I’ve been active on Instagram for a little over a year now, and I often see really amazing, inspirational works of art received as part of swaps. I’ve seen sign-ups, but never signed up for one myself until my friend Carla hosted an “Under the Sea” themed swap. Growing up on the Pacific Coast, I’ve always felt a connection to anything ocean-related, so this particular swap was calling my name. 

This swap had a few requirements: it couldn’t be a simple item, specifically it had to include at least 2 of the following features: embroidery/handstitching, patchwork, paper piecing, english paper piecing, multiple zippers, quilt blocks. We were sent a small questionnaire filled out by our recipient with their favourite colours, fabrics, likes/dislikes etc.

My recipient loves sea turtles and I wanted to challenge myself by trying paper piecing for the first time, so I set out to find a pattern.I find this great sea turtle that comes in 3 sizes designed by fernstitchco. I’ve had the Noodlehead Maker’s Tote pattern for a while now and figured this would be the perfect opportunity to give it a go. So by now I’d figured out what I was going to make, but I had a little problem: I actually didn’t know how to paper piece. 

Right about now is when I got really happy I have creativebug! I hopped over there, thinking there ought to be a class, and I was right! Not only is there a paper piecing class, it’s taught by Carolyn Friedlander – how cool is that?! My membership includes as many classes as I can watch on so many different types of creative outlets.

Once I had the turtle paper pieced, I created the background large enough to be the front of the tote and continued with the instructions for the Maker’s Tote. I also did some quilting in different blues and greens in wavy lines to make the exterior look more ocean-like. 

I had so much fun with the outside and the inside was exciting too! I decided to use mesh for one the pockets on one side, just because that seemed more ocean-like to me, plus I just got some in a pretty colour and wanted to use it. I used some of my all-time favourite fabric, Mo Bedell’s Full Moon Lagoon for the interior, and also the side panels. I also used Patty Sloniger’s Into the Deep from Sitka Fabrics and I love the fresh vibrant look those collections have when combined with the anything-but-basic Cotton + Steel Basics from Fabric Spark.

Another first for me with this project was hand-binding – I’d never done it before, and was a bit intimidated at the prospect. I asked my friendJenny, who does amazing work, if she had any tips. She gave me some pointers and a big dose of encouragement. I must admit, it was a lot nicer to do than I expected. I was able to watch a show while doing the hand-stitching, something I don’t do at all while sewing otherwise. So I guess I understand how people say they enjoy hand-stitching and find it relaxing. I might even find some more hand-stitching projects to do!

For the very last step of the bag, I used rivets to attach my handles instead of sewing them on. I thought the metallic from the fabric would go nicely with the rivets.

Overall, this project really got me out of my comfort zone and I’m really thrilled with how it turned out. It was pretty hard to part with. My partner has received it, and she seems really happy with it. 

Know what I got for the swap? A Maker’s Tote! Isn’t that a funny coincidence?! I love that adorable whale! Both the one I made and received are the small size Maker’s Tote; the pattern offers instructions for small and large.