Sewing Frenzy: Book Tote, Place mats & Apron

The days leading up to Christmas were literally humming as my sewing machine aided in some fun and simple sewing projects: a tote for Frank’s sister Natalie, an apron for Betsy and place mats for Aileen. All projects took their inspiration from Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing book.
Book Tote
Simple square with exterior and interior pockets, one strap for over-the-shoulder or long enough to carry messenger-style.

Kitchen Apron
Cotton fabric apron with felt pocket shaped as a mitten, and canvas line to tie it in the back.

Place Mats
The canvas-like material was often too thick to sew through the doubled up corners, so will follow Design*Sponge’s method next time.

Start with an 11"x15" piece of thicker fabric

Turn it wrong-side up and fold a 1/4" on all four sides, iron to hold in place

Fold another 1/4" on all four sides, and iron to hold in place

Double folded, ironed and ready to sew

Sewn

Four place mats rolled together and tied. It's all about the presentation when you're a novice sewer.