Desk Deli Lunch Tote

I'm lucky enough to have a husband who doesn't mind trips to the fabric store.

  I usually try and go without him, cause I really like to take my time,

 but occasionally he ends up there with me. 

 It's across the street from our  favorite sushi bar

which opens a bit later than we like for lunch or dinner.

Often times, we have a half hour to wait, so where better to pass the time,

 than across the street at the fabric store.

(insert  not so innocent laugh here)

He helped me decide on this fabric for the totes. 

 It was important to get something, as

we knew I'd want to stay home while my eye is healing.

   He knows my habit of walking away from something I want.

It's an annoying  habit, 

 but  sometimes I just can't decide if I should go ahead with purchases or not.

 I needed a project  that would be easy and non strenuous;

 no lifting heavy objects, no bending over, etc. and this project was perfect. 

We bought (on sale of course)

  enough  of these cute cherry and red polka dot fabric

to make a couple of Desk Deli Lunch Totes.

 I found the pattern at a local independent sewing shop,

but it's available online at  Quilts Illustrated.  <--- click there.

 The pattern, isn't actually a pattern.

It's a list of measurements required for each pattern piece.

I found it  a bit easy to get confused with the pieces,

 so I labeled each fabric piece with a  Post It Note,

noting what size and what piece the fabric is for. Top, Bottom, Handle, Trim, Ties, etc.

   I photo copied all of  the instructions pages,

 so that I could mark my progress along each step of the way

directly onto the copy.

OK, on to the reveal.

 Here's the tote hanging on the plum tree.

I'm happy with how it turned out.

Those are black ties hanging from the center of the bag.

The inside lining  have pockets for utensils, the coordinating napkin,  an ice pack,

your cell phone, your lunch and there's even room inside to pack a book,

sunscreen,  and sunglasses.  Oh the last two items are so important to help prevent skin cancer.

Yes I am turning this into a PSA

Use your sunscreen diligently, and for goodness sakes

wear sun glasses.  That part I didn't know, and I've been dealing 

with basal cell carcinoma for a couple of decades. Sheesh. 

 Here it is with a bottle of water to give you a better idea of the size.

It's ready to pack for an impromptu picnic lunch outdoors.

 

~~~ and yes I sewed this with one just one eye open.

You should try it sometime... just kidding.

Fun!