The Iron & Needle: Flamingo Tote Bag

I was browsing the shelves at my local quilt shop recently and noticed some new fabric - pink flamingos on a white background with a watercolour vibe. Apparently flamingos are a trend right now and though I don't usually go for trends, I couldn't pass these up. For me, the word flamingo evokes images of cheesy plastic lawn ornaments, but these flamingos are softer and more subtle. A few coordinating prints from the line were right next to it and the grey, pink and white combo was calling to be made into an Edge Tote.

Edge Tote pattern

So when my Mom decided to make an Edge Tote for her trip, I decided it didn't matter that I have two large tops to be quilted and a charity quilt that hasn't been started yet and that I'd make one with her.

I decided to stick with three colours again for this one, but I made a few modifications to the design. I added a small pocket and magnetic clasps to the top of the bag lining before I sewed it together. I also added magnetic clasps to the outside pocket before it was quilted and to the bag front after it was quilted. That way, all the clasps are hidden away. I thought it might be nice to be able to keep the bag and pocket closed.

I added in a strip of pink to the bottom of the handles with a bit of leftover fabric. I really like the effect. The handles were quilted the same as my other versions, though I quilted the bag differently.

Fabrics designed by Jane Dixon for Andover fabrics

I went with straight parallel lines for the quilting, spaced about 3/8" apart, using the edge of my presser foot as a guide. I LOVE how this turned out. I've always liked the look of this kind of straight line quilting, but hadn't tried it before. When Anna of Noodlehead posted her Market Bag from her book Handmade Style last week, I finally ordered the book and used the quilting as inspiration.
(p.s. for my fellow Canadians, Chapters has it listed online at 37% off with free shipping.)

The denser quilting added a lot of structure and stability to the bag, so it stands up on its own. I went with diagonal lines to match the angle of the pocket and like how it plays off against the horizontal lines.