Hello First name / there,

Welcome to Week 1 of the Pepin Tote Sew-Along! I'm excited to have you join along!

I put together a video on fabric selection which I hope you'll find helpful (scroll down for that). 

I'm giving us a little extra time between now and the the next email for the sew-along. Because I wanted to start out with fabric selection info, I hope it gives you time to get any materials and get organized!

Here's the schedule I'll be following for the sew-along:

Week 1: October 30 (today), fabric selection as well as cutting & fusing interfacing

Week 2: November 11, make front pocket & exterior

Week 3: November 18, make the lining (we'll go over both the magnetic snap and recessed zipper options)

Week 4: November 25, finish your tote!

I think this schedule should allow for plenty of catch up time if you miss a week. Because this tote is designed for the beginner in mind, it involves minimal time and materials. If you're cruising along and having fun feel free to go at your own pace, too. No rules here!

*If you'll be joining along using a copy of Making Magazine (the Pepin Tote was my contribution to the Simple issue this past Spring), the requirements will be a bit different than those listed the magazine because of additional options. Either materials list/quantities will work. 

Click the button below to purchase your copy of the Pepin Tote (PDF)!

Here's the video for Week 1 of the Pepin Tote sew-along! Click the image below to play the video.

In the video I go over fabric selection and at the end I have some clips of myself cutting and talking about fusing the pieces. All of the cutting measurements and cutting layouts are found on page 3 of the Pepin Tote PDF. If you're following along from the Making Magazine issue, follow the cutting measurements on page 26.

I recommend using the cutting list as a checklist, there are little boxes to check off as you go. Also, in the PDF, I've included Printable Labels to help keep you organized.

After this week you should have all the pieces cut and the interfacing fused to all corresponding pieces. Yay!

If you do need some supplies yet, I have five colors of 1"-wide leather straps to choose from including Medium Brown, Black, Copper (shown above), Natural, and Rustic. Be sure to choose the 28" length! Some colors might run out of stock, but check back as I'll be trying to get them re-listed as much as I can.

If leather isn't your thing you can choose from two colors of cotton webbing (2 yards of 1"-wide webbing will do the trick!). Or feel free to make your own strap from fabric, too (you'll want two 28" long 1"-wide straps). 

Zippers (for recessed zipper) and snaps (I recommend a size 24 snap) for the front pocket are both totally OPTIONAL, but are available in my shop as well.

If you're on Instagram feel free to add your images to the hastags:

 #PepinTote and #PepinToteSewAlong

Missed the first email?

If you missed signing up before the materials list email went out, you can view that here. (All info is also available in the pattern as well).