pattern

Social Tote Pattern: a collab with Carolyn Friedlander

I am so so excited to share this with you guys here!  I was super fortunate to design this pattern for Carolyn Friedlander for her new line of patterns in her Slow Sewing Studio!  I could not have been more excited when she first contacted me.

We worked together from the first sketches to the finished tote.  She had asked me to come up with something that would hold some hand sewing supplies and let me run free from there.  I wanted something that could sit on the arm of a couch, yet still be able to move around from place to place as you worked on your project.

It was so awesome being able to work with Carolyn.  She turned my design into an awesome pattern so please check with your local (or favorite online) shops to see if they carry it! (Here’s a list of retailers, too)

I think it has just enough details to make your personality really shine through.  Even a great gift to make for a creative friend.  It would be so cute loaded up with the pincushion (instructions include a pincushion that fits perfectly inside), some thread and needles and maybe a little stack of fabric or small scissors.  And don’t forget the little side pockets!  They quite perfectly hold a measuring tape (or whatever else).

The lining is quite special, it’s divided into 3 sections, yep, 3!  It was totally mind bending for me to try and figure out how to construct it.  I spend many a night awake thinking up different ways to put it together.  Almost gave up, thankfully with Carolyn’s encouragement I finally pushed through and figured it out.
So a huge thank you to Carolyn!

Pattern: Social Tote (designed by moi, perfected by Carolyn!) For a list of retailers, see HERE!
Fabrics:
Exterior – Essex Yarn Dyed in Black
Type by Julia Rothman
Lining – Type by Julia Rothman, binding tape fabric is by Cosmo Cricket (Tailor Made collection) and detailing on handles is Architextures

44 thoughts on “Social Tote Pattern: a collab with Carolyn Friedlander

  1. Jeni says:

    It’s so darn awesome! 🙂

  2. Colleen says:

    Love it! My mom and I are getting ready to start some Christmas embroidery for a craft show in November and this will be perfect to hold ongoing projects and tools. Great job once again!

  3. DKB says:

    So funny, I saw this the other day on some other sight and immediately thought of you

  4. gail says:

    how cool!! i love it, anna. that cute little front pocket!! and perfect fabrics, as usual. 🙂

  5. amandajean says:

    It’s wonderful Anna! What a great collaboration! I Love the fabric combination, too.

  6. That is adorable! Congrats to you 🙂

    Cindy

  7. Erin says:

    It looks amazing!! I love the fabric pairings and the shape is just perfect:).

  8. Way cute Anna! Just showed off my Super Tote at my guild meeting and lots of interest!

  9. Kelly O. says:

    YOU. ARE. A. MAZING!! Look at you go! this is awesome Anna!

  10. Amy DeCesare says:

    You know, I caught a glimpse of this tote a few days ago and thought it was reminiscent of the fabulous Divided Basket. Aha – turns out I was correct! You’re a genius…again!

  11. Tammy says:

    Ohh that is very nice.

  12. This new tote is wonderful! Congrats on your new pattern.

  13. Beautiful!!!!! Very Beautiful!!!!!

    hugs

    Maria Filomena

  14. Rachel says:

    So beautiful, and useful! I love your fabrics, now I just have to figure out to get hold of the pattern! 🙂

  15. Marie says:

    Love the fabric choices! As soon as I seen this pattern at pink chalk fabrics I had to order it! I haven’t put it together yet, but I will soon.

  16. dana says:

    This is so awesome Anna! It’s gorgeous. I love it. I need one. So cool!
    And congrats 🙂

  17. Dotted Whale says:

    Absolutely beautiful!!!

  18. This is so smart, and perfect for a crafting station!

    Kathryn

  19. Sew Minty says:

    Wow! This is so amazing Anna! you are so smart! I love the cute little front pocket! ^^

  20. SoozeM says:

    OMG that is totally amazing, I love it!! (hmm re-reading that I sound like my teenage daughter – like, whatever! 🙂

  21. Nilya says:

    sooooo sweet!

  22. Truly Myrtle says:

    What a fantastic opportunity! I love it – you’ve done a fabulous job 🙂

  23. how lovely. it’s a great pattern and I really love your original style

  24. Debbie says:

    This is really nice – SO useful! And I love your fabric choices. Very nice.

  25. Carolyn says:

    YOU ARE AWESOME!! thanks so much again. love love love it.

  26. Rachel Booth says:

    I really love this – when will it be available online in these retailers? I’ve been looking for it and haven’t found it?

  27. Marilyn says:

    Ooooohhh, lovely..the colors are gorgeous!!

  28. This is so so great! I totally love it–it looks perfect! Hope you are doing well Anna!

  29. Totally smart design. I’d love to make one!

  30. Cristel says:

    Woooooooooooooooowh , great idea and very well executed. I think I make one for my sewing work in bed, all my handsewing I do in bed. Due to healthproblems my bed stays in the livingroom so I can handsew whilst watching tv.

  31. Delia says:

    This is amazeballs Anna. You are the bag/fabric basket queen!!

  32. I absolutely LOVE this!!!

  33. Pooch says:

    How do I get this pattern in the uk? I can’t seem to find it!
    Thanks

  34. Rozy says:

    this is so great!! i’d love to make this using red-white pindot fabric from my stash.
    thanks for the chance. ^_^
    rozyrosly[at]gmail[dot]com

  35. Jenny says:

    Anna, I am making this *right now* and I have a question: This one (above) isn’t quilted, but every other one I’ve seen is quilted, and the pattern pretty much says quilt it. I wonder if you have any advice about quilting — did you find that they should all be quilted, or with a home dec weight perhaps you don’t need it? How did you find the structure on this one? I am NOT trying to skip a step. I do strongly value the structure. I just like the look of this one, and I am using home dec weight. I know the Soft n Stable does not require quilting. THANKS!

    1. Anna says:

      Hey Jenny, you’re right,it’s not quilted. this was one of the first ones I had made. I think quilting makes it sturdier, but I’m not sure if the soft n stable would be a good substitute for that, I’ve haven’t used that on the project myself. I had used peltex 71F (I believe) on this one. If it were me and I really wanted a super stable end product I would quilt it.

    2. Jenny says:

      that helps, thanks! I like the boxier look of this one, but I will use the Soft n Stable as called for and get the puffier look.

  36. Anonymous says:

    is there a PDF Version for sewer living in not in the US ?

    1. Anna says:

      I believe Carolyn might be producing the PDF, but not sure on the time frame of when it might be ready!

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