This is a very easy, quick project pattern that turns out a beautiful tote bag you can embellish in hundreds of ways. Use your imagination to make unique gifts and to use your scrap fabrics and trims to create a new bag for every mood!
STEP 1.- GATHER YOUR MATERIALS & SUPPLIES - Here's what you will need
Fabric & Interfacing - 1/2 yard each of two coordinating fabrics for body and a piece of fabric large enough to cut two straps measuring at least 25' x 4'' for straps, and a coordinate large enough to cut two pockets measuring 8" x 9.5", 1 yard fusible interfacing (choose medium weight or appropriate weight interfacing depending on your fabric weight).
Notions & Supplies - Scissors for cutting fabric and for cutting paper, ruler, thread, pins, chalk to mark seam lines and dots, velcro closure or magnet closures (optional), brown kraft paper or other transfer cloth or paper to cut pattern pieces from)
STEP 2.- CREATE THE PATTERN PIECES - Make tote body pattern from paper: measure and cut out a 12" tall by 15" wide rectangle and notch a 1 & 1/2" square out of each of the bottom corners as shown above. Mark the pattern piece as I have in the photo with dots at the corners where the 5/8" seam allowances cross. Make sure to lay the pattern so that the grain of the fabric runs lengthwise. Mark your pattern with the grainline.
To make the tote strap pattern piece from paper, measure and cut out a 25" to 28" long by 4" wide pattern piece. To make the pocket pattern piece, measure an 8" wide by 9.5" tall rectangle. Mark 1.5" fold mark at top of pocket pattern piece and mark 5/8 inch stitching lines on all pattern pieces.
STEP 3.- CUT OUT YOUR TOTE &INTERFACINGS - Cut 2 body pattern pieces from each of two coordinating fabric pieces. Two for the outer shell and two for the inner shell (lining). Cut two strap pattern pieces and two pocket pattern pieces from desired coordinating fabrics.
Cut 2 body pieces and 2 pockets from interfacing. You may choose to use interfacing on the straps depending on the weight of your fabric. If the fabric is heavy enough, it will hold it's shape after the folding and sewing on the straps is complete without interfacing.
STEP 4.-PREPARE YOUR PIECES -
Fuse interfacing to back side of outer shell body pieces and pocket pieces with a steam iron according to fusible interfacing directions.
Mark circles with chalk or a marking pencil on body pieces at the notched corners and at the top edges where you want to place the straps
Turn under 1/4 inch on top edge of pockets and press, then turn under and additional 1.25" to form pocket facing. Press. turn in on sides and bottom of pockets 5/8" and press.
STEP 5.- OPTIONS - Before beginning to sew pieces, if you plan to use velcro or magnetic closures you will want to sew or attach those to the lining pieces, being careful to center them and placing them about 1.5" from top edges. Also if you plan to add any trim that needs to be sewn to the top edge so that the seam allowence covers the seam allowance of the trim you will want to add those embellishments before sewing the main pieces together.
STEP 6.- SEWING!! - I know prep is tedious, but it does make for a professional result... but now the fun part - SEWING IT UP!
Sew The Pockets - Believe it or not, the pockets take the most time
of the entire project! Ok, you have pressed down all your pocket edges,
you may choose to finish your pocket edges with serging, pinking shears,
or with fraycheck (a liquid glue that prevents fraying.
Next, starting at the top edge of your pockets, stitch down the 1/4" hem
on the pocket top. Then, making sure the side edges are pressed firmly
inward, turn down the 1 & 1/4 fold at the top of the pocket to the
inside of the pocket; topstitch the facing on the outside of the pocket
catching in the turned in sides.
Place pocket on body pieces
and pin in place. If you want your bag to be reversible, be sure to
position the pockets so that one is on the front of the outer shell, and
one is on the back of the inner shell. You may also choose to add
pockets to both front and back of the outer shell, and to both sides of
the lining if you like a lot of pockets.
Sew pockets to body
pieces along each side and bottom edge, reinforce stitching at upper
edges. TIP: I always slide the upper edge of my pockets in a scant 1/8"
on each side so that the pocket is not tight against the body fabric.
This creates a slight gap that makes it easier to use the pockets.
STEP 8.- Sew the Body - Sew the outer shell side seams to the markings at the notched corners, sew the bottom seam to the markings at the notched corners. as shown below.
Sew the lining side and bottom seams, being sure to leave an opening in one side of the lining for turning the bag right side out later. (see 2nd picture down.)
You may choose to finish the edges of your side and bottom seams now to prevent fraying
Sew the bottom corners - fold the bottom corners by matching the centers of the side and bottom seams and creating a triangle as shown below. Stitch 5/8" across the corner edge
Now it's time to press all your seams open. Turn outer shell right side out. Turn lining right side in. Make sure to press your bag pieces well now to create a nicely formed shape.
STEP 9.- Prepare and Sew Straps - Press 5/8" in on each side of straps, then fold strap in half, being careful to match edges closely, Press well to create strap.
Sew close (1/4") to folded in edges, then sew close to folded edge on each strap, top-stitch 1/4" in from outer edge stitching (this is the easy way, no difficult turning of long tubes necessary!)
Press straps flat and pinto markings at top edge of outer body shell
Stitch straps in place securely
STEP 10.- Finishing up! - Insert outer shell, right side out, into the lining (which is turned right side in), be sure the straps are down inside and in place. Pin side seams together and centers of each body piece. Stitch around the top of the bag, finish seam to prevent fraying.
Turn bag by pulling outer shell through the opening in the side of the lining
Press all edges well. If you plan to use your tote as a reversible one, you may choose to handstitch the opening in the lining closed. If you prefer you can stitch the opening closed by machine.
Finish by topstitching 1/4" from the edge all around the top of your tote.
Add trimmings, embellishments, flower pins, jewelry, buttons, or any other items you desire to personalize your tote ... AND VIOLA - You are done! ENJOY YOUR TOTE!
Click Here for How to Make Boxed Corners
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