Bags, Uncategorized

Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review : Noodlehead Super Tote

This post is part of Purse Palooza 2013.
 
For full schedule of guest post pattern reviews and prizes, click here!
 
Elizabeth from Don’t Call Me Betsy is the author of the beautiful book, Becoming A Confident Quilter: Lessons and Techniques Plus 14 Quilt Patterns. She is also gearing up for another year of the Lucky Stars Block-of-the-Month Club, which I promptly signed up for!

Hello again! My name is Elizabeth and I blog at Don’t Call Me Betsy. Thanks for having me over for Purse Palooza, Sara. I love making bags, although I tend to spend more time quilting than sewing bags. I’ve made quite a few though, including Sara’s gorgeous Aeroplane bag pattern.

Super Tote - done!

Today, I’m reviewing the Super Tote bag by Noodlehead. Anna Graham, the designer behind Noodlehead, creates such well-written patterns. I truly enjoy sewing through her patterns. They are concise, yet detailed enough that you know exactly what to do in each step, which is really important in bag patterns.

Another cross-body Super Tote!

One of the great things about the Super Tote is that the supplies are really easy to acquire – I was able to pick up everything I needed notion-wise at Jo-Ann’s, and pulled fabrics from my stash for both of the Super Totes that I’ve made thus far. I used Essex linen and home dec prints for my first Super Tote, and a dark denim paired with a quilting cotton for the second Super Tote. Another great thing about the Super Tote is the size – it’s a great size for me, because I can fit so much in it. I can fit my DSLR and a wallet and a book to travel with, I can fit my graph paper notebook and laptop to take to Starbucks to work on some new quilt designs, I can fit coloring books in it, you name it. It’s a great on to go, take everything with you kind of bag.

Super Tote - interior fits SO much stuff!
I did modify the pattern slightly – I changed the strap from a two handled strap to one long cross-body strap, like a messenger bag would have. For me, it makes the bag a more everyday bag, and I adore carrying my Super Tote daily. To create the cross-body strap, I simply made a regular, padded strap with fusible fleece, making it quite long to begin with, and then fiddled with the length so that the bag would fit me just right. I then sewed the handles in between the lining and exterior of the bag as I’ve done with other bag patterns, lining the strap up with the pleat in the gusset.

Super Tote - top/side view

 

I’ve made a lot of bags, ranging from simple zip pouches to Amy Butler’s infamous Weekender Bag, and I would say that the Super Tote is written in such a way that even a beginner could tackle it. Anna’s instructions are very clear and easy to follow, so if this bag appeals to you, I say go for it!Thanks for having me over to share about the Super Tote, Sara. Have a great day everyone!

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9 thoughts on “Purse Palooza :: Pattern Review : Noodlehead Super Tote

  1. Jess says:

    Love that pattern, and thanks for the tip on the cross body strap, it is a large bag and while I’ve made a couple for other people, I haven’t made one for myself yet. I’ll totally do it with the cross body strap now! Pretty fabric combos on yours!

  2. DeeAnn says:

    Love your fabrics, and the recessed zipper at the top is an added bonus!

  3. Mar García says:

    Love the fabric choice! Great idea that cross body strap, I’ve made the 241 tote by Noodlehead and it was too easy to follow, I’ll take a look on this one. Thanks for sharing!

  4. Vera says:

    Looking good!

  5. Beth says:

    I think my DD would love this bag. Thanks for sharing.

  6. Jake says:

    What’s not to love about any patter by Anna?!?! I always make adjustable straps for all my bags…everyone prefers a different length. I’m even making the long strap on my Lapin Noir bag adjustable…just a preference. Thank you for sharing your review!

  7. I love the idea of one long strap to carry it cross body. That is what I like about Purse Palooza (well, one thing I like)—all the modifications the posters make that seem obvious but that I had not thought about before. Love the fabric you choose (and the name of your blog!).

    Holly

  8. OhioLori says:

    AWESOME Tote!!! Loooove the pattern, & the fabrics you used!! Great idea on strap too..thanks for info! 🙂

  9. Carla says:

    Having never made a bag, this one looks like a good one to start with. Thanks for sharing

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