Quilt ShopsQuilting Projects

November 2010 Quilt Class “Floral Bunda Tote Bag”

Shar exhibits her quilted "Big Bertha" tote bag!

Last September, my friend and quilting buddy Sue and I attended the Quilt Expo in Madison, Wi, When we saw this big tote bag and fabric displayed at “Thimble N Thread’s” booth, we both thought what a great gift idea for Christmas this would be. Shar, the shop owner, is holding up a sample of the bag in the picture to the right.

Looking for something quilting relating to do, now that our travel season is over for 2010 and Arvy is parked for the winter, Sue talked me into taking a class at  “Thimble N Thread” on making this large Floral Bunda tote bag. What fun we had making the bag. And we liked ours so much that we both decided to keep our bag for ourselves – Merry Christmas Sue and Jo!

Sewing the straps for the "Bunda" quilted tote bag

In this picture, my friend Sue is so intent on getting her bag straps just right.  This pattern was easy, simple to make yet elegant looking.

I was able to make a somewhat smaller version of this tote with some  floral fabric I had in my stash for my cousin who is in wheelchair. I had to make the strap proportionately longer so she could handle it easier.   She later wrote that she loved the bag  (see that picture below).

“Thimble N Thread www.thimblenthread.net is a great quilt shop (located at 2315 Hwy 14, Richland Center, Wi).  This shop has all your fabric and quilting needs.  This past summer when my sister, who is a non-quilter, visited the shop with me she said “Now this Is a Quilt Shop.”  Even non-quilters have opinions on what makes a great quilt shop. On our website we have a directory of quilt shops along some scenic byways (Arkansas Scenic Highway 7, the Great River Road, & Lake Superior Circle Tour)

Quilted Small Tote Bag

Thimble and Thread Quilt Shop, Richland Center, WI