though i love my little sewing machine, it had a rough time dealing with such a stiff fabric...resulting in some impromtu stitching by hand

i wanted to make a cute tote bag like this one.

i very quickly learned that my little amateur machine

wasn't ready for stiff upholstery fabric.

it hiccuped, stalled, got cranky, and refused to sew.

but first, i'll back up a bit.

i have been loving gray lately.

but i didn't want to be too depressing so

i thought i'd add a solitary solid yellow stripe...

maybe adding yellow handles,

and definitely a yellow inner pocket.

i was trying to be oh so exact with my measuring...something i usually speed through.

i even used straight-pins...another rare event. i usally like to eye things a little too much.

but i'm getting better...i even pressed the seams open, nice and flat!

the yellow pocket!

and my attempt to sew it all together by hand with pretty aqua thread.

but that wasn't going so well either.

so this project is on hold until i return from school at the end of july.

when i finish it, i will have a wonderfully sturdy beach tote

that will probably spend more time carrying books rather

than carrying towels, beach balls, or buckets.