Cotton and Canvas Beach Tote

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1/2yd canvas fabric
• 1 1/2yd cotton fabric
• 1yd interfacing
• 1 1/4yd lining fabric
• (8) 1" grommets
• 80" total of rope
• Thread
• Ruler and rotary cutter
• Scissors
• Pins
• Iron and ironing board

DIRECTIONS:

Cut List:

• Canvas Fabric - (2) 30"x 12"
• Cotton Fabric - (2) 30"x 15" and (1) 19"x 17" (for the pocket)
• Interfacing - (2) 30"x 15"
• Lining Fabric - (2) 30"x 20"
• Rope - (2) 40" pieces

1. Locate the 2 upper/canvas pieces of fabric. Place the right sides together and pin along the 12" sides.
2. Stitch together using a 1/2" seam allowance, creating a looped piece.
3. Press the seam allowances to one side and topstitch about 1/4" from the seam line.
4. Locate the 2 lower/cotton pieces of fabric and the 2 matching interfacing pieces and iron them together. Make sure to pay attention to the instructions included with the interfacing.
5. Before sewing the bottom portion of the tote, you will create and attach the pocket.
6. Locate your 19"x 17" piece, fold in half with the right sides together.
7. Pin along all three open sides and stitch. Make sure to leave a 3" opening at the bottom.
8. Press open the seam allowances and clip the corners to remove any extra bulge.
9. Flip the pocket right side out and make sure the corners are sharp.
10. Press the pocket flat and make sure the opening raw edge is turned in and flush with the seam.
11. Topstitch a straight line approx. 1" from the top edge of the pocket.
12. Measure and mark the middle of your pocket with a vertical line.
13. Locate one of your bottom/cotton pieces and lay flat on your work surface with the right side up.
14. Find the exact middle of this piece and then measure 2" down from the top edge. This is where you will line up the pocket piece and pin down on the bottom and sides.
15. Sew the pocket in place. Stitching approx. 1/4" from the edge and pivoting at the corners.
16. Topstitch along the center vertical line that you drew earlier to divide the pocket in half. The pocket is now attached and you are ready to create the bottom loop of the tote.
17. Line up the front and back lower/cotton pieces with the right sides together and pin along the 15" sides.
18. Stitch together using a 1/2" seam allowance, creating a looped piece.
19. As you did earlier, press the seam allowances to one side and topstitch about 1/4" from the seam line.
20. Locate both looped pieces to attach together.
21. With the upper/canvas loop wrong side out and the lower/cotton loop right side out, slip the upper loop over the lower so the two are now right sides together.
22. Align the seams and pin around the entire loop.
23. Using a 1/2" seam allowance, stitch the pieces together.
24. Turn the large loop right side out and press the seam allowances down, then topstitch 1/4" from the seam to secure it.
25. Turn the tote inside out again and flatten it across your workspace.
26. Pin along the entire bottom and stitch across with a 1/2" seam allowance.
27. To create the 7" box corners, measure in from each corner 3.5" (from the seam lines) and mark to create a square shape.
28. Cut out this box on both sides and then pinch fabric together along the raw edges to flatten the corner and create a straight line. Pin.
29. Double stitch across this line with a ½" seam allowance.
30. Turn the bag right side out, push out the corners and press.
31. Along the top raw edge of the tote, fold inward and press about 1/2" of the fabric.
32. Fold an additional 3" around the top edge and press again. Put this to the side while you create the lining.
33. Locate your 2 large 30"x 20" lining pieces.
34. Place the pieces right sides together and pin along both sides and the bottom edges.
35. Stitch a 1/2" seam allowance on all three sides.
36. Measure in 3.5" from the edges to create the box corners just like you did earlier.
37. Cut out this box on both sides and then pinch fabric together along the raw edges to flatten the corner and create a straight line. Pin.
38. Stitch across this line with a 1/2" seam allowance.
39. Leave the lining wrong side out, drop it into your tote.
40. Tuck the raw edge of the top of the lining underneath the 3" folded-in edge of the tote bag. Pin.
41. Topstitch around the upper edge of the bag, about 1/4" from the top fold.
42. Then approx. 4" from the top fold, topstitch again around the perimeter of the bag.
43. For the four outer grommets, measure about 7 1/2" from the middle of your bag on both sides and 2" down from the top edge.
44. For the four inner grommets, measure approx. 2.5" from the side seams and 2" down from the top edge.
45. Cut the grommet holes and snap them into place.
46. Insert your two rope pieces on either side of your bag and tie.
NOTE: The approx. finished size of your bag will be 20"x 17".

JOANN HACKS:

• Before you cut and place the grommets onto the bag, it may be helpful to press the bag into its folded shape. It’s easier to do this before the grommets are placed so they don’t get in the way.
• Your grommets should come with a tool that will help you measure the exact size of the circle you will be cutting out.