Ollie Tote
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.I spent yesterday making the cute Ollie Tote. The pattern and kit came in my October Quilted Cow subscription box.
Ollie Tote
Sometimes it is fun to make a few changes to a quilt project.
Making A Few Changes
When I saw the Ollie Tote quilt pattern in my box I didn’t really care for all of the white in the center and thought I would use the cute fabrics for something else but I decided to just make a few changes to the pattern.
Ollie Tote Quilt Block
The quilt block was fast and easy to make, sorry I can’t share the size of it.
4 Blocks
It took no time at all to make the 4 blocks for the tote.
Original Blocks
This is the way I was supposed to sew the pieces together.
Add Yellow Sashing
I had enough of the yellow fabric to be able to add a sashing between the sections. I really like this idea.
Square Corners
I made the sashing piece longer than I needed so I could square up the corner after adding the sections.
Quilting the Tote
I wanted a wider bag so I cut the navy blue border bigger. Since I made the quilt blocks bigger, I had to resize the border and the rest of the pattern. I forgot to take a photo of that.
I placed ByAnnie Soft and Stable stablizier behind the quilt block and then just did some simple meandering.
Quilting
I didn’t do any quilting on the yellow fabric. The fabrics are called Honey Bees and Flowers Please by Tara Reed for Riley Blake and can be found at Green Fairy Quilts.
Improvise
I had to do a bit of improvising since I made the tote bigger. I didn’t have enough fabric left for the inside pockets so I just added some of the yellow fabric to it. I left a little navy showing at the top of the pockets and it looks like it was meant to be that way!
Inside of Tote
This tote was much, much faster and easier to make than the Travel Duffle Bag 2.1 that I just finished. This tote was made with a separate lining that is sewn to the top of the tote and then turned right side out. There aren’t any zippers either.
Adding A Bottom To The Tote
I also added a bottom to the tote which wasn’t called for in the pattern. I cut 2 pieces of foam core the same size as the bottom of the tote. Once again I had to sew 2 fabrics together to be able to make a sleeve to hold the foam core pieces.
Rusty Approval
I placed the tote on the ground so I could take a photo of it with Rusty but he wouldn’t go by it until I gave up and put it on the couch. He jumped up right away!
Tiger Eyes Sumac
I couldn’t resist taking a photo outside next to my beautiful Tiger Eyes Sumac plant. It went from lime green to this color almost over night!
Ollie Tote Video
I made a short video you might also enjoy!
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About Connie
Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.
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Very cute bag. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Connie, hope this finds you well in mind &body. Thanks for the overview of your latest tote bag. Do you feel you are getting your money’s worth from the subscription box. You changed the fabric as well as added/subtracted to the instructions. I am always tempted to try a box, but I have too much fabric, lots of patterns+tools. Are you receiving any other boxes? I can’t remember. So the main question is are the subscription boxes worth the money? I would appreciate your opinion.
Hi Robin, I am getting several subscription boxes right now just for fun and also a way for me to start making some videos. I think most of the time they are made for new quilters who don’t have some of the notions and like getting fabric with a pattern. I am comfortable with writing patterns and I do like to change things sometimes. The Quilted Cow box is $60 which does seem high but there is quite a bit in the box. I really enjoy Fat Quarter Shops boxes the best. I can’t really say if they are good for everyone but I enjoy surprises.
“sashing piece longer” great idea! This entire blog was full of wonderful ideas on how to make something with your own personal touches which is why we all sew! BEAUTIFUL tree! Rusty is hilarious! Enjoy the weather! Thanks for all the photos and tips and tricks!
Very nice bag. I like that it’s big and roomy and the yellow you added in the centre is much better than just the white. Now I want to make another tote! Lol
Loved your Ollie tote bag, the patterns does not look hard, I will try it out in darker colors so that stains do not show to obvious. Thanks for sharing.
Your version of the bag is much prettier than the original–very nice!
As usual, you did a great job with the tote. I guess it’s nice to step out of our comfort zone and try new things. I do this periodically, but mostly stick to my quilts. I love your sumac plant- it is beautiful. Does it ever have any blossoms in it’s life cycle?
Rusty is doing his great showmanship again!
Thank you so much for all your tutorials Connie. I have done several of your projects and always love them. I love this one too and hope to make it soon. Peggy
Oh your version is so much more interesting and much improved! Love it!
I think adding that extra yellow sashing was genius! It’s a very cute tote bag.
Great job, Connie!! You made all the changes I would’ve prefered too! Thx.!
Terri