This is one of my pattern obsessions. I've lost count how many I've made. I love how precisely they come together, the usefulness of the pockets, the length of the straps and just how handy they are to keep in the car or folded away in your just in case you need one place. It's the Costa Tote by @helens__closet patterns . It's even a free pattern! The outer of this one is a pair of old trousers, the lining is some beautiful Indian block print from @sanskruti_store left over from a dress I have made for summer. I loved using the pink thread for topstitching. Note that this has been shortened by 2"

Virtual Sewing Room SEW-ALONG Saturday 13th January 2024. 10-4pm(London GMT) 🧵 As suggested by a participant, this session is designed to sew the same pattern together whilst on a virtual call together. We will be sewing the Costa Tote by @helens__closet This FREE bag pattern is a great scrap busting project, can be sewn as a gift and ideal for beginners.
 🧵 You will need to download the free pattern before the session. Ideally, you will have your fabric pieces cut out ahead of the session so we can start sewing on the day. If you don’t manage to cut out pieces on time,(life happens) come along still, and cut your pieces whilst some of us might be sewing. 🧵 The timings are for 10am - 4pm, with non-mandatory lunch break at 12.30-1.30pm. The Zoom call will remain open during this time if participants wanted to carry on sewing and chatting. 🧵A chance to chat and sew, and we’ll share our makes at the end - what's not to like! Sign up through Eventbrite - link also in profile. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-sewing-room-sewalong-tickets-752425564117?aff=oddtdtcreator 🧵 #VirtualSewingRoom #sewists #sewistsofinstagram #memade #imakemyownclothes #helensclosetpatterns #helensclosetcostatote #costatote #costatotebag

My sweet color coordinating child and my new @helens__closet Costa Tote bag 😊 This tote is my practice sample for a workshop I hope to teach soon 🥰 I upcycled some old denim for the outer layer and pocket. I has using men’s 38x34 pants, but had to reduce the height of the bag a couple of inches to avoid cutting over the pants pocket. This was the easiest way, although I may have been able to deconstruct the jeans more to accommodate the original pattern height. I also slightly reduced the pocket height, keeping to the intended proportions. Swipe to last picture to see my use of KATM sweary sewist labels, if that’s your jam 👍🏼👍🏼 Random parenting thought: you know how some languages have words that convey complex thoughts/feelings/ideas that there’s no direct translations for? I wish there was something for that feeling of watching your kid grow into an amazing and kind human but not knowing how or what you did to shape that or why you deserve it. ☺️

This is a Helens Closet Costa Tote made for our lovely neighbour Thelma who collects anything hedgehog related. As soon as I saw this from Jeff's fabrics, I had to buy it for her. She doesn't cook or wear an apron but she does do shopping so that was the project decided. She loves her new tote. @jeffsfabricsuk #jeffsfabrics

You had to have been there! 🌅 We love when our talented customers tag us in their creations! Even if you don’t want us to tag you, we’d love to feature you on our page. Feel free to DM us your pictures and videos! #costatote #memadeeveryday #pnw #sewersgonnasew #leatherwork #portludlowwashington #ankara #denim #ankaraanddenimmix #ntomaghana #ntoma #madeinghana #sunset #theasaaboutique #tab #madeinghana #accra #buyblack #womanownedbusiness #sheabutter #ankara #ntoma #ankarastyles #ntomastyles #blacksoap #helensclosetpatterns #helensclosetcostatote

It’s been 2 months since I’ve sewn. I wanted to go for easy, but maybe my idea of easy has changed. Straightforward can be ‘easy’. Fast can be ‘easy’. These were straightforward, but not fast (it’s hard to squeeze in time with the kids lately). I love the finished insides, the strength all the stitching adds, and the size. Still don’t know who is receiving what, but now I have a stash of potential gifts. Pattern is @helens__closet #costatote. I’d recommend it! It’s reversible and has 4 pockets! Fabric is from Walmart - the palms are a Waverly print and more lightweight and stretchy than the other two which made it frustrating when batch sewing to have it act differently. I do recall they were very affordable per yard, so that was nice! #k8cannsew #helensclosetpatterns #helensclosetcostatote

Made a little trick or treat bag from the #helensclosetcostatote pattern. Took about 4” off the straps and about 6” off the main bag body/lining. This is just done with some quilting cotton. Perfect size for a couple of preschoolers going trick or treating! #halloween #trickortreat #helenscloset #minnesotasews #memadeeveryday

An entry into #sewfruity25 . Thanks to #blossomsandwich for organising this challenge. This bag is the Helen's Closest Costa Bag, I'm in Australia, Yvette if you want to send a prize my way #helensclosetcostatote

My first bag make - the Costa Tote a free pattern from Helen's Closet. I made this at a virtual sew along on Saturday with 'The Virtual Sewing Room' run by sewitjenny. I added a couple of patch pockets to the lining and lengthened the straps somewhat so that it worked for me. Really enjoyed the sew along. The virtual sewing sessions are brilliant when you don't have any friends to chat to about sewing without their eyes glazing over after two minutes! I used some black canvas and a floral canvas that originally came from Pound Fabrics and the lining was a left over from an upholstery project. #helenscloset #costatote #costatotebag #helensclosetcostatote #poundfabrics #virtualsewingroom #sewingtotebags #sewingwithcanvas

The idea of making a tote bag didn't appeal to me. 
Who doesn't have tens of canvas totes already? It seemed wasteful and unnecessary. After making one as commission, I got it! Yes this is a canvas bag but it's the best version of a canvas tote bag and here's why: 
The straps are just the right length and width to sit on your shoulder comfortably. The bag is just the right depth and width that it fits a ton of stuff without being ridiculously large. How much stuff? My 17 inch laptop, its charger, a sweater and a KleenKanteen 500ml thermos, keys, wallet, etc While it’s an easy sew I made it more difficult for myself using a very small piece of fabric. I also added an inner pocket and a recovered magnet closure. 
 Pattern is @helens__closet Costa tote Fabric is canvas from an older @seeyouatsixfabric collection combined with fabrics from my stash #helenscloset #helensclosetpatterns #costatote #helensclosetcostatote #freesewingpattern #totebag #bagsewing #sewingforme #jecoudsdoncjesuis #jecoudsmagarderobe #tassennaaien #gratisnaaipatroon #naaienisleuk #belgiumsews #selfcaresewing #sewingproject #quicksew #sewwhatihave #stashbusting #youcanhackit

All Cotton. Bought at @julianlopeztelas Pattern: #costatote by @helens__closet #helensclosetcostatote

Ooooh the California beaches in December are NICE! Brought my #helensclosetcostatote (in blue cotton canvas with fun topstitching details) with me to the beach. The pockets fit my @rothys shoes perfectly. 🤩 So proud of this bag (I use it every day, tbh) and stoked it is so versatile for travel! 🌊🏝️👜 @helens__closet

@dimensionnails #furmom (1 coat) Happy Mother's Day! I thought this would be a perfect polish to wear in honor of the day. I haven't posted about it, but I've also been getting into #sewing. I noticed that my nails matched the pair of @helens__closet #CostaTote bags that I made this week and had to include some photos! Fabric is heavyweight #linen from @fabricsstorecom I've really been loving all the #FavoriteOrUntriedRedAndOrangeShades for #UntriedPolishChallenge2023 - orange is becoming one of my favorite polish colors to wear! This one also is an #UntriedDorForNumberBrands and #VibrantMayManis. Thanks to @kzoobeergirl and @sillymoosey_nails for these challenges! #nails #nailsofinstagram #nailpolish #MonthlyPolishChallenge2023 #dimensionnails #dimensionnailsfurmom #helensclosetpatterns #helensclosetcostatote #fabricsstorecom

This #helensclosetpatterns #helensclosetcostatote is made from an old pair of stretch denim jeans belonging to my eldest daughter, the yarn was gifted by a lovely neighbor from her belated mums collection. The #kylieandthemachinelabels are a gift from @granny.at.heart . The lining is the leftovers from another project($2 for 2m). The jeans waistband makes up the shoulder strap. This bag speaks of HAPPINESS. I’ll steer away from stretch denim next time. #memadeveryday #repurposed #repurposedclothing #repurposedfashion

Loved sewing these little llamas! This is the #costatote which is a free pattern from @helens__closet and has such great instructions. I made one of these as a birthday gift for my sister and couldn’t resist making another for myself 🙊 the fabric is an adorable polycotton from @rainbowfabrickilburn 🦙💙 . . . #londonsews #northlondowsews #helensclosetcostatote #helenscloset #llamalove #sew #lovetosew #beginnersewing #totebag

Ummm so it’s snowing outside... 🙄😭😭. I can’t bring myself to work on a sundress while it’s FREEZING so I’m getting started on 3 free accessory patterns I’ve been meaning to get around to. Follow along in my stories! . . . #sewday #ohiosews #toledosews #costatote #helenscloset #utlavernutensilwrap #helensclosetcostatote #closetcasepatternssewingmachinecover #closetcasepatterns #untitledthoughtspatterns

Space and my sustainable sewing pledge Day 2: #sewyourselfsustainable #seweverydayseptember Here are some very uncurated pics of my imminent sewing plans which counts for about half of my stash. I'm very excited about all my plans : a #helensclosetsuki, a #helensclosetcostatote, a few #megannielsenrowan and #soiannacoat (so excited)! But my pledge to move towards a more sustainable sewing practice is to go slow. I don't sew quickly but I sew a lot. I think I would like to make sewing a more sustainable activity in my life... not a mad addiction that I can't really keep up while keeping my job and friends 🤞 This is also connected to the nudge for #seweverydayseptember. In order to sew more thoughtfully and carefully, I think I need to put a little space between myself and sewing. I tend to sew in a mad flurry on the weekend, spreading my sewing mess all over the house. This September, I'd like to keep my sewing inside my sewing space and sew a little everyday/most days and not accumulate my sewjo until the weekend. I'd like these projects to last throughout the Winter, not just September. And why not? That's a fair amount of sewing! On another note, I love viscose for its drape and because it's a "natural" fibre. However, after doing a bit more research, I realized that it's normally produced in an extremely environmentally unfriendly/fabric production employee unfriendly way. As part of my slow sewing, I hope to spread by fabric budget out a little less and spend a bit more on each piece of fabric. I love tencel so instead of buying two pieces of viscose, I want to wait and buy one of tencel, for example. I know that this won't always be possible. I need a wearable wardrobe (how much ironing would a completely tencel wardrobe be? 😥) so I will put maximizing probable wear per make as a number 1 priority. #madridsews #memade #isew #sustainability Image description : two pictures of piles of various fabrics on shelves in a cupboard, some of the fabrics are already cut out. Hablando de "espacio" , no me queda espacio suficiente para traducir el post al castellano. Hablo demasiado para Instagram 😎

#sewingbags to stay sane on stressful nights. First is a self drafted tote with a 10-in square base and second is a #helensclosetcostatote. #ithaspockets #sewinggifts #upcycledfabric

Taking my Costa Tote around Newport Beach! I take it everywhere and use it for everything tbh. Right now it’s carrying my wallet, type 1 diabetes 🩸 supplies, Time magazine, tablet, gummy bears in case my blood sugar goes low (thanks @matthewtuttle0), iPhone, and a water bottle in one of the side pockets. Those pockets also hold my @rothys shoes when I want to walk barefoot on the beach! 🌊🏝️ I love the bright indigo cotton canvas and green topstitching along the pockets and straps. Peep my @choatesewco tag?? 👀 🥰#thanksimadeit #helensclosetcostatote #rothysinthewild #rothys #sewsewsew #type1diabetes #t1dlookslikeme #newportbeach

Showcase your super cute fabrics with this free bag pattern from @helens__closet . The #costatote is a roomy everyday bag, with four pockets. My favorite part is that your lining does not have to hide -- the bag is reversible!!! 🎉 Sew with me on YouTube at Sew-Happy (link in bio). #youtubesewalong #costatotebag #helensclosetcostatote #helensclosetpatterns #sewalongs #sewbag #diytotebag #diytote #youtubesewingtutorial #showfabrics #showfabricstyleinspiration #youtubesewist #freebagpattern #freetotepattern #freesewingpattern #freepattern

A quick project, this is the Costa Tote @helens__closet made in a wonderful cotton drill “Autumn leaves” magenta fabric @sewoveritlondon. I love this fabric and have bought three different colours in their sale. I made the lining out of the same which gives the bag a nice amount of body 🛍 #sewingproject #costatote #helensclosetcostatote #sewingbags #sewingbagsisfun #sewingwithcotton #sewingforme #sewinggifts #sewingisfun #sewingismypassion #sewingismysuperpower #sewersofinstagram👗✂️ #makersofinstagram #makersgonnamake #ilovetoplan #ilovetomakestuff #vegansewer

Another Costa Tote by Helens Closet Patterns. It's a lovely quick sew and I think I'm addicted. This one was made in an upholstery type fabric from Sheringham Market bought a couple of years ago with this pattern in mind. The bunnies were the draw. The bag stands up on its own. I broke 3 needles making the bag but it was worth it.

Not my most enjoyable sewing today. Usually my sewing machine is bomb proof but it was struggling with the thick layered hems turning these jeans into DIY shorts. I broke one jeans needle and had to scrap another as it kept snapping the thread. I only use Gutterman so it wasn’t a thread issue. Anyway, jeans now ready for my husband to wear for summer DIY and I turned the cut off legs into storage ‘boxes’. They’ve gone into my teens’ bottom drawer box to take to university in the autumn. I’m sure he’ll find stuff to put in them. #upcycle #upcycledclothing #upcyclejeans #upcyclejeansbag #jeanshorts #diyjeanshorts #jeansbag #diyjeansbag

Science! #helensclosetcostatote #costatote #boltfabric

Holiday sewing. This time a commission. Cause some times Saint Nick’s bag is kinda of old fashioned. But this @helens__closet Costa Tote is perfect for fill with all kinds of treats. Fabric from @ikeabelgium and lining in an #ankarafabric . Bonus: my one mended item: replaced the elastic of some of our cloth diaper covers. They are entering their 5th year of use and it’s showing. The PUL is starting to fall apart but they still work. This is a fun project. If making this again, I’ll add some length to the straps. #helensclosetpatterns #freesewingpattern #costatote #helensclosetcostatote #sewingwithankara #makeonemendone #mendingmatters #mendingmatters #slowsewing #handmadeinbelgium #hib #handmadeingent #belgiumsews #gentsews #imadethis #jecoudsdoncjesuis #couturebelgique

Chardon and Costa Tote My third Chardon, added 3” on to the length. I absolutely love this fabric, it feels so summery fresh and lovely quality. The fabric is a john kaldor bought from @sewessentialuk I made my first matching tote to carry lunch box etc. This is a @helens__closet Costa Tote. When I saw Jill @jillypopssews with her many, I just wanted to try one. Thanks Jill x Im delighted with the results, I made a base in the tote to give its shape and put little nics in the edges to keep it squared off. I also shortened the straps as I like to carry a bag. I like little totes. Reminds me of my Ted Baker totes. Happy me. Coast cardi from 2004 never seen a washing machine, hand washed as always. #ddchardon #chardonaddict #deeranddoepatterns #helensclosetcostatote #sewover50 #sewscottish #sewmyownclothes #coastcardigan #vintagecardigan #dressmakersofinstagram #homemade #husqvarnaopal690q #babylockimagine #sewessential#matchingoutfits #bespokedesign #handwash #helensclosetpatterns #helens_closet

This is my 7th finished project of #makenine2020 . I cut it out last Feb & a week later summer ended. It’s the Tessuti Eva dress in a yard dyed linen from SL. I lined the skirt in a cotton voile. It was very voluminous with the lining so I took out the pockets and slimmed down the silhouette until I was happy. It still has a bit of ‘swish’ ( photos 3-4😉) . Also I made another Costa Tote with some fabric I bought at @dragonmamafutonshop in Hilo last year. A fabulous selection of Japanese fabrics. #tessutievadress #tessutipatterns #evadress #helensclosetpatterns #costatote #helensclosetcostatote #sewover50 #memade #memadewardrobe #sewingwithlinen #tessutieva

My little sewist hard at work! #sewistsofinstagram #helensclosetcostatote #boyscansew #mnsews