Guess what? I got picked to participate in the Dritz Mystery Box Challenge! A couple months ago Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane asked me if I wanted to receive a mystery box of Dritz products and make something with them. It was so much stuff - just look at my loot!
The funnest part of this challenge (for you) is that three lucky blog readers will also get to win the mystery box of Dritz products. Except it's not a mystery anymore because you've seen it. :) Read all about the giveaway at Ellison Lane {here}.
Dritz has so many products to make sewing easier. They make the standard can't-live-without-it tools like tape measures and scissors. And they also make new and exciting notions like those cute Getta Grip Clips and the Glamour Rings purse hardware. Dritz recently revamped their website www.dritz.com. It's an awesome resource for DIY-ers of all kinds with tips and projects galore. You can also find instructions and tips for using any Dritz product.
Anywho... I needed to pick 5 products from the box to use for my challenge project. That was hard to do! I felt so inspired. I picked my new Dritz cutting mat and huge 60mm rotary blade, the Getta Grip Clips that I was already using for lots of things (lol), the Glamour Rings, the 3/8'' grommets, and the awl tool.
And this tote is what I made! I'm calling it my Mod Satchel. It's a smallish bag, just enough to hold what you need to run out the door.
The grommets hold two drawstrings. The Glamour Rings connect each drawstring to one side of the handle.
So when you pull up on the handle, it cinches the bag shut.
I used the 60mm rotary blade to cut my black vinyl. It cut like butta.
The clips were perfect for this project because pins would have poked permanent holes in the vinyl.
Unexpectedly, I was really glad to have the point turner & seam creaser to press this seam open. Obviously I didn't want to touch the vinyl with my hot iron.
I used the awl to help me mark and punch the initial holes in my bag for grommet placement.
Let me tell you, having all these handy tools makes sewing so much fun!
I got the vinyl for this bag from Joann's and the lining fabric came in a cute bundle from Faith Love Fabric. They go together perfectly, I think.
Thank you so much to Dritz and Jennifer of Ellison Lane for picking me for this fun challenge. Make sure you visit Ellison Lane to enter to win your own huge box of notions.
Do you think I should write a tutorial for this tote bag? Let me know in the comments.
And guess what??? My book releases today on CTpub.com! You can get both the hard copy and eBook version now. There's 24 patterns for tote bags, dresses, skirts, tops, and accessories... all from your favorite bloggers whose tutorials have been featured here on SewCanShe. Thanks for checking it out!
Happy sewing!
