Dolly Mama tote bag

[Sixinthenest]

I picked up a few of these totes at Joann Fabrics. They are microfiber (vinyl on the inside). I love how the stitching turned out on it. I had a little trouble matching thread to stitch the tote back together, but I decided I was obsessing. I had planned to give this away, but it turns out that my laptop fits beautifully in it! :)

[just_teachin]

WHEEEEEE! I love it! :congrats:

I picked up one of these to "experiment" on.... so glad you did, too! I can't wait to figure out what to put on mine! ;)

[artsiegirl]

I love it! You did a really nice job on the stitching, and I think the thread looks great from what I can see! Thanks for sharing.

[Ole' Girl]

Very, very cute indeed!

[anpola]

The colors are great! It's very cute!

[maureen patricia]

I have a similar bag that I would like to embroider. Can you let me know what type size needles you used?

Thanks

maureen

[Sewfaithfully]

Excellent work!

It sounds like you are like me in the obsessing department. Everyone tells me "Only you would notice that." when I do that over something. :p

[craftmama]

beautiful.. I would also be interested in what size needles you used.

[tflosses4u]

Turned out great...as my friend ALWAYS says to me because i too obsess over small details that nobody else would notice.."Nobody sees it on a galloping horse" ...yes, what needles did you use?

[Sixinthenest]

You know, it is funny about the needles. It never occured to me to use anything but the sharps that I use for embroidery all the time (75/11). I think I am still too new at machine embroidery to remember that different projects call for different needles. But, when it came time to stitch the bag back together, instinct led me to switch to a 'jeans' needle. No problem with either needle. I have a black tote just like the teal. I think I am going to do 'Big Girl Doll' on that one - maybe today.

[craftmama]

You know, it is funny about the needles. It never occured to me to use anything but the sharps that I use for embroidery all the time (75/11). I think I am still too new at machine embroidery to remember that different projects call for different needles. But, when it came time to stitch the bag back together, instinct led me to switch to a 'jeans' needle. No problem with either needle. I have a black tote just like the teal. I think I am going to do 'Big Girl Doll' on that one - maybe today.

please post a pic. would love to see it in black.

[NJMo]

Oh, maybe I'm the only one, but it never occurred to me to open the totebag and then re-stitch the seam when done. Duh. Now I will have a new project because I always passed up the pre-made totes because I did not know how to hoop and stitch them. Alas, another great idea from my now-favorite site.

[StitchinGrandma]

Oh that turned out really cute! How did the vinyl backing handle the stitching? Any problems there? I haven't seen those at JoAnn's. Must investigate.

[cruisin]

Oh that is very cute. Nice work. The re-assembly initimidates me. I like the embelishments...I think it adds a nice touch. I think it needs some kind of hang tag....like a luggage tag hanging off the handle with yet more dolly mama stuff. Maybe like making a bookmark?

You can never have too much dolly mama.

[nanamcd]

Well am I sorry I didn't buy a few of those bags to play with. :( DD was thinking about trying to line them with funky fabric after stitching on the outside (there was a bit of a flange to tuck the lining under, at least on the one I looked at) so maybe that is something you all would play with, too. I'm glad to see that they took the embroidery well. I guess it's back to JoAnn's for me. I guess there are far worse fates, eh? ;)

[Sew 'N Sane]

Well I just got back from my local JoAnns where I got 2 of those bags. Unfortunately, they didn't have the large bag in that beautiful teal. I guess I'll have to look at another JoAnns.

I just got a new embroidery machine, so I may just have to try out one of the designs on one of these bags. :p

:marchmellow:

[artsiegirl]

Well I just got back from my local JoAnns where I got 2 of those bags. Unfortunately, they didn't have the large bag in that beautiful teal. I guess I'll have to look at another JoAnns.

I just got a new embroidery machine, so I may just have to try out one of the designs on one of these bags. :p

:marchmellow:

Congratulations on the new machine! What model did you get?

[Sew 'N Sane]

I got a 12 needle commercial machine. It's got up to a 12"x12" embroidery area. I can't wait to get it set up in my studio. Unfortunately, my husband has wrenched his back and he can't help me. :(

I guess I'll have to wait for my 18 year old to get home from work.

:marchmellow:

[artsiegirl]

I got a 12 needle commercial machine. It's got up to a 12"x12" embroidery area. I can't wait to get it set up in my studio. Unfortunately, my husband has wrenched his back and he can't help me. :(

I guess I'll have to wait for my 18 year old to get home from work.

:marchmellow:

Oooh...I'm trying not to be jealous!:s:

[Sew 'N Sane]

Don't be too jealous...I'm going to have to work like a crazy lady to pay for it. :eek:

:marchmellow:

[Sewfaithfully]

I've always wanted to get a more "commercial" machine. But it has been that "working like a crazy lady" thing that has kept me from splurging.:p

[Sew 'N Sane]

Before I made the decision to get the machine, I called all my friends that own their own business and asked them if I could have their embroidery business. Of course, they all said yes.

Then, on Wednesday I was talking to my nieces husband and he told me that he had recently ordered $3000 worth of embroidered shirts and hats from Lands End. He told me that he would be happy to set me up as a vendor and give me all his business! :dancing:

I've already gotten my business cards from Vista Print and now I need to make up a bunch of samples to show people.

Of course, I have to get the machine upstairs, set it up and figure out how to use it first. :hmmmm2:

:marchmellow:

[Sewfaithfully]

Best of luck to you. I hope you get it set up soon, and..... I'll try not to be too jealous.;)

[Sixinthenest]

Oh that is very cute. Nice work. The re-assembly initimidates me. I like the embelishments...I think it adds a nice touch. I think it needs some kind of hang tag....like a luggage tag hanging off the handle with yet more dolly mama stuff. Maybe like making a bookmark?

You can never have too much dolly mama.

Oh, I like that idea, Cruisin. I keep a caribiner clip on my totes so I can hook my keys in an easy access spot. Maybe that caribiner needs a luggage tag with the purse or crown on it.

[carmelite]

great!!!!
love the color of the bag. really is in the spirit of the mamas!

e

[Carlene]

Wow didn't even think about using the bags. Well have to keep my eyes out for more....