.  After making the decision to do a red background, I just knew I wanted ticking as the lining (yes, that's me - I love ticking - old and new - one might think I was making this for myself - perhaps that's why i decided last minute to add her name to it so I couldn't keep it myself).  I walnut dyed the ticking just enough so it wasn't glaring white but an older looking off white.

Then I just sat down with my reds and extra worms and hooked away - Oh I forgot to measure this when I was done but I think I started with approx. 16" x 29" or thereabouts.

Since I had decided on the ticking, i decided to do three rows of beading in reds and creams on each edge.

Then it was just folded it in half and hand stitched up the sides with carpet thread.

Next step was to whip the top edge with hand dyed wool yarn and cording.  I used two colors of wool and used a thicker cording to give it a good top edge. 

Then, and I would love to say I did the assembling, but I can't.  I took it to my Mom's.  She sewed the lining for me and made three pockets inside and installed a snap and sewed in the lining and made handles.   If I would have done it, it would have looked really, really bad as I can't sew!

So this is the finished product!  Front and Back views

I'm hoping to make a few more at some time.  Someday....