I discovered ita bags through Instagram recently. Ita bags generally refer to bags that are decorated with fan merchandise, but the term seems to frequently be attached to bags that have a clear vinyl layer to protect said merchandise from being lost or damaged. The most popular ones seem l to be girly pastel backpacks, but I wanted something super simple.
The Heart Eyes Ita Tote is nothing if not simple. I knew the pins would add weight to the bag so I didn't want to fuss with any interfacing, hardware, or zippers that would further weigh it down. The unlined 12" x 15" tote has a clear vinyl window and simple "pocket" for you to mount your pins on without risking losing or scratching them. The pocket is made with a layer of thin foam to ensure the bag keeps its shape and doesn't bow out from the weight of the pins, all while being a very lightweight bag.
The pattern includes three window shapes: a heart, cat, and oval. The instructions walk you through the process of preparing your vinyl, but don't worry, there's nothing difficult about sewing with this material. The only things you have to keep in mind with vinyl are that 1) holes are permanent and 2) sometimes the material can "stick" to the bed of your machine due to the texture. I usually use my left hand to hold the excess vinyl that's not under the presser foot to keep things moving along.
These bags are quick to make. You can go from uncut supplies to finished tote in under 2 hours easily. You can use quilting cotton or lightweight canvas too.
The pattern is available for $5 on my Craftsy Shop or $5.40 on my Etsy (price difference covers the Etsy fees). Share your projects on Instagram with the hashtags #HeartEyesItaTote and #iAmLunaSolPattern!
Don't forget to check out my enamel pins on Etsy as well as my current Kickstarter for my first collection of fanart pins.
