A Finished Super Tote + How To Widen One

Last month, I FINALLY made a Super Tote for my mother-in-law, after she bought the fabric for it last April. Um, yeah, 14 months late! However, it needed to fit an A4 folder across the width, and it was juuust too snug. So I had to widen the Super Tote pattern. It therefore didn’t need to be as tall, so I shortened it too.

I added a half inch to the width of most of the pieces – the exterior pieces, the exterior pocket (and lining), the lining, and the inside pocket. As the pieces are cut on the fold, it totaled to an extra inch width. As my mother-in-law is a teacher, she was wanting to use this bag for carrying all her folders and papers and the like. So added width is exactly what she needs.

As I also took an inch off the height, I took an inch total off the lining, and a half inch off the exterior pieces – deep pockets are always a plus. The gusset I left as-is, as the inch I took off the height was replaced by the extra width.

Other changes I made to personalise it for mum:
– An added exterior pocket: one with a zip, one left open. Both fully lined.
– No recessed zipper: she didn’t want a closure so that she can easily get everything in and out.
– One interior pocket, not elasticised: I didn’t reduce the width enough to counteract not elasticising it, so it’s a bit floppy! But still usable.

This was also the first time that I’d used By Annie’s Soft And Stable… and I am a total fan! It’s truly fabulous for bags! Soft and squishy enough to cram through your machine’s throat, but bounces back to hold it’s shape and make the bag look nice and full. I’m definitely glad I had my walking foot though, with all the layers. The last little thing I wanted to share with is that all the exterior fabrics were cut from one piece of fabric as the Melody Miller print she chose in Japan had various designs as stripes that just happened to be the perfect width! The gusset diamonds, the exterior floral print, and the teal with gold spots are all from the one fabric. Much glee when I worked that out!

This is my second Super Tote that I have made, and I just love them. It really is a fantastic pattern, and I think it’s time to make me a new one… with Soft And Stable!