Totes, not bow tucks purses
 

How many of you carry totes? Not bow tuck purses. Just totes, kind of like the Poochie tote.

Im interested in carrying my galaxy tablet, my wallet and keys. So I really dont need a big bow tuck purse. Just curious if another ladies out there might like carrying smaller totes. And I mean not child like totes...i made a poochie tote with dolphin material and I really like it. But am afraid it looks too child like.....

Wendy

I still use mine every day with my kindle. It's washable. It's functional. Best of all, I made it. Most days someone will see it and ask me where I got it from and start naming how they could use one, too.

Dolphin fabric I bet looks cool. Mine is made of apple fabric.

I have made a couple of bags. For one I used a pre quilted remnant and kind of made it up as I went along. It would hold a tablet and a few other things, but I use it as a purse.

All the time. I love doing my part to reduce waste. So I use totes for everything. Purses, travel, shopping you name it. I love that they are washable and reusable. So, :thumbup: go for it, don't worry what anyone else thinks. If it makes you happy and smile :), I say use it and enjoy.

tote pictures added
 

Im the original poster. Here are a couple of pictures of the tote I was talking about. Both sides of the tote are different, but both have dolphins on it.

Thank you for your comments!

Wendy

That does not look childish to me at all. I used this fabric for a lot of totes and they were always for grownups. Love the style you made the bag. If you don't know what to do with leftover fabric, make a tote (bag). You feel good and everyone else that sees it, will be jealous that you are so talented.

Childish? I don't think so. I'd proudly carry that tote.

That doesn't look childish at all! Very pretty!

I do like kids' stuff too, tho. I use a waist-pack or pockets for my important things ($, driver's license) and a small-medium tote for anything else I'm carrying. I enjoy bright and silly as well as elegant like yours.

Beautiful tote! Not childish at all.

I do most of mine with drapery and upholstery fabric remnants. Some of them I get funky with the linings.

Totes are so much fun and so useful. They're great for raffle donations too.

I love totes too. They are multi-purpose, and also make great gifts. Lots of creativity in a small space. Show your stuff! ;)

I just put a couple of pockets with zippers in the inside of the totes for the things that I don't want to get lost in the bottom of the bag. Always get comments on them. And I make them big enough that they can be used to put some of my purchases in.
I love your dolphin bag, it looks summery!
Laurel/oneteapot

Wendy, I love it. It does not look like a child's.

carry it! i have a quilted bag made of frogs and denim................

I made one out of some quilted place mats that I really liked that did not go with the current decor I had and I got lots of compliments (I love dolphins and anything beach related, if you like it that's all that matters)

Living in Fl,Dolphins seem very appropriate.I use a tote when I want to carry my iPad.Mine has 2 zipperd pockets & a couple with Velcro.So easy to wash & dry,inexpensive.Carry your tote & be proud of it.

I love to make totes. just so no one has one like it. and but the look you can get on the line in the store. what fun. use your tote and have fun with it.

I really like that tote and wouldn't hesitate to use it. If I made it I'd probably have dogs on it but that's just a personal preference. Your tote is very attractive and not child like.

Hey, nothing childesh about that, I love it, here are some I have made. I love them, just throw them in the washer and they are good to go again. The solid one is made fron Drapery Panels. The other is just scrap I had on hand.

your tote is adorable. It is perfect....not child like

I haVe no idea what a POOCHIE tote is, bu I own a blue zillion "shopping bagsd".., I use them for gorceries. For info for different meetings/groups. For books. For project storane.

I'm guesssing the tote you pictured is reversible

I love your tote and I don't think it is too childlike at all. I love the black and blue together.

Hardly, childish!

I love it!! I would carry it proudly!! :thumbup:

I love all your totes. I've been wanting to make some. As soon as I finish the baby blanket I'm working on I'm going to try one. I've purchased so many purses that end up in Goodwill because they don't exactly fit my needs. I have a bag from JoAnn's that I'm currently using but no pockets but even though everything is "just in there" I like it much better than any purse I've had. Thanks ladies for the inspiration.

Not childish at all! Sometimes I carry around my purse with "I Love Lucy" pictures all over it! Sometimes we need a larger tote, but sometimes I just carry one similar to yours with my iPad and my little Lazy Girl Magic Wallet (forgot the name).

I don't think that tote looks childish. I'd use it!

I love the dolphin fabric and don't think it's child-like at all. I have some and now you gave me an idea of what to do with it. Thanks.

Everyone here is AWESOME! Thank you for your replies. I feel much better about carrying it now :o)

I carry totes all the time.....more for DH stuff than mine! I make mine using the basic bow tucks pattern, but not adding the ties. The pattern is so versatile and easy to change to suit a particular need.

There is a pattern out there for a "mini" bow tucks pocketbook. I have the pattern but haven't made it as yet as I want to put a zipper in the main opening and use it as a regular pocket book. Love you dolphin fabric. I used that fabric to make my son, who is a nurse, a scrub. He loved the fabric also.

I use totes to try new block ideas and practice my machine quilting.I have limited space and this gives me a creative outlet and helps me use a little bit of my stash. I almost always carry one of my totes as a purse because they are usually large enough to get small purchases or well sealed takeout box (carefully placed on very top) into leaving me a free hand for my cane.

I love your tote - the fabric is great!

I have lots of totes in lots of different fabrics and sizes to fit my mood and needs - elegant, crazy, frivolous, and those that speak to my "inner child".

I love the idea of using trial blocks to make totes. I will definitely adopt that one.

One can never have too many totes!

And they are fun to give! I was at the store the other day and a sweet lady just raved about the totes I had for my groceries. I had an extra one and turned around and gave it to her and then left. Those can be the best gifts!

I like carrying totes. I always figure the fabric I use is for my pleasure and it doesn't matter what someone else might think. If they don't like my fabric, I probably wouldn't like theirs either. LOL.

I'm making a couple out of blue jeans.

I say let your style shine. It's cute, very summer beachey.

I made my first tote this week. I used Jenny Doan's tote pattern. While the tote was for my granddaughter to carry her music in, I like it so much that I am going to make totes for my daughters and for myself. As for your tote, I love it! Carry it with pride.

I would be proud to carry that bag. I only use bags that I make as does my mum.

I like your tote too. Looks like a grownup bag to me. I think I am going to have to make one for all my stuff, instead of a purse.

Making a tote from a free pattern or a video to watch
 

I've never made a tote but willing to try. Does anyone know of a free tote pattern or even better a video on how to make one?:)

Different totes
 

I use totes All the time, and so do my friends. i had to make some "favors" for some of my painting friends, so I took some paintings I had from when I used to teach,took them off the strechers and made then into fun one of a kind tote bags with pockets and coordinating fabrics. They were super simple and the girls loved them since they were so personal. totes are so fun since you can put your own zippers, snaps, customized pockets etc. You don't ever really need a pattern.