Explorer Tote & Essex Wallet | Finished Projects

Hello Thanksgiving Week! Popping in to share my latest bag project. Lately I've been on a bag making kick and here is the proof, 2 bags within a couple of weeks! But with the busy holiday travel season almost here, I wanted a new bag to tote around.

When the Explorer Tote by Noodlehead came out, I wanted to make one. Well I finally got around to making one! Of course I made some modifications to make this bag work for my lifestyle.

The first modification I did was to leave off the exterior flap. If I were to use the larger size (I made the small size) the flap might be useful when packing as an overnight bag. But to use everyday, I just wanted to zip and go.

Since I left off the flap, I needed to modify the front pocket. So I added a zipper front pocket and it is the perfect size for my phone! No more digging through my bag to find my phone. Plus the zipper adds a little pop of color to the front of the bag along with the handles.

Plenty of space to tote around all the things I need during the day. A perfect travel companion.

And with a new bag, I just needed a new wallet. This was just the perfect excuse to make the Essex Wallet by SOTAK Patterns. This wallet is just the perfect size for me. I've tried wallets that can also car my phone, but I never keep my phone in them. Plus I am kinda lazy and just didn't want that difficult of a wallet to make. So the Essex Wallet was the perfect solution for me. A place for my cards, money, and change.

Made to match my bag, great way to use up those scraps! And the inside I utilized more scraps and continued the pop of color with the back and white exterior.

Both of these projects were so fun to work on. It is so nice to work on something that I know I can finish in an afternoon or evening. More bags are in the works and hopefully I can finish up a few quilts before the end of the year!

Happy Stitching!