Tag Archives: handmade

Tote Tutorial ~ It’s a Cinch!


Posted by tlcinspirations

Our latest sewing tutorial is “A Cinch!” You can make this great tote, with minimal sewing knowledge! It’s a perfect tote bag for books, your laptop, a trip to the beach, or the market. The adjustable cinch ties on both sides allows the tote bag to be adjusted in size, making it appealing and practical. And, best of ALL, it’s handmade, by YOU!

Tote Bag Materials

You’ll need a sewing machine, thread, scissors, and fabric. A light weight to medium weight cotton fabric is suggested. Using a contrast fabric for the lining, underside of straps, and ties adds character. There are  5 parts to the tote bag, and below are the measurements that I used.

  • The body  Cut one 18″ x 36″ 
  • The lining Cut one 17.5″ x 36″  (allows lining to lay smoother)
  • The straps  4.5″ x 32″ Cut 2 from main fabric + 2 from contrast fabric=4 (these can be adjusted to your needs)
  • The casing Cut two 3″ x 12″ ( this can be altered up to 4″ longer, if you want more “cinch”)
  • The ties Cut two (I cut mine 1″ x 18″ but if you increase your casing length, you will need to adjust these accordingly, adding length)

Shoulder Tote Bag Video Tutorial

If you need help, feel free to contact me at bonnie@tlcinspirations.com.  Happy sewing!

Copyright © 2011-2012 TLC Inspirations. All Rights Reserved. This tote was designed and created by TLC Inspirations. Please feel free to make this tote for your own personal use, but this design and bags created using this design should not be sold, nor should this design ever be claimed as your own.

Sincerely, Bonnie :)


A Stitch of Hope


Posted by tlcinspirations

With Valentines Day around the corner, what better way to share love than to use your creativity to help some special children feel  l❤ved and supported?

 

Put Your Passion to Work!

If you are interested in putting your sewing, knitting, or crocheting talents to work for the good of others, I invite you to join the current “Littlest Warriors” (Project 16) at Craft Hope. We have participated in past projects and found it to be a great way to give back something creatively.  If you haven’t heard of them, please learn more about Craft Hope on their website. Jade Sims is the founder of Craft Hope, and continues to bring crafters and causes together to create items that are needed during crisis. Haiti, Birds rescued from the Oil spill, dresses for little girls in a Mexico shelter, and sock monkeys for the littlest burn victims, are just some of the successful projects at Craft Hope.

 

Cancer Breeds Warriors

The Littlest Warriors is their most current project, and they are asking for handmade beanies and bags for children that are facing a challenging journey with cancer. The children can carry their bags, filled with all their favorite things for their hospital visits, or treatments. You have the option to fill the bag with items that would delight any child (please use good sense, and keep safety in mind). Cute, unique, funky beanies are also desired (all sizes from babies to teens). And, don’t forget they need items for both boys and girls. It’s a great opportunity to create “stitches that count.” It doesn’t matter if you make one item, or 20, they are all needed, and wanted.

 

I hope that you will consider creating a special beanie or bag for a child that is so brave, and so appreciative.  The deadline is March 12, so there is still plenty of time. You can find all the information you need at Craft Hope.

 

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ~ Dalai Lama


TLC Inspirations “Tutes” on You Tube


Posted by tlcinspirations

Watch & Learn!

We are on You Tube, in case you haven’t heard yet! We started doing craft tutorials a couple of months ago. We started with  beginners crocheting, and sewing tutorials. Rachel did a great tutorial on Vintage Bottlecap Magnets, and Crochet Basics.  My videos cover some sewing basics, such as Threading the Machine, Sewing a Seam, and the newest, Blind Hemming. Creating videos has been a challenging, but rewarding experience for us. We love being a part of your creative journey, and providing support. And, we are learning a lot too, especially about making videos, which I had never done before! There is a certain amount of discomfort that comes with putting yourself “out there” and speaking into a microphone. I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone, but I am enjoying every minute of it. I know I have more to learn, but that’s part of the process, and it can only get better from here. I would have never seen myself producing video tutorials, but sometimes your path can lead to an unexpected place.

 

Our goal is continue to create, share, and inspire through our blog, You Tube Channel, and our handmade treasures. We wish to thank all of those that follow us, and if you are not a follower, we hope you will consider following us.