This is made from the charm squares received at each stop of a recent shop hop I went on. I did not care for any of the patterns for the lap quilt they were supposed to make. And, there were what I will call some very unfortunate looking fabrics to work with (good thing I love a challenge!). The lining and handle fabric came from the remnant bin of one of the shops on the tour. I found this pattern in my book of "gonna make someday" projects torn from magazines. The pattern is The Big Bag Theory (also known as Chubby Charmer --- that's me in a nutshell...LOL) by Penny Sturges and was printed in the April 2009 McCall's Quilting. It took a total of about four hours to make, and finished to a size of 18x13x9.

Oh I love that. The colors are great!!! Beautifully done.

You really did turn those unfortunate fabrics around - I love how you phrased that! - and that bag is fabulous! I'm going to have to see if I have that magazine somewhere. It would make great teacher gifts this winter - I need to make 3 again this year so I need to get on the ball and more sooner than later!!

That is a great tote! I have done several shop hops but they were just giving out a free block pattern. A charm square would be fun.

Nice bag, would make a great fabric shopping bag!

I love it, I am into bags at the moment. using up sample squares and odds and ends

Great tote - I love that !

I've used this pattern too, nice BIG bag! I use it for my cross stitch projects and keep my current project in it by my chair in the TV room. I changed the pattern and cut 3" x 3" sq. and it will make a nice size purse. love your bag!

Both bags are really pretty.

Love your bag, too! And, really like the idea of using smaller squares; I will have to try that.

Great bag! I have to agree they would make great teachers gifts!

I have some charm packs I have been trying to decide what to do with. I think I have an answer.

What a great idea I have been collecting Fat quarters as I travel and this would make a great keepsake for my traveling Fat quarters.

What a nice bag!

That is a nice tote! Turned out very pretty! And I like the handles!

Great tote, neat pattern.

What a great scrappy bag. I can see many uses for this.

Nice bag!! I love both yours and earlylace's! I think that would make a great diaper bag! Is the pattern still available or anywhere on line for free?

Its gorgeous :-P

I love it thanks 4 sharing.

Really nice bag.

Love your bag!

Great tote! Love the fabrics that you used. :thumbup:

Very nice!

If you google Chubby Charmer or Penny Sturges, you should get lots of responses on where to purchase. I don't know of anyplace that had it to download for free.

Thats very pretty both of you guys.

well, being a bag-lady, myself, I think you did a great job with these fabrics! :thumbup:

Here is the website that you can still buy the McCalls quilting mag April 2009 for this pattern, thats how i got mine. Lace
http://equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi..._prodid=109322

Nice bag.

What pattern is it? Where did you find it? Is it easy?

its easy, see my note above yours on how to get the pattern

Both bags are very pretty.

Nice Bag

Very nice!

Thanks for the link, earlylace but the shipping costs the same as the magizine, $12.95 total. Just not in the budget. :(

Here's a charm tote bag.. Since I don't seem to have that magazine copy - and I really thought I did which means it is probably mia in the craft room lol...

I found this one, not quite the same but for a teacher gift, I think it will do just fine :)
http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/05/...g-handbag.html

I agree. Thought shipping high.

love that great colors

I hope you're liking those unfortunate fabrics now because the end result is fabulous! Good job!

I love the sides of it---the way it is made.

What a great bag. I'm giving a quilted tree skirt as a present and think I'll make a matching bag to put it in. I'm gonna go dig out that issue of McCalls and make one this afternoon! Thanks for the inspiration!