BACK TO SCHOOL ALREADY?? ALMOST

We only have 28 days left until our little ones head back to school in our little part of the world... not that I'm counting, and I was itching to make something cute for Drama Queen to use as her backpack this year. Last year it was a combined use of a "roller" backpack, which can cause some minor accidents and pileups in the hallway at school... not my favorite backpack, and this tote bag that I made for her last year. I still love to see my girls use them.... So in true Drama Queen fashion, this year's bag had to be stylish, fun, and different. 

After a visit to my favorite (hubby's least favorite) store - HobLob - I was back home with this...

and this...

After a little sewing (only to make the ruffles) and a lot of fabric glue (made it so much easier) I came up with this.  

 You've gotta personalize this tote, I mean someone might get it mixed up with theirs.

So how stylish, fun and different is this??

SUPER fun and a super easy way to create something unique for your little one to go back to school with.  How fun would one be with tulle all around it for a ballet bag?  

*ciao*

Deb

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Home Stories at AtoZ

DRAB to FAB"ULOUS"

My little Drama Queen has a habit of asking me, "Mama, do I look FABULOUS?" She's got a whole lot of attitude in that little body of hers. So the other day, I found these denim totes at HobLob for 50% off which made them $2 each. I thought they would looks super "FABULOUS" if we just added some fun fabric to them. Luckily, I had some left over scraps from a previous project that would be perfect. Well as usual, my wheels start turning and I end up doing much more than I intended, but in the end... they are "FABULOUS!!!" What do you think??



So I start with this... plain Jane denim tote.



Then I found a "peace" symbol online and cut and pasted in into a Word document.




Printed it and cut it out. Then I traced it onto the fabric and cut it out...(sorry I didn't take a picture of that.)

Then I glued it (yes glued since I didn't have any of that sticky iron on stuff that you put on fabrics). But I did use fabric glue, so at least I wasn't totally off the wall with that. Anyway, back to my story, I glued and then stitched the "peace sign" on the bag.



Then because everything is so much more "FABULOUS" when it is blinged out even more, and because I just can't stop at mere cuteness, I decided to go on and do the inside too. So I measured (professional seamstresses turn away from the monitor and cover your eyes... I am about to do something that may make you spit!) This is my way of measuring... I put the bag on top of the fabric and just eyed it.



Then I added in some pockets for water bottles, crayons, stuff...



I then sewed up the side that was open and the bottom and made a little pouch, that then slips into the tote like this...



Then you pin the inside pouch to the outside tote (again, you seamstresses out there, just close your eyes and save yourself the frustration. I know, I know, just breathe in and breathe out!)



oh, and one more thing... don't forget to change out your bobbin thread (is that what the bottom circle thing is called? I forgot and had to go back and remove all the "white" thread that was showing on my denim bag... aaahhhh!!! So yeah, don't forget to do that.



Then you sew, sew, sew and in the end you have a fun tote that is lined with fun fabric...



and a little girl who thinks it looks "FABULOUS!!"



My girls like their bags so much, and Pre-Teen is even asking if she can use it as her back pack this year. Guess I saved myself some bucks with that one.

Have a great afternoon.

*ciao*
Deb