Rainbow Tote {A Rainbow-Tastic Finish}

I finished my rainbow-tastic tote this weekend. I used the Garfunkel paper pieced block from the blockrockn series over at 627handworks and modified the market shopping bag pattern from Leanne at She Can Quilt.

The fabrics are a combination of saturated prints from my stash to make the hexagons and the back has some simply color Ikat diamonds prints. I paired it all with Essex yarn dyed linen in black. This is my first time working with the linen and I am a total convert now. It is easy to work with and adds such depth to the bag!

Just a little 8 x 8" block from some mini charm squares of simply color.

I couldn't decide on a thread color for quilting so I used them all! Here are a few close-ups of the 

quilting:

I quilted in straight lines with one color for 4-6 lines and then switched it out for the next color. I kept the bobbin the same white thread so I wouldn't have to change it constantly. The inside of the bag is one of my favorite prints from the birds and the bees:

I modified the finishing steps of the bag. Instead of making bias tape for the top, I folded the top over twice and top-stitched it down. For the handles, I used some heavy canvas and attached them to the outside of the bag. I basically made little pockets for the handle ends out of the linen and stitched it to the outside of the bag.

I love, love, love this bag. I was going to use it occasionally for looking fab at the library or farmers market, but it may have to accompany me on more mundane tasks as well. 

I'm linking up with Plum and June Let's get acquainted. If you found my blog through the link-up I would love to hear from you so I can check out your blog too!