I’m so glad you’ve joined us in making the All the Things Tote together. You’re going to love making this tote alongside many other makers! I’m here to make it fun and easy for you. Here’s what you have to look forward to:

• Tips, tricks and live Q+A on Instagram Lives each Friday
• Special discounts to some of my favorite online shops
• Being inspired by a swath of fellow makers working on the same project

Here’s the schedule we’ll be following throughout the sew-along:

In case you haven’t gotten the pattern yet, here are the links to my shop.

Step 1: Collect your supplies

If you want to keep things simple, I have a finishing kit available for purchase on my site that includes all the supplies you need to make your bag, minus fabric.

Are you just missing a few things for your bag? Keep reading for more info. I designed the bag to be made with Soft and Stable, but I have seen a couple samples interfaced with SF101 fusible interfacing and then quilted up with batting; you have some options for how you construct your bag. If you have batting/interfacing lying around, those are great options. I prefer Soft and Stable for the structure and stability. I haven’t made a tote without it yet. In case you need it, I carry both options in my shop:

Have you decided which handle option you are going to make for your tote? The pattern includes instructions for covering polypro strapping with fabric or using a decorative webbing. I stock 32 colors of a cotton webbing that are great as stand-alone handles. The pattern calls for 1¾ yards of strapping. I sell it in 1-yard increments on my website:

Have you decided which handle option you are going to make for your tote? The pattern includes instructions for covering polypro strapping with fabric or using a decorative webbing. I stock 32 colors of a cotton webbing that are great as stand-alone handles. The pattern calls for 1¾ yards of strapping. I sell it in 1-yard increments on my website:

Do you know which size you are making? They are all great, and fit for lots of different uses. My favorite uses so far have been Sewing nights/retreats (Large); Baby Supplies including diapers wipes, burp clothes, etc. (medium); Car road trip snacks (Medium); and kids’ activities/Church bag (Small). I recommend an acrylic base stabilizer for the large and medium sized totes. You can also use mat board or an old cutting mat. Grab the base stabilizer in my shop:

Helpful Notions

If you’ve been around for any of my other bag sew-alongs, you will have seen my favorite bag-making notions. None are absolutely necessary, but they’re all very helpful. I especially recommend the tube turner if you are planning to cover your polypro strapping with fabric. If you are just starting with bag-making, you might be interested in the Bag-Making Tools Starter Kit, which has several notions in a convenient bundle.

Fabric and special offers

Have you decided what fabric you are going to use? It is a good-sized tote and can show off a large-scale print really nicely. Don’t worry if the print is directional—the pattern includes cutting instructions for how to piece the exterior panel so you won’t have any upside-down pieces.

If you are still looking to buy some fabric (or other supplies) for this project, you can get discounts off your order from these wonderful shops! Hurry, because the discounts are all ending soon.

Want to customize your bag?

For week two (starting next Friday), we will be quilting our bag panels. During the previous sew-along, I decided I was going to use up some of my stashed selvage edges. So I spent the first week piecing the fabrics so that it would be ready for quilting by week two. Below is a photo of the tote I made with customized pockets. I used my Checkered Star Mini Quilt pattern.

This time around, I’ll be trying something new—a patchwork All The Things Tote! I have decided to use the Easy Piecing Grid by Tensisters Handicraft. I have wanted to try the Easy Piecing Grid interfacing for a long while, and I’m excited to share about my experience with you while making this bag. I will be using the 2.5” grid (squares will finish 2”) with a couple of Melody Miller’s Flowerland Charm packs that I found in my stash. Yay!

If you have questions about this technique, let me know and I will chat about them on IG this coming week.

Here’s the link to IG live from earlier today in case you weren’t able to see it live.

Be sure to share your fabric choices for your All The Things Tote on IG to the #AllTheThingsToteSA2024 hashtag.

Happy making,

Kait