Skip to main content

Charlie Harper tote

by Linda Theil

9.5 x 9.5 x 5-inch "Forever Shopper-small" tote in "Purple Finch"
fabric from "Best of Charlie Harper collection by Birch Fabrics


For Christmas 2019, Alisa gave me a selection of fat quarters based on the art of Charlie Harper. While each fabric is incredibly beautiful, the designs didn't harmonize in any way that I could work into a quilt, so the Charlie Harpers have been stewing in my stash all these months. I had just finished making my second Diane Spencer Ogg "Forever Shopper", and had returned to the Charlie Harper conundrum when I realized I could use a single Charlie Harper fat quarter as part of a two-toned tote in the small-sized "Forever Shopper" pattern.

I used a fat quarter of the "Purple Finch" design from "Best of Charlie Harper" collection by Birch Fabrics to make a 9.5 x 9.5 x 5-inch tote. 


I cut the fat quarter into two 11 x 18-inch pieces and sewed the pieces to each side of a 11 x 18-inch piece of a coordinating solid fabric. Because the "Purple Finch" design is a directional fabric, I had to sew one piece to the solid-colored fabric upside-down so that when the tote was assembled each panel would appear right-side up.

Because the tote is unlined, to give the fabric body and stability I quilted the fabric to a cream colored cotton in a 1.5-inch diamond design.

The handles are cotton webbing folded and stitched through the center, leaving a flange on either end to attach to the tote.

The tote features an interior, zippered pocket.

Because I eliminated an interior slide pocket, I decided to make a coordinating pouch using the Diane Spencer-Ogg "Cosmetics Pod" pattern featured free on the Spencer-Ogg website. 

Although I've made many of these little pouches, this is the first time I tried making one with quilted fabric. I used the quilt-as-you-go method to attach pieces of the black and cream cotton fabrics used in the tote, then added some extra quilting to the piece before cutting out the pod pattern.

Spencer-Ogg Forever Shopper - Small, and
 coordinating Spencer-Ogg Cosmetics Pod

UPDATE: April 13, 2021

Full-sized "Spencer-Ogg Forever Shopper" tote made with Birch Fabrics' Charlie Harper "White-breasted Nuthatch" design. 


This is my first tote featuring riveted handles. 

Resources

Birch Organic Fabric Charlie Harper Fabrics
https://birchfabrics.com/product-category/charley-harper-fabric/

Charlie Harper fabrics
https://www.charleyharper.com/products/fabrics.html

"Mother Goose shopper" by Linda Theil on AppletonDance
http://appletondance.blogspot.com/2021/03/mother-goose-shopper.html#.YGMia7RKhMY

Diane Spencer-Ogg
https://www.spencerogg.com/

Spencer-Ogg Forever Shopper pattern
https://www.spencerogg.com/product/the-forever-shopper-pdf-bag-sewing-pattern-in-2-sizes/
Forever Shopper video introduction
https://youtu.be/WMinmWrLeSs



"Carrot Mug Rug" by Linda Theil on AppletonDance

Comments

Cathy said…
Simply beautiful and what an excellent, detailed explanation. You have a way with words! Love it!!

3/30/2021
Elisabeth Waugaman said…
Beautiful and amusing for those who know about Nuthatches, who can hang upside down! (-:
Wearable, portable art! (-:
5/13/2021
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Notes on Purl Soho Cross-back Apron pattern

Purl Soho Cross-back Apron, regular sized,  front view Purl Soho Cross-back Apron, regular sized,   back view by Linda Theil This is the Purl Soho Cross-back Apron featured on their website at  https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/11/20/cross-back-apron . Their page includes complete directions for making this one-size-fits-most apron with large, side-pockets and cross-back straps. This retro apron is so nicely made and looks so much like the apron my grandma wore in the Nineteen-fifties that I had to make one for my friend who appreciates the nostalgia and the beauty of this design. Although this apron pattern, as published, can adjust to several sizes from 2-10; I also made a larger option, adjusting the width of the pattern pieces to accommodate up to size 16 and up. Size adjustment may also be made by varying the length of the straps. These notes are a record of my experience with the pattern, and should only be viewed as commentary; y
13 comments
Read more

Sujata Shah's no-template piecing

16-inch, four-patch "pinwheel" block designed by Sujata Shah, pieced by Linda Theil 2016 Fabrics:  Sturbridge line by Kathy Schmitz for Moda and Daily Zen line by Michael D'Amore for Benartex. I attended quilt artist Sujata Shah's "Pinwheel" class sponsored by the Greater Ann Arbor Quilt Guild  at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor  on July 17, 2016. Shah is inspired by the work of Gee's Bend quilters and has developed a no-template method of piecing to emulate their unstructured designs. Shah's book, Cultural Fusion Quilts , is available at Amazon.com.  Shah's uses four 11-inch squares to make each block, but she said a quilter could use any size base they choose. Since I had a package of precut 10-inch squares in the "Sturbridge" design by Kathy Schmitz for Moda, I based my block on that size. We were instructed to bring a variety of backgrounds in one color and brights in another color. Since I signed up late for
2 comments
Read more

Auntie Grace bag

"Auntie Grace" bag sewn by Linda Theil by Linda Theil This "Auntie Grace" bag pattern is available from  Knot & Thread Design. The bag is small -- about 8-inches wide, by 6-inches tall, by 2-inches wide. It is constructed of pre-quilted fabric pattern pieces, and the gusset seams are bound inside the bag. The bag features a full-sized zippered pocket inside, and a full-sized zippered pocket on the exterior back of the bag. It also features a divided slip pocked on the rear interior. A front flap is secured by a swivel hook closure, and directions for an adjustable cross-body strap are included. "Auntie Grace" bag, rear exterior I think the design of the bag is beautifully proportioned, elegant, compact, and very useful. The design concept seems to follow the appearance of the high-end "Grace" leather bag by French fashion house A.P.C.  "Auntie Grace" bag interior I would consider the Knot & Thread pattern to be competently de
2 comments
Read more