Among Miss L’s Christmas gifts was a new bento box. She’d started the school year with one but it came home from lunch bunch one week missing one piece, rendering it useless since it now can’t stay clipped shut.
I bought a replacement at a cute little store full of cute Sanrio products the day after Thanksgiving and immediately added a new bento bag and matching school tote to my Christmas-sewing list. I finally ended up getting to work on it the week after Christmas. It was an immediate hit with the little one (and received raves from her teachers after she returned to school).
The pattern for both (I’ll eventually get around to photographing the bento box bag) came from the Japanese sewing book Kids’ Bag & Goods. Sarah helped me figure out the math on the tote bag. While the book showed the finished measurements for the main panels, it didn’t have starting measurements — and having everything in centimeters was making my eyes twitch. The finished product looks pretty close to the one in the book, so I guess we figured right!
I used three fabrics: the strawberries on blue (maybe a Lakehouse fabric?), a red Kona cotton and a red-and-white gingham (I think from Michael Miller). I quilted the red cotton before making the tote bag. A bit more work but I think it looks super cute and totally worth the effort. And the tedium. Sewing a grid on fabric is not the most exciting thing I’ve ever done, for sure.
I did have one minor oopsie while working on the tote bag: When I was turning it through the lining, I ripped the lining about two or three inches from the gap up into the bag. I figured I’d just sew it shut but one of the folks at the retreat suggested making a little heart-shaped patch to cover it. It turned out to be the perfect idea and completely obscures my goof. Plus I told my daughter she was taking a little extra love from me every time she went to school, which resulted in a huge smile and an extra hug.
12 January, 8:33 am
How cute! And that little heart was SUPER clever! I tell you, Little Miss L gets more and more adorable each time we see her here!!
On a side note, I just love the vibrancy of the color in your photos–just so vivid…
Heathers last blog post..A New Year and I’m already behind…
12 January, 9:46 am
I love the bag!
I am trying to talk myself into getting brave and making myself a bag. I’m intimidated since I’m not a very experienced sewer.
Autumnesfs last blog post..The Best $5 I’ve Ever Spent
12 January, 9:55 am
Very cute! And while looking at the 2nd photo I saw the heart before I read about it and totally thought it was intentional.
Cute!
Domestic Extraordinaires last blog post..Haiku Friday
12 January, 1:43 pm
That’s just adorable! Cheerful and fun.
Ulas last blog post..I Don’t … um, Didn’t Sew Bags
12 January, 1:58 pm
i just love that tote. it is so sweet, and looks so professional. beautiful.
kaites last blog post..Surface
12 January, 3:07 pm
Wonderful tote and I love the photo of your daughter looking at the bag.
Lorrie
Lorries last blog post..Felt Flower Brooch
12 January, 6:19 pm
She is such a beautiful little girl– and I love the bag!
Marlyas last blog post..Sewing heaven
13 January, 12:33 pm
Awh…I love the little heart and I’m sure your little girl does too!
Mom At Works last blog post..Has anyone seen my mommy mojo?
14 January, 3:28 pm
I love the tote… and the colors are perfect! I have a quilt for Ella planned in that same color scheme.
Jessicas last blog post..A Very Specific Breakfast…
15 January, 5:45 pm
Sometimes a mistake turns out to be the best thing that could happen. The little heart is brilliant.
muralimanohars last blog post..In Australia, a Southerly means cool..
20 January, 11:52 am
So cute! I agree that quilting the red before making the tote totally makes it! But I’m still trying to figure out what a bento box bag is, is it the bag you have pictured?
21 January, 5:26 pm
OMG!!! That is such a cute Bag! How in the world to you do t hose grid lines so straight!!!
Tiff@Three Peass last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Then and Now