Terrific Totes!

I have such great pattern testers and they did such a fabulous job testing my latest pattern, The Sidekick Tote & Megan Travel Tote!  I want to share more pictures of these terrific totes made by my terrific testers.

Fran made her Sidekick Tote out of Tula Pink's, Elizabeth fabric.  It is such a great fabric for such a beautiful tote! I love how well the light blue zipper coordinates with the fabric.  You can find more of Fran's work here.

This Megan Travel Tote made by Teresa is bright and fun!  She used Skelanimals fabric for her tote.  I love how she used a coordinating fabric for the exterior slip pockets. 

The picture of the interior of Teresa's Megan Travel Tote really gives you an idea of how large this bag is!  You can see more of Teresa's creations here.

Melanie made a pretty Megan Travel Tote out of a beautiful blue and green paisley fabric.  The green piping on the slip pocket really accents the curve at the top of the pocket.  I love her coordinating lining fabric too!

If you would like to make your own Sidekick Tote or Megan Travel Tote, you can get the pattern for both bags either from my Etsy shop or from Craftsy.  Both sizes of bags are included in one pattern!  Enjoy sewing!

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The Sidekick Tote & Megan Travel Tote Pattern Release Day!

Today is the release of my latest pattern!  The Sarah Sidekick Tote and Megan Travel Tote pattern is my latest pattern with two size options.  The smaller Sidekick Tote is perfect for everyday use and the larger, Megan Travel Tote is perfect for packing for a long weekend getaway!  

This pattern includes 47 pages, a lot, but I also have included instructions to help you decide which pages you need to print and suggestions for printing to reduce paper waste.  The Sarah Sidekick and Megan Travel Tote pattern includes a table of contents, a list of all the fabric cuts for each tote, step-by-step instructions for making the totes, pattern pieces for all the cuts that are not rectangles, labels to keep your fabric pieces organized, and finished pictures of several totes. 

The Megan Travel Tote is on the left and the Sidekick Tote is on the right.

The totes in these pictures were made out of quilting cotton throughout.  Fusible fleece gives these totes a nice structure, but one of my testers used Flex Foam for the front, back, sides and bottom of her tote giving it an even more sturdy feel.  The pictures of the tote made by Paula Faes with Flex Foam are in my last blog post (Sunday, October 11).  The pattern includes yardage amounts needed to either use Fusible fleece or Flex Foam for the interfacing for the exterior parts of the totes.

I like the look of the exterior slip pockets on this tote.  They are made with an accent fabric  - a slight variation from the way the pattern is written, but it shows you that there are different ways to add your own signature to this pattern.

I love how the front zipper can either be an fun accent or less noticeable depending on what color zipper you choose to use.  The piping in an accent color really shows off the soft curve at the top of the four exterior slip pockets.

I think those mountains behind this Megan Travel Tote are calling! I think they are calling me! This pattern was a huge undertaking, so I might just have to pack up for a weekend getaway! ;)

The picture below really shows the difference in size between the smaller, paisley Sidekick Tote and the larger, Megan Travel Tote.

The top of these totes closes with a separating zipper.  It is great to keep everything contained, yet when it is open, the top zipper placket can be moved completely out of your way to make it easy to get things in and out of the tote.  A separating zipper is no more difficult to install than a regular zipper and if anything, I think it is in some ways easier!

The picture below shows another Sidekick Tote, actually the one I made while taking pictures along the way for this pattern.  There are over 100 pictures within the instruction part of this pattern to help you understand each step.  There are even more pictures some of my testers' totes at the end of the pattern for inspiration.

Here is a link to my Etsy shop, where you can purchase the Sidekick Tote & Megan Travel Tote pattern: Uniquely Michelle Etsy shop

You can use the following link to find this pattern on Craftsy:  Sidekick Tote & Megan Travel Tote pattern on Craftsy

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The Sidekick Tote

I am very excited about the release of my next pattern tomorrow!  In my last blog post I revealed some of the details of the Megan Travel Tote, the larger of the two tote bags that can be made from my next pattern.  The Sidekick Tote is the smaller version of the Megan Travel Tote.  Paula Faes, one of my pattern testers, made her Sidekick tote from ticking, giving it a very classic feel. 

I love the navy webbing that Paula used for the straps of her Sidekick Tote.

The Sidekick Tote boasts all the same great features that the Megan Travel Tote has - 12 pockets, a top zipper closure, a reinforced bag bottom, and strap pads.  I love how Paula added some fancy stitching and other accents to the interior pockets of her tote. 

Paula added a beautiful line of accent stitching to her padded tablet pocket.  You can also see a little bit of the expandable slip pockets on the sides of the inside of the tote in this picture.

While the Megan Travel Tote is perfect for a weekend getaway, the Sidekick Tote is perfect for everyday use.  Although the Sidekick Tote travels too (I use it to bring my work with me when I travel), it also works well as an everyday shoulder tote, a work tote, or a craft/hobby tote.  

The three interior slip pockets are easy to see with the accents that Paula added to her Sidekick Tote.

File folders fit well in the Sidekick Tote and all the pockets help keep everything nicely organized, whether it is work related, kid related, or your own items, everything will have its place in this tote.

This tote is stylish and ready for a day of adventure!

The Sidekick Tote got its name because it is the perfect tote to help any "Super Woman" stay organized with style everyday!

You can see more of Paula's creations here!

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The Megan Travel Tote

The tote pattern that I will be releasing in less than a week has two sizes, the larger Megan Travel Tote, and the smaller Sidekick Tote.  I named them different names even though you will be able to make both sizes with one pattern because the size difference between the two is significant and each functions very differently.

I want to give you some details about the Megan Travel Tote and at the same time share some pictures of a Megan Travel Tote that one of my testers made.  Marilyn Brandt of Shades of Bold made this beautiful Megan Travel Tote out of Home Decorator Fabric. I love Marilyn's beautiful and classy-looking Megan Travel Tote!

A side view of a Megan Travel Tote made by one of my testers, Marilyn Brandt.

The Megan Travel Tote is large, so much so that one of my pattern tester's husbands said you could fit a small child in it (this made me giggle :)).  The Megan Travel Tote is made for travel with its twelve pockets, zippered top closure, and padded straps.  Of the twelve pockets, seven are slip pockets, two are expandable slip pockets, two are zipper pockets, and one is a padded tablet pocket.  It has all the pockets you need to keep everything in its place when you travel.  

I love how this picture shows the interior pockets.  It also shows how the separating zipper works well to keep the top closure out of the way when the bag is open . . .

The top zipper closure will keep everything contained, but at the same time with its separating zipper, it is easy to get to everything that you have packed in the Megan Travel Tote.  The separating zipper makes it so that there aren't any zipper ends that confine the opening at the top of the tote when the zipper is open.  

. . . and yet still keeps the contents contained when it is closed!

Since you can carry a lot in the Megan Travel Tote, I wanted the tote to be able to handle a heavy load while still being comfortable to carry.  The bottom of the Megan Travel Tote is reinforced so that it supports everything you have packed and stays nice and flat even when it is full.  This tote is comfortable to carry on your shoulder even when it is full because the strap pads keep the straps from digging into your shoulder.

Such a beautiful Megan Travel Tote!

The Megan Travel Tote got its name from my daughter Megan who started her first year of college just over a year ago.  She wanted me to make a bag that she could pack her clothes and other items in for her week-long Thanksgiving and spring breaks.  With some suggestions from Megan, I designed the Megan Travel Tote.  She loves her tote and it works perfectly for what she needed and wanted.  I have since made several other Megan Travel Totes for other friends and relatives who all love how well it functions for a weekend or a week-long trip.  In my next blog post, I will write about the Sidekick Tote.  The pattern for both totes will be available starting Monday, October 12th!

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A New Tote Pattern

The big release day for my next pattern is October 12th - I can't wait!  With the release day getting closer, I want to show off a couple of my testers' creations.  But first, let me tell give you some general information about the pattern.  The Sidekick Tote and Megan Travel Tote are the names of the two sizes of totes you will be able to make with this pattern.  The smaller, Sidekick Tote is a nice size to use for everyday and the much larger Megan Travel Tote is a great weekender bag.  Here are some pictures from two of my testers. 

Sue Reed of Dreamscape Studio made a beautiful Megan Travel Tote.  She used quilting cotton throughout with the exception of the straps and bottom which are faux leather.  The piping at the top of the curved pockets is a plastic piping.  

The black faux leather straps really look great with the green leaf print fabric.

This picture gives you an idea of the size of The Megan Travel Tote - nice and big!

View fullsize

I always love bag bling!

Another one of my testers, Carolyn Hoxton, made this Sidekick Tote that is perfect for the season.  Carolyn made her tote out of quilting cotton.  I love this fun, fall-themed tote!

The polka dot print with the pumpkins is so perfect!

This is the perfect lining for a fall tote.

 I will reveal more details about The Sidekick Tote and The Megan Travel Tote, and of course more pictures, in my next post!

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It's Coming Soon!

My next pattern has been in the works for awhile now.  It will be ready for release in about two weeks!  My testers are just finishing up with it and then I need to make some final edits to the pattern.  I will share some of the tester's beautiful creations in another blog post soon, but for now I will share a few close-ups of the bag to keep you guessing!  Oh, the anticipation!

This shows a small bit of the inside of the bag.

What do you think?

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Back to Work - A New Pattern!

As I said in my last blog post (over a month ago!), I enjoy summer, but truly my favorite season is fall.  I like that fall brings cooler weather, amazing colors to my yard, and a schedule that gives me time to work!  

It is starting to look like fall in my backyard!

Now that my daughters are back in school, and I can have a more consistent schedule, I have more time to sew and write patterns!  So, let me tell you what I have been working on recently - a new pattern!  I am almost finished writing my next pattern and I plan to send it to my testers next week.  

This raspberry didn't last long after I took this photo - yum!

I won't reveal too much about it just yet, but I will tell you that this tote bag pattern that will have two size options.  I will be showing some sneak peek photos and share more details about this pattern over the next few weeks.  The tentative release date for this pattern is around the first week in October.  I am excited about this new pattern and I hope you will be too!

I have to enjoy these beauties while I can.

 If you want to stay updated about this pattern release or anything else that is new with Uniquely Michelle, please fill out the form below.  I will be sending out my first newsletter soon!

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Finding Time to Sew

I love summer, it means time with my girls, trips to the mountains, and long evenings spent on the patio enjoying the slow end to the day.  For all these reasons, I find summer frustrating as well - frustrating because I want to enjoy all summer has to offer, but I still want time to sew!  As a result, I am always on the hunt for simple, quick-to-put-together recipes for dinner.  I thought I would share one of my family's favorite summer dinners today.  Hopefully it will give you time to do what you love doing while still having time to enjoy all that summer has to offer!

Here is a picture before I added the chicken to the salad, looking good!

I call this recipe, "Romaine, Grape, and Sunflower Seed Salad."  It is my take on a recipe called, "Arugula, Grape and Sunflower Seed Salad," first published in the May 2008 Cooking Light Magazine.  My family loves romaine lettuce, so I use romaine lettuce instead of arugula. Originally, this salad was meant to be a side salad, so I added chicken to make it work as a main dish salad. I like to use leftover chicken from a previous night's meal, but if I don't have that, I saute some chicken tenders or chicken breasts that I have seasoned with my favorite seasoning salt.  I kept everything else the same in the recipe, except the first time I made it, I didn't have grapeseed oil so I substituted canola oil.  Now that I have made it with both canola and grapeseed oils, I will say that either oil works well in this recipe.

Yummy red grapes add a touch of sweetness to the salad.

Here is the recipe:

Romaine, Grape, and Sunflower Seed Salad

• 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon stone-ground mustard
• 2 teaspoons grapeseed oil
• 1 pound seasoned, cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 7 cups loosely packed romaine lettuce
• 2 cups red grapes, halved
• 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seed kernels
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine vinegar, honey, syrup, and mustard in a small bowl. Gradually add oil, stirring with a whisk.

Combine chicken, romaine, grapes, sunflower seeds, and thyme in a large bowl. Drizzle vinegar mixture over romaine; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat.

Super simple dressing!

I like to serve this salad with a side of sliced fresh nectarine or mango, bread, and a glass of wine (for my husband and I) - Yum!

The salad with mango and sesame bread from Panera Bread.

I hope you enjoy your summer and find time to sew!

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The Manhattan Bag by Janelle MacKay

The Manhattan Bag by Janelle MacKay of Emmaline Bags can be made in two sizes, the larger "Mamma" size and the smaller "Miss" size.  I had a customer ask me to make The Manhattan Mamma Bag for her.  The Manhattan Mamma is a nice, large bag with plenty of pockets to keep everything organized.  This bag would be perfect for a day spent out around town and can be made to look dressier or more casual depending on what fabrics are used.  

The Manhattan Mamma has several pockets including a large zipper pocket on the back of the bag, a slip pocket under the flap and another slip pocket inside the bag. The flap on The Manhattan Mamma makes this bag unique, it is actually a large pocket that opens with a zipper that spans the entire curved edge of the flap. Inside, there is another surprise - a case, perfect for sunglasses that is secured into the flap pocket with hook and loop tape - how ingenious!

Janelle, of Emmaline Bags, writes this pattern clearly and includes great illustrations, making it easy to sew The Manhattan Bag.  Although I only made the larger, Mamma size, pattern pieces and instructions for cutting and sewing both sizes are included in this pattern.  This bag went together quite quickly for a large bag.  The darts that give this bag its great shape are easy to sew and the zipper on the flap is easy to install with Janelle's great instructions.

There are some nice design features about The Manhattan Bag that make it easy to vary the look of it.  The zipper on the curved edge of the flap can either match or contrast with the fabric used on the bag.  When the zipper contrasts with the fabric, it frames the flap fabric beautifully.  The Manhattan Mamma bag I made has a black zipper to match the fabric, but I have seen pictures of Manhattan Bags others have made with contrasting zippers that look amazing.  The Manhattan Mamma also has a middle section that is partially covered by the flap where you can use a coordinating fabric.  In all, you could use four different fabrics on this bag, one for the flap, one for the main body of the bag, one for the middle section of the front of the bag, and one for the lining.  My customer wanted the entire exterior of her Manhattan Mamma Bag to have the same New York City-themed fabric.  I suggested, and my customer agreed, that adding a red contrasting piping on either side of the middle section of the front of the bag would add a nice pop of color - she loved it!

I loved making this bag and I hope to make one for myself very soon!  You can by the Manhattan Bag on Janelle's website, Emmaline Bags.

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The Seneca Creek Bag by Betz White

The Seneca Creek Bag by Betz White was fun, quick, and easy to sew together.  I had a customer order two of these and I will have to admit, it was difficult shipping them to my customer when I was finished, I wanted to keep both of them!  

The Seneca Creek Bag is a smaller bag with an adjustable strap that makes it so it can be worn as a cross-body, shoulder bag, or as a waist bag.  Although it isn't a large bag, it can hold all the essentials and then a some.  The envelope pocket on the front of the bag gives it a relaxed, fun style.  That relaxed style is brought out even more by the strap with the buckle on the flap of the envelope pocket.

The pattern instructions and illustrations for the Seneca Creek Bag are easy to follow!  The envelope flap and pocket are quite simple to sew together.  I didn't realize that the envelope pocket expands until I sewed this bag -  it is a perfect place for a cell phone, even a larger cell phone would fit easily in the envelope pocket.

I love the fabric combinations that my customer chose for her Seneca Creek Bags. She chose black denim for the main part of both bags and then she chose quilting cottons for the accent fabrics and lining fabrics.  The solid denim really showcases the other fabrics and the design features of both bags very well.

I can't wait to make a Seneca Creek Bag for myself!  I can see myself using this bag for a trip to the farmer's market or when going out for a casual lunch with my friends.

You can buy the pattern for the Seneca Creek Bag from Betz White's Etsy shop! Have fun sewing!

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