Wool + Wax Tote

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In December I was lucky to get my hands on the second Making magazine, called “Fauna”. Have you seen this magazine before?  It usually sells out pretty quickly (although it looks like some copies are still available on the website).  The magazine is full of wonderful things; many beautiful knitting, embroidery, and sewing patterns as well as cooking and slow living articles.  In this edition was a lovely pattern for the ‘Wool + Wax Tote’ by Anna Graham of Noodlehead.  As you can tell by some of my past posts (here, here and here are just a few), I’m a big fan of her patterns.

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After I received this magazine the hunt began for waxed canvas fabric.  Having never sewn with waxed canvas before, I wanted to touch it and check it out first instead of buying it online.  I happened to be in Portland and got to check out Z Fabrics.  Luckily they had many colors to choose from and what a great selection of jersey fabrics too!  I may have come home with quite a few things…..

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I’m very excited to show you my bag as I completely LOVE it!  It was inspired by a bag seen on Pinterest.  I used dark green ticking for the body and had off white muslin in my stash for the outer and inner pockets and the lining.  The leather straps I bought on Etsy.  The brown waxed canvas is from Z Fabrics.  Although this is a pretty basic tote pattern, Anna always seems to know how to push you a little out of your comfort zone to try new things.  A basic tote bag is much more polished with a waxed canvas bottom and leather straps!  The front has two outside pockets and also there are two inner, smaller pockets.

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This has been on my shoulder constantly.  It’s great to throw my knitting in, a pair of karate pants for the kids when we’re running around (or late to karate-ha!), my wallet, calendar and a magazine.  I think many more of these bags will be made.  What great presents they will make!