Maxine Project Tote
My Annie’s Christmas Candy afghan just keeps growing and I’m running out of room in all of my project bags to hold it. The last large bag I made for this purpose was the Carrie Tote I made at the beginning of this year. Unfortunately, that one isn’t really meant to be a project bag and so the yarn gets tangled in the flaps that close the bag. I did move this project into that bag about a month ago as it is the largest one I have but it has since outgrown that one as well! So, I’ve been looking for a larger bag pattern for some time with no luck…until…UREKA! I was watching my favorite bag vlogger, Oklaroots, and there it was - the Maxing Project Bag!
The Maxine Project Bag is a pattern by one of my favorite bag pattern designers, Kandou Crafts, and comes in three sizes. Obviously I wanted to make the largest one. I love that I not only have an easy pattern to follow but now I also have the step-by-step tutorial to follow. That makes this purchase a no-brainer. I also had the perfect fabrics picked out already. I had some yards of Lori Holt fabric set aside to make a large project bag. I finally gave up on that and was just going to use a beach tote pattern and add a zipper.
So I had everything ready to go but was worried because the pattern calls for 1 1/4 yards of the exterior fabric. But reading the pattern more closely, that would only be if I used the same fabric for the entire exterior and I really liked her photo on the front using a different fabric for the exterior snap pocket. So I was going to be just fine.
The pattern came together very easily. I like her patterns because you can either use the pattern pieces, or she gives you measurements to just cut the squares and then cut out the boxed corners. So you get to choose which way works best for you. Of course, the step-by-step video was a great help as I’m more of a visual learner and I like to see how everything fits together. I also got to use my rivet press, which I haven’t touched for a long time.
I did a few modifications. I decided not to make the interior snap pocket as I’m making this for myself and the slip pocket is really the only thing I’m going to use. After finishing the bag I realized that the handles don’t really look good once the bag is cinched up. And once you cinch the drawstring, you lose a lot of space in the bag for the project. Next time I make this I’m going to replace the drawstring with a zipper at the top to give more room and a cleaner look. I also extended the handles by two inches but they still looked really short compared with the size of the bag.
All in all, I think this a good, large project bag. This is the perfect size to hold a sweater or small blanket project. I plan on adding this pattern to the product line as the larger bag to round out my project bag options. I’m excited to make this again with the zipper! I think the front pocket adds a nice detail to the bag and some visual interest so it’s not just two big pieces of the same fabric.
You can watch the whole process of making this bag on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/o8c2vP5SE-Y
The Details:
Pattern: The Maxine Project Tote by Kandou Crafts
Video Tutorial by Oklaroots
Interfacing: SF101 and Fusible Fleece
Finished bag size: 13”w x 11.5”h, 6”d
Fabrics:
Exterior: Vintage Happy 2 - Multi Quilted by Lori Holt
Lining: Granny Chic - Green Kisses by Lori Holt
Accents: Vintage Happy 2 - Cayenne Hangers and Farm Girl Vintage - Honey Chicken Wire by Lori Holt
