Oxbow Tote

Whether you are embracing a new skillset or seeking the next best thing to garment sewing, this pattern ticks all the boxes.

A substantial sewing project is right up there with a good book you simply can’t put down. Loosing yourself in the plot and learning with each new chapter offers you the opportunity to venture into a world, indulging your mind amidst the realities each day can throw your way.

Sewing accessories is a whole different ball game to garment sewing. With it, the opportunity to embrace elements of sewing that, up until now, you may not have tried. Fear not! There is something enticing about a ‘slow sew’. You are committed, less overwhelmed (taking all the time you need) and you’ll treasure the fruits of your labour. Making a conscious effort to grasp your own individual style will fuel your creativity for years to come.

Here are a few tips & tricks that helped me sew up the Oxbow Tote:

1.Take your time.

Really, do. I can’t express this enough. Giving yourself adequate time, you’ll make less mistakes and your sewing will be more accurate too. Cutting out all the pattern pieces needed for the Oxbow Tote in stages, helped me to not overlook anything. Lining and stabilising fabrics is a big part of the project and being sure I had all I needed, meant no false starts. I made the decision to quilt the Front/Back main panels, stitching together the main/stabilizing fabric pieces on the diagonal, 6cm apart as recommended in the instruction booklet. The result adds a subtle yet attractive quality that I know I would have overlooked, had I of been on a mission to whip up the pattern asap.

-Note: I cut out the main panels from the fabric/stabilizer I had pre-quilted. If you cut panels and then quilt them together, you are almost guaranteed to end up with a panel that is too small as the quilting process naturally pulls the fabric inwards in various directions.

2. Adapt.

If something isn’t working, use the knowledge you have to find a better solution. This is what happened to me when sewing the ‘Pull Tab’. Something so basic yet three failed attempts in, and I opted for hand stitching instead. Sometimes things work, other times they don’t. It’s not the same for everybody. Don’t be disheartened, just carry on.

3. Have fun.

Applying the front popper was a breath of fresh air. A hammer in hand and some wood to protect my work surface, I took a deep breath and went for it. That moment when the two join together and work… It’s like a mini firework going off in your brain.

4. Good handling.

Realise that at times you have a lot of fabric sandwiched together under your presser foot and it’s essential that you stitch accordingly and cautiously. My advice… slow your machine down as slow as possible and at times, where necessary, use the hand wheel on the side of the machine to be as accurate as humanly possible. It’s all about control. A longer than normal stitch length (recommended in the booklet) will help feed the fabric and join the fabrics effectively.

5. Take pride in doing a new thing.

I know sometimes when I look at a commercial bag, a raincoat or anything intricate with a lot of detail and hardware involved it’s hard to imagine being able to recreate something like that yourself. This pattern breaks down structure with excellent instructions and has you knocking out commercial looking bag handles that you’ve created from scratch. When you realise how something works and more often than not, how easily; there is a great sense of pride to be had.

6. Dedication.

“What you put in, you get out.” Isn’t that always the case? I feel like this is so true in home sewing. If you can splurge, hardware is the way to go. Adding professional looking hardware (zippers/snaps/buckles…) to any make takes the finished piece above and beyond. You skip the good bits and it’s like chicken soup without the chicken.

7. Customisation.

Having the option to tweak a pattern gives you creative control. I sewed up the ‘Overnight’ version of the the Oxbow Tote. It’s a great size, excellent for a weekend getaway. The pattern includes an inside pocket with the option to divide into multiple pockets, should you desire. The size of the original pocket fit my laptop perfectly, so I stuck with it.

8. Fabric.

This fabric design is so contemporary and classic all at the same time. It’s never going out of fashion. The combination of a bold print with the solid black makes for a stunning piece you’ll use time and time again. Being mindful of ‘fast fashion’ should be carried through into our own sewing. Investing your time and money making a go-to piece you know will get the wear it deserves is the ultimate outcome all of us home sewers want.

Now, put the finished bag over your shoulder and with a great sense of pride think… I made that!

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