Swell

I’m done with week 1 of the Simply Retro QAL (quilt-along).

The plan for this along is to sew through each pattern in Camille Roskelley’s new book, Simply Retro.  QAL-ers can make anything with their finished blocks, from coasters to quilts, or even a block that isn’t put together into a finished project.  There’s also a Flickr group.

This week’s block is called “Swell”.  The finished project in the book is a gorgeous quilt.  Look at those pretty swirls and the happy prints.  Definitely says summer! 

I had enough fabric cut to make two blocks and when I put them together, I didn’t quite know what to do with the finished strip.  

Until I folded it in half… voila, a handy little tote!

Yup, these fabric pieces are from Mel’s swap package – the amazing stuff that never ends!! 

This tote is fully lined and I added a couple extra pockets inside.  Very handy.

I would have loved to make the straps using the same red mini dot print, but I didn’t have enough, so I used white webbing instead.  Meh.

My finished tote is perfect for hauling around my (almost-finished-only-one-row-left-yay!) Vitamin D cardigan.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to be part of the quilt along each week since the summer is always so unpredictable with the kids underfoot, hah!  But, I’m going to try 🙂 I don’t think there’s a single project in this book that I don’t love!

Linking up on Jana’s blog.  Check out what the others have come up with.