I’ve tried so hard to not tease you with this one, since the timeline for release wasn’t mine, but I did have to send it to some wonderful testers so I’m afraid the word got out last week…

 We fail at action shots. More on that in a minute! :)

So several months ago Jen from One Thimble contacted me and asked if I’d like to contribute to the magazine. The timing wasn’t right for that issue, but the latest one worked out perfectly!

I’ve been trying to challenge myself to make some quicker patterns. I absolutely love the way a bag like Date Night comes together with all the prototyping to develop the zipper technique, and then breaking it down so you can understand it. But, sometimes we just need a bag that can be made in a couple of hours. The straight cuts and simplified construction, you can sew the Outta Time Tote at the last minute and still impress.

Naming my patterns is always the hardest part, so for weeks this bag was simply called the OT Tote, for One Thimble. We’ve already had a lot of chaos this year and I keep running out of time, and 2015 is the “future” year in Back to the Future, so the OT Tote became the Outta Time Tote! We love our geeky references!

The OT Tote has been my go-to bag when I need my MacBook Air and a notebook, or when I need a few extra things that won’t fit in my purse. It’s a useful size, with two zippered pockets to secure your phone, keys, and wallet. The tote isn’t designed to stand up open, so it’s a great stash buster since you can use a variety of materials and interfacing and still end up with an adorable bag. Don’t fear the zippers… both are installed exactly the same way. If you’re nervous, you can practice with the lining first!

 Last summer Bob asked me to make a tote bag for his Aunt Pam, because he found Peanuts fabric and she loves Snoopy. I threw this together, and I really enjoyed sewing something so quickly. :)

I wanted to make something similar for One Thimble, but I would need to shorten the instructions. Thankfully, OT is a digital magazine so I could still have photos for each step on as many pages as I needed. To condense it a bit from my usual 30 pages, I made the lining instructions the same as the exterior. So, you’ll have a zippered pocket on the inside and outside!

 I took the last white background photo just before we broke down my photo studio for storage, but to illustrate the size, we attempted to take some action shots… and failed.

Then we tried a few more times, and failed.

 Then Bob tried “helping.” I left him to take pictures of the ferry without my bag getting in the way.

Our final attempt was at the last possible second, and I basically gave up and ordered coffee and then the light changed and we got exactly two nice shots. :) (Bonus, Get Carded works with Opal!)

Can I just take a minute to talk about this fabric? It’s the new Cloud 9 barkcloth by Jessica Jones called Time Warp. The thick, visible weave on it is AMAZING, and it’s still drapey and not stiff like typical home dec fabric. I pre-washed and interfaced it with SF101, and I absolutely love the result. Half way through the OT Tote, I turned the fabric sideways and saw bow ties, and I suddenly needed a Bow Ties are Cool wristlet to match. <3 I NEEDED this fabric and there were shipping delays so Cloud 9 graciously sent me the very last of their sample stash. Thank you Cloud 9! I tried to put it to good use. :)

 You will find the Outta Time Tote in Issue 6 (Feb 2015) of One Thimble Magazine (affiliate link) OR you can purchase the stand alone pattern from the OT site – just click Shop and scroll down.  The magazine is well worth the $25 price tag. The patterns are written tutorial style with photos, just like mine. There are also articles about techniques and sewing. I went to print out my advance copy and it’s over 300 pages!

PATTERN NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE DUMD PATTERN SHOP!

 

I’m absolutely thrilled to be a part of this, and I’m so thankful to Jen for asking me. She has handled everything since I turned it over to her, so that I could focus on the trip and the pups. You should definitely check out the OT Facebook Page and Group to learn more. :) And I need to thank Kylie for introducing us! <3

And finally I need to thank my testers, who not only made these up quickly, but they sent promo pics! Here’s a handful of them, and you’ll find more over in the DUMD Facebook Group!

Left to right we have Grandma G‘s tote made with some of my fav Jessica Jones fabric, then Katherine’s awesome action shot, and an always classic hang-in-a-tree pic from Ramona. :)

And here we have Kimberly’s floral tote, Kylie’s Batman tote (!) and Flamingoes by Heather.

Jessica sent me these just now – love it!

So that’s it, the last new pattern for a while. I don’t even have sewing machine right now. I’ll try to blog any updates, and I’ll definitely post way too many doggie photos on Instagram and check up on what you’re sewing in the Facebook Group. For now I will leave you to it, because you should be sewing! <3

P.S. Pupdate is HERE.