Time for a BLOCK PARTY!
The Block Party Tote Pattern will go live tomorrow 6th December at 7am (Irish time - GMT)!
To get the party started I’m letting you lovely newsletter subscribers in on a pre-party secret!
Use the code “BLOCKPARTY” after 7am tomorrow morning and the first 25 people will be able to order the pattern for free! I’ll announce this on the socials just after 7.30am but giving y’all an advance heads up!
The Block Party starts today with 25% off all pattern listings! Including bundles!! No code needed!
Block Party Tote - What you need to know!
The Block Party Tote is a super simple, unlined, colour-blocked tote pattern. No interfacing! No lining! Just fun!! Neat, beautifully sewn fun of course…
The pattern comes in two sizes, Large and Mini, and has two colour-blocking options and a plain option. It utilises three seam finishing techniques - standard, flat-felled and French seams. This allow us to make a lightweight, unlined, durable bag while keeping the insides neat and tidy. Its a lovely way to practice a seam construction not often used in bagmaking!
Block Party Beginnings!
The first Block Party Tote, well the first 40… were created for my choir’s trip to Paris in 2019.
All my own idea. “Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had matching bags for our trip…” I thought to myself. I must say after 20 I started to regret taking on that endeavour! But it was totally worth it and it is wonderful to see members still using the bags when we head off on trips together! I have about 3 of them in constant circulation as they have worn so well and roll up neatly as a spare shopping bag.
I was asked a few times if I could make a pattern and even though it is a simple sew, it really is satisfyingly neat, it kept working itself around my head so I thought I’d share the obsession! I made one main change - I added a facing to the top instead of a folded over top edge. A chance to add another pop of colour and a neater way to add the straps.
Let’s have a look at those seams…
The Block Party Tote is unlined. But us sewing folk can’t be having raw edges can we?
There are three different seam finishing techniques used in this pattern to allow it to stay lightweight, neat and durable.
The colour-blocking seam is created using a flat-felled seam, like the side seam of your jeans. This encases the raw edges of both fabrics and allows for some lovely neat topstitching. (I like topstitching almost as much as I dislike interfacing!)
The side seams are constructed using a French seam - made by sewing the bag wrong sides together first and then right sides together. Yes - a few warnings are given in the post to remind you to start those seams WRONG sides together first!! I may have had to get the stitch ripper out a few times following inevitable forgetfulness while sewing…
Lastly standard seams are used to sew the top facing in place and then it is folded under the end of the straps and top stitched to keep every little bit of this bag neat and tidy!!
As always, the PDF tutorial walks you though each step!
Have a good week and enjoy some Block Party Sewing! xx Sarah
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