Sturdy Striped Tote for Stitch Craft Create Gifts

I wanted to quickly share a project I made for Stitch Craft Create’s Gifts 2013 issue. Way back in January, I had a few sewing deadlines to meet before my husband and I packed up and moved from Indiana to Tennessee.

This Sturdy Striped Tote was made with fabric I picked up at IKEA (clearance!) and is a simple sewing project for beginners. It was my first time using grommets, and they are so fun and give the bag a really clean finish. I picked up the rope for the handles at the hardware store.

The project was actually switched from a summer to a winter issue, so Shannon the editor asked if she could have permission to modify my bag and show it with a different kind of handle. I love both looks, and it was so much fun to see this new, wintery interpretation of my summer tote.