Summery Big Bang Theory Tote

The March / April issue of McCall's Quilting magazine has an awesome tote bag made from charm squares called "The Big Bag Theory".




It is shown in black and white Caliphon charm squares, and I LOOOVVVEEEE black and white!! I also love swirls and curls!!



So, of course, had to go online and find some of those!! They are winging their way here!! :-) Don'tcha just love the internet???




But in the meantime, I took a set of four bright summer themed fat quarters and cut 12 five inch charm squares from each and as you need 46 to make the tote, I had more than enough! I used a bright plaid from my stash for the lining and handles.



I quilted it by sewing wavy lines diagonally across all the corners in a primary colored variegated thread. It was so quick and easy to quilt it that way versus meandering.



I also used a different closure than the one in the magazine. It sure is big... would be perfect to pack up for a trip to a beach or pool. The whole thing including the cutting took maybe 3 hours. It would be a great project for using up scraps. In baby themed fabric, would be so cute to make for a baby shower as a diaper bag and fill it with baby stuff! You could make one out of book themed fabrics and use it to tote books to and from the library. Or you could pack it with quilt class stuff. Or out of teacher fabric, it would be an awesome end of the year gift for a teacher. The possibilities are endless! I'm making another one soon!!