So I can finally reveal the tote bag I’ve made for round 2 of the Mouthy Stitches swap. I had to keep it a big secret because if I’d revealed more than a tiny bit of it, my partner (lovely Sarah at Narcoleptic in a Cupboard) would have easily guessed who it was for – I pretty much made what she asked for!
As usual with Mouthy Stitches swaps, we all put together an inspiration mosaic for our partners, including all our favourite quilting/tote wonderfulness. Sarah had this wonderful Button Play mini quilt by Julianna of Sewing Under the Rainbow in her mosaic, and included a note saying that it would make her ideal tote.
It seemed such a shame to make anything different – so it was time for ‘Ali at Very Berry’ to become ‘Ali the Bag Fairy’ (hmm, not so flattering!) and grant Sarah’s wish… Here’s what I came up with:
and here’s the inside (the bag is reversible), complete with slip pocket and concealed zip pocket:
I can’t tell you how tricky it has been to keep this a secret… I enjoyed making it so much – I had a great time finding lots of fun selvedges and texty fabrics to make the Mix Tape ‘labels’, and when I had a sudden inspiration to make a rainbow of tapes, it all seemed to come together.
I can’t tell you all the fabric choices because it would take forever, but lots of people have asked about the gorgeous lining fabric – it’s called Insect, and it’s part of the Autumn 2012 collection from Echino – now available at the always-brilliant Eternal Maker.
And the best thing, as ever with Mouthy Stitches, is that it has been a brilliant swap…full of inspiration and fun. Huge thanks to the Swap Mamas for organising it, especially as I know some of them have been having exceptionally tough times recently.
Looking forward to the next round already. 
Guides to buying felt, linen, haberdashery, Liberty Lawn & organic/fair trade fabrics.
This is amazing. I would love to be able to make bags like that! Love the fabric choice.
Thanks so much Deborah – I’m sure you could make one too – just a bit of time and a lot of fabrics required!
The bag is stunning! Loving the beautiful colour combination and all the fabric choices:D
Thank you so much – I had a wonderful time choosing all the fabrics!
Beautiful, Ali! Even with the little peeks I knew it would be gorgeous and I was right.
Thank you so much Elisabeth – I appreciate that. xx
Wow, very funky and retro. I love it. So clever.
Thanks so much! I loved making it and it was hard to say goodbye!
Lucky lucky Sarah xxx
Thanks so much Hadley xx
This is beautiful! I definitely want to have a go at this!
Go for it – you will have a fantastic time! Great fun for a fabric fanatic..
This is absolutely incredible — love it!!
Thanks so much, really appreciate your kind words!
Wow! That is absolutely brilliant!
Thanks so much – I had a brilliant time making it!
Clever, clever bag design. It is fab.
Thanks! Can’t take all the credit for the design though!
What a fantastic bag and clever you! I just love it!
Thanks so much – I wish I could take credit for the original ideas as well as the bag!
What a fantastic bag! The design and the fabrics are such a happy marriage!
Thanks Kerry – a compliment from you always feels extra good!
It’s adorable!
Thanks so much – I really appreciate it.
I AM lucky
I absolutely love it though, and I cant stop looking at it today at all! All your hard work is VERY much appreciated, I couldnt be happier with it!! Thank you x
Really fantastic bag Ali, your swap partner will be absolutely thrilled. You are very talented. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for leaving such a lovely comment – I appreciate it so much. xx
Wow! I mean seriously wow. I’m filled with bag envy. Fabric, colour, construction, all fabulous. Is there anything you can’t do?
OMG! I want I want I want! Sarah is one lucky lady!
Thanks so much Laura!
That is stunning!!! and I love the spot you used to frame them!!
Thanks so much Joanne. The spotty fabric is a lovely linen mix from Sevenberry – it comes in lots of shades and is *really* useful..
OMG! Sarah is the luckiest girl alive. What a brilliant job you did! Thank you so much for being in the swap, making that bag and having fun doing it.
Thanks so so much Susan. I had a great time and am looking forward to the next swap
That is wonderful, I love it! So many gorgeous fabrics in there, great job!
Thank you so much – using the lovely fabrics to their best was my main aim. It meant lots of unpicking every time I changed my mind, but it was worth it in the end!
This is wonderfully made, what a great design
Thank you so much
Can’t take all the credit for the design – but the work is all mine!
I love it, especially the fussy cut spindle hole thingumies!
Thank you – I loved all that fussy cutting, it’s so satisfying!
Oh my gosh that is fabulous!! Would you or sarah mind if I made one for myself?! Child of the 80s that I am! I love the fabrics you picked out, such a wonderful design
I don’t mind at all! If you go to Julianna’s blog you can find the tutorial for her tape block – http://www.jednoiglec.blogspot.co.uk/p/tutoriale-tutorials.html to get you started.
What a fabulous tote, both inside and out! Love it
Thanks so much Catherine – can’t tell you how much I enjoyed making it, and how hard it was to keep it a secret!