• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

Call Ajaire Logo

Call Ajaire

You can always Call Ajaire.

  • Blog
  • MashUp
    • Monthly MashUp
  • Designs by Call Ajaire
    • FREE PATTERNS
    • GIRLS
    • SWIM
    • OUTERWEAR
    • UNISEX
    • DOLLS
    • FOR THE HOME
    • ADD-ON
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • My Account
    • Designs by Call Ajaire Facebook Group
    • Designs by Call Ajaire on Etsy
  • Archive
  • About
  • Search

Senna Tote – A Little Something For Me

I finally feel like we are settling in after the Holidays and a long trip up north, so I thought I’d quickly share a Senna Tote I made for myself this week.

The Senna Tote by LBG Studio is a pattern I’ve been drooling over for ages now.  I finally bought it in late 2014 during a sale and couldn’t wait to make one of my own.  I really enjoy sewing bags, but for me it’s usually more time consuming than clothing.  It’s not that the technical details are tricky or anything, but there are usually more pieces to cut out (out of multiple fabrics AND interfacings) and when it comes down to it, that all just takes time.  And if there’s one thing I seem to be short on these days it’s time.
This weekend I’m going to New York to visit with good friends and go to their Theater People live podcast which I’m super excited about.  It’s just for a night, but this will be the first time in ages that I’ll be traveling alone.  I don’t want to bring a bulky suitcase with me on the train, so I decided it was time to finally whip up one of these totes.
The pattern goes together relatively quickly.  My favorite thing is that there are actual pattern pieces and not just measurements for each piece. I know that some people prefer to just be able to cut everything out with a rotary cutter, and sometimes I would agree, but most of the time I like to be able to lay out the pattern pieces on fabrics from my stash to see what will work or what I will have enough yardage of to use.  It’s much easier for me to visualize with pattern pieces than it is with measurements so I was really pleased to find a printable pattern.
For the bottom and straps I used a winter white upholstery fabric with a neat waffle texture from my stash.  It’s probably inadvisable to use white for the BOTTOM of a bag and it will most likely be filthy immediately, but I just loved how it looked so I went for it.  Maybe a nice coat of scotch guard will help?  Anyway, the main fabric is a floral drapery fabric that I only had one yard of which has been sitting in my stash begging to become a bag for years now.  The greens seemed to go well with the cotton + steel fabric I got from Imagine Gnats (*affiliate link) so I used it for the lining and inner pockets.  I couldn’t be more happy with how the tote came together.  Have you made a Senna Tote yet?  I know I’ll make at least one more for myself for sure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Donna Wucherer

    January 9, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    I love this bag Ajaire! I too am in love with totes and opening my spare closet will prove that in a hurry. The greens are beautiful. I think scotch guard is a great idea. Have fun in New York. A getaway with friends is always refreshing.

    Reply
  2. Karly

    January 9, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    I LOVE how "Spring" this bag is!!! It looks very very well made!

    Reply
  3. Ajaire

    January 9, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    Thanks Karly! The pattern is so well done that it makes for a really professional looking finish.

    Reply
  4. Ajaire

    January 9, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    Thanks Donna! I can't wait to use it this weekend πŸ™‚

    Reply
  5. Sarah Haag

    January 9, 2015 at 9:48 pm

    I love this so much! I have to make this bag ASAP! πŸ˜€

    Reply
  6. Ajaire

    January 9, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    it would have been perfect for your trip too! Also I planned to do a lot of things before the holidays….so I get it.

    Reply
  7. Ajaire

    January 9, 2015 at 11:15 pm

    Yours will be great!!

    Reply
  8. Cindy

    January 9, 2015 at 11:47 pm

    It's a great looking bag. Enjoy your night away!

    Reply
  9. Ajaire

    January 10, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    Nienke, this is the bag for you to try. Seriously. The instructions are so clear and there really aren't that many steps compared to some other bags I've seen. The pattern pieces really help to visualize it as your sewing too. You could totally do this one!

    Reply
  10. Ajaire

    January 10, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    Thanks Cindy! I think I'm most excited about the little alone time on the train where I can just listen to my headphones and read haha.

    Reply
  11. Nienke

    January 10, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    Well, I might give it a try πŸ˜‰ Does it require any non-common supplies? I depend on webshops, so need to plan ahead…

    Reply
  12. Ajaire

    January 10, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    No! Just normal interfacing (like what you might fuse to a collar) and then basic canvas (maybe a little lighter-weight than duck cloth) as an interlining. That gives the bag some structure without having to get any specialty items. The other fabrics are entirely up to you! Oh and a 22" zipper and two snaps. I used magnetic snaps so you wouldn't see them on the outside, but you could also use anorak snaps. Let me know if you'd like to know yardages πŸ™‚ Also, I'm not affiliated in any way other than I like Vanessa and LOVE this bag haha.

    Reply
  13. Kelley Gilbert

    February 9, 2017 at 10:23 pm

    Hello !

    As part of my February column about sewing trends for Sew, Mama, Sew!, I’d love to share your Senna tote. I will share one photo and link to both your project and your main blog address. (you can see past trends posts here: http://www.sewmamasew.com/?s=sewing+trends

    the post is scheduled for February 15. As per my agreement with SMS i do need your express permission to use one of your photos, so if you’d like to be included, please respond ASAP.

    thank you!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Looking for something?

join us on instagram

callajaire

So excited about these patterns in testing. Sneak So excited about these patterns in testing. Sneak peek of this amazing fold over elastic from @minervadotcom 😍😍
#dbcadiamondback #designsbycallajaire #sneakpeek
We had a fun craft night last week with the @redee We had a fun craft night last week with the @redeemer.lutheran moms group. Shout out to the ladies who braved the glitter vinyl/felt combo πŸ˜†πŸ˜† 
The finished product turned out lovely 😍😍
Testing is going well for the new patterns and I’m especially loving this @wolfandrabbitfabrics plaid right now 😍😍
#sneakpeek #dbcadiamondback #designsbycallajaire #patterntesting
This little cutie begs for β€œpictcha” any time This little cutie begs for β€œpictcha” any time I ask the nine year old for fit pics of a design. 
Sneak peek of the #DbCADiamondback 😍😍
#designsbycallajaire
The Diamondback Cami & Crop AND the coordinating D The Diamondback Cami & Crop AND the coordinating Diamondback Leggings are ready for testing!  Testing will begin on Tuesday the 9th and will end on Saturday the 20th.  These are two separate patterns, but will be tested in the same group simultaneously.  You can sign up for whichever (or both) you'd like, but as long as you complete at least one final version you will get both final patterns 😘
Works great together for dancewear or sport and as separates for casualwear.  The Cami & Crop are also able to made as swimwear 😍, but FYI this pattern doesn't include a swim bottom. (I do have a FREE #classicmaillotswimskirt available in the shop though πŸ€·πŸΌβ€β™€οΈ) 
Depending on the fabrics, the crop can also be used as an undergarment bralette.
The Diamondback Cami & Crop and view A of the Diamondback Leggings require fold-over elastic.  You can use any knit for both patterns with at least 75% stretch, but the leggings need 4-way stretch.  Sizing nb-16years

Sign up via the link in profile or here: https://forms.gle/zw9MGkoeFpmdvCJr7 
#dbcadiamondback #designsbycallajaire #pdfpatterntesting
Our teeny tiny infant no longer wants to sit in a Our teeny tiny infant no longer wants to sit in a high chair and thinks she’s a β€œbig girl” now. Send help 😭😭
Snow fun πŸ’•πŸ’•β„οΈβ„οΈπŸŒ¨πŸŒ¨ Snow fun πŸ’•πŸ’•β„οΈβ„οΈπŸŒ¨πŸŒ¨
Did you hear?? The Nini Noni Nightwear pattern is Did you hear?? The Nini Noni Nightwear pattern is 25% off in the @projectrunandplay shop this week!  It’s the only sale price this month and ends soon!!😊😊
I also designed an 18” doll version which is FREE in their shop. I’ve been making 18” versions of my patterns for years for my girl’s dolls, but this is the first one I’ve released to all of you so let me know what you think. More to come 😘😘😘
#dbcanininoni #designsbycallajaire #projectrunandplay #dollsewing #18inchdolls #18inchdollclothes
We had a great time at Great Wolf Lodge last weeke We had a great time at Great Wolf Lodge last weekend!  We avoided crowds, wore masks everywhere, and got take out from town instead of eating buffet (😬😬) We were a little nervous, but the hotel itself was doing a great job managing things in a safe manner and we were more impressed than we expected, even though we spent the majority of the time alone together in our room πŸ˜†πŸ˜† 
It’s amazing what a change of scenery can do for your spirit and the girls LOVED being able to spend the time away from school and work distractions πŸ’•πŸ’•
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Affiliates



300x300

MarbellaDressPDFSewingPattern250x250



Designs by Call Ajaire

Designs by Call Ajaire shop logo

Archives

Recent Posts

  • The Lounge Library Collection – Nini Noni Nightwear
  • Sewing Bound Buttonholes – how to give your look this professional finish
  • Hack-Stravaganza – a Romper MashUp
  • Cover-Up – Essential Pieces for a Summer Wardrobe
  • Watercolor Beach – Ripley Swimmers

Subscribe to Call Ajaire via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Call Ajaire and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Designs by Call Ajaire

Designs by Call Ajaire shop logo

I've always loved making. At an early age I started cross stitching and sewing and I taught myself to knit and crochet during college. When our seven year old daughter Bean was born I was filled with all sorts of inspiration, so now I find ways to manage my crafty time and treasure those moments. Though sewing is what I'm most passionate about these days, there's something about the portability of yarn crafts and embroidery that keeps drawing me back in.

Watercolor Beach pattern capsule

Watercolor Beach – the pattern capsule you need for summer

The new Project Run & Play collaboration is finally available for purchase and – you guys!! – this pattern capsule[Read More…]

Join our newsletter!

Stay up to date with exclusive offers and coupon codes in your inbox!

Quick Links

Shop

  • Designs by Call Ajaire

Layouts

Copyright © 2021 · Call Ajaire · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme