I’m so glad you’ve decided to join me in making a Noodlehead Super Tote! If you don’t have the pattern yet, you can use discount code STSAL to save 20% from Noodlehead (discount good until August 31 2015). If you prefer paper patterns, you can also purchase one at Fabric Spark. If you still need some fabric inspiration, or planning your next one, you can use code HAPPY15 to get 15% off all Linen and Canvas fabrics at Fabric Spark (code valid until July 31, 2015).

I’ll break the Sew-along up over 3 days:

• Day 1(that’s today!)- Planning, cutting, and fusing
• Day 2 – Straps, pockets and zipper
• Day 3 – Assembling the bag

Let’s get started!  If you’ve purchased the PDF, print it out, cut the pieces and tape together where indicated.  Before we get to cutting fabric, we need to plan out the bag. I like to go through my pieces to write out a list of what I need to cut and then decide which fabrics I’ll use for them, or you can just follow the pattern’s suggestions (each piece specifies what to cut). Don’t mind my messy hand writing!

I also like my bags a bit firmer, so I’m not following the interfacing suggestions exactly. For my last Super Tote, I used quilting cottons, so I used Pellon Craft Fuse 808 and Fusible Fleece on my lining pieces and Pellon Shape Flex 101 on my exterior. This time around, my bag is mainly canvas, as the pattern calls for, so I decided on Craft Fuse for the lining and Shape Flex for the exterior. 

Extra: I like all my pockets to be fully lined, so I cut a second front pocket, and 2 extra interior pockets in a coordinating solid. This sew-along will have instructions to make the bag with these pocket linings.

Once you’ve decided which fabrics are going where, it’s time to start cutting! 

Tip: I find it faster to cut my interfacing first, then fuse it to my fabric and then cut out the fabric. I’ve also heard of others fusing large pieces of interfacing to fabric, and then they only need to trace and cut once – if you got your interfacing on sale, that might be a really good option. 

I also clip my pattern piece to my cut out pieces as I go, so I don’t lose track of what my pieces are. Sometimes I just write on the interfacing with a Frixion marker. 
I cross the pieces off my list once I’ve cut them; it helps me keep track and makes me feel better about the least favourite part of bag making (cutting and fusing).

Once you’ve cut and fused everything, place it in a nice pretty pile, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow to start sewing.