Maker Minute: Meet Maelynn from Mae Just Sew!

Hello friends! It’s Mae of Mae Just Sew, and today I want to share a little peek behind the scenes of one of my favorite bag patterns, the Meander Tote, and a tool that’s been a total game-changer in my sewing room: the Cutterpillar Swivel Mat.

Why I Love the Meander Tote

The Meander Tote has become my go-to bag for just about everything. It’s roomy enough for a weekend trip, sturdy enough for groceries, and still cute enough to carry every day. I love how versatile it is—whether you make it in canvas, linen, or even something scrappy, it just shines. And the best part? It’s fun to sew, with clean lines and plenty of space to play with fabric choices.

The Secret Weapon: My Cutterpillar Swivel Mat

Okay, let’s talk trimming. You know those moments when you’re squaring up a massive pile of flying geese or half square triangles, and you feel like you’re wrestling more with your cutting setup than your fabric? Same.

That all changed when I started using the Cutterpillar Swivel Mat. It literally swivels as you cut, which means I can keep my fabric in one place and just rotate the mat underneath. No more lifting, shifting, or re-aligning. And honestly? It cut my trimming time in half.

Plus, my shoulders and wrists thank me. I’m not contorting myself around the cutting table anymore.

A Little Encouragement

If you’ve been eyeing the Meander Tote or if trimming always feels like the “ugh” part of your project, I can’t recommend the Cutterpillar Swivel Mat enough. It’s one of those tools that makes sewing feel smoother and just a little more joyful, kind of like when you finally find that perfect pair of scissors or a seam ripper that actually works.

So if you’re ready to try the Meander Tote, grab the pattern in my shop and treat yourself to a swivel mat. You’ll thank yourself when your seams come together like butter.

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The Finish Line

From fabric stack to finished tote, this pattern is one of my happiest makes every time. Pairing it with the right tools just makes the process that much sweeter. 

Connect With Mae:

• Download the Meander Tote Project
• Mae Just Sew Instagram

Cheers,

Mae