![Pinterest Challenge](http://www.sewtara.com/wp-content/uploads/Pinterest-Challenge1.jpg)
Well I finished this tote and I really love it. This is the first project I’ve made from my ever growing Pinterest board and I’m thankful to Michelle Patterns for presenting me with this challenge. I may be addicted. I picked the fabric up for $3 a metre at a quilting shop and I loved the vintage look of it. As a tote it’s turned out great!
![IMG_1630](http://www.sewtara.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1630.jpg)
I used this free pattern from UHandbags. The recommended handles are longer than the ones I used but I grabbed what I had on hand. It won’t go on my shoulder but it’s great to carry down at your side.
![IMG_1636](http://www.sewtara.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1636.jpg)
The pattern was pretty easy to follow but man, oh man, I’m not a fan of pleats! Also, I’m not sure what I did wrong, there were supposed to be 6 pleats and somehow I had room for 7 *shrug* But that doesn’t change the bag. However, that meant 7 pleats times 4 pieces of fabric, it was tedious. I do love the way the topstitching works and holds the pleats down. I’ve put pleats in totes before but they’ve only been sewn at the top.
![IMG_1635](http://www.sewtara.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1635.jpg)
Sewing the handles on was killer on my fingers, going through all those layers and trying to aim for the holes. I also tried to keep the interior stitches really, really small since I matched the thread to the handle colour but foolishly used black for the interior fabric.
![IMG_1634](http://www.sewtara.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1634.jpg)
Every time I make something new I take it into school to show some of the ladies I work with. The tote was well received. And then a bunch of them asked if I’m done the projects I’m working on for them. Good thing the weekend is coming!
See the other Pinterest Challenge participants here.