Today I took on the Simple Tote from “Bend-the-Rules Sewing.” And I learned that the definition of “simple” is variable, depending upon your level of experience and comprehension.

I got turned around a few times on the project. I put the lining and the facing together the wrong way, so the raw edges are on display on the inside of the bag. And when I stitched all the pieces together and turned it right-side-out, I found that I’d trapped the handles in the tote’s insides. I had to fish them out and improvise, because I didn’t want to take the whole thing apart. (Because I’m lazy.)

The book calls for two different fabrics for this project. I came home with two from the fabric store, but I didn’t like them together when I started working. So I used all polka-dots, and I think it’s pretty cute even without the contrast.

It’s a smaller bag than I’d pictured (I’m not so good with envisioning dimensions), but it’ll work quite well as a little tote for Poppy.

I have quite a bit of the polka-dot fabric left over, so I may try to make another one tomorrow, to see if I can get everything right. Now, though, I have to disassemble my “sewing room” before Poppy wakes up from her nap.