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Cotton print: Outer front & back (see template),15" W x 15 1/2" H with 5" diameter curve centered at top edge and 3 1/2" curve bottom corners. Fuse Flex-Foam to WS. Liner front & back 15" W x 15 1/2" H with 3 1/2" diameter curve bottom corners. Handle straps, 6 @ 2 1/2" W x 5" L. Fuse Interfacing to WS. Facing, 2 as per template. Fuse Interfacing to WS. Set aside.
Cotton Contrast Print 1: Inset panels, 2 @ 5 1/2" H x 9" W. Fuse Interfacing to WS. Sides & bottom, 4 @ 5" x 22 1/4". Fuse Flex-Foam to WS of two (outer).
Handle straps RST lengthwise. Sew 1/8" SA, backstitch ends. TRSO. Press seam centered on one side. Place three straps, seam side up, on RS of front panel. Position one on either side of curve, parallel to top edge, 1 5/8" down from top edge. Place one centered at bottom of curve. All ends of straps overlap raw edge of curve by 1/2". Baste 1/4" from curve. Trim overlap strap ends to curve. Repeat for back panel.
RST front and one facing. Line up top edges and 5" diameter curve. Sew 5/8" SA. Trim seam to 1/8". Do not trim ends of straps. TRSO. Press. Topstitch 1/2" from fold. This will encase and secure one end of handle straps. Straps will remain with one raw end unattached until the handles are attached, the final step.
Inset panels to front and back. Center inset panel RSU behind curve of front panel (RSU). Match top edges. Baste 1/4" from top edges only. This will leave the inset panel loose on the sides and bottom until the handles are attached, the final step.
RST outer sides/bottom short ends together (two with Flex-Foam). Sew 1/2" SA. Open seam. Topstitch 1/4" from seam. Mark center bottom of front and back. RST pin front to sides/bottom matching center front and sides/bottom seam and matching top corners. Clip into corners 1/4" on sides/bottom to flare at bottom corners of front. Sew 1/2" SA. Trim seams to 1/4". Repeat for back panel. Set aside.
RST liner sides/bottom short ends together. Sew 1/2" SA. Press seam open. Mark liner center bottom of front and back. RST pin liner front to liner sides/bottom matching center front and sides/bottom seam and matching top corners. Leave 11" open centered on bottom to turn. Clip into corners 1/4" on sides/bottom to flare at bottom corners of front. Sew 1/2" SA, gently flare to 5/8" SA at bottom. Repeat for liner back panel minus an opening. Trim seams to 1/4" except for at 11" opening. Zig zag stitch around seams. Fold back opening edges to match seam and press.
Outer tote inside out. Pin handle straps away from top of bag. Set RSO liner tote inside outer tote. Match top edges and seams. Sew 1" from top raw edges. Pull liner out of outer. Pull outer through opening in liner. Liner RSO sew liner opening closed. Blind stitch or topstitch close to folded edge. Turn liner into outer. Press top edge of tote to stack seam. Topstitch 1/2" from top edge. Do not catch handle straps.
Set handles. Lay front side of tote over the end of ironing board or another flat surface. Lay one hoop handle on top of inset panel. Wrap the three straps over the top of the handle and tuck ends between the front panel and inset panel. Adjust the straps to fit snug around the handle. Pin straps in place. With a hand inside the tote pin around the topstitch on the front, 1/2" from edge of inset panel. Keep the inset panel and liner flat with the back of the front. Sew directly over the topstitch. Start and stop at the 1/2" topstitch at the top of the tote. Start stitching on the left side of the handle. Take this stitching slowly to adjust handle and fabric as turning.
Optional Scarf: Contrast print 2, cut one @ 6 1/2" W x 34" L. Fold RST lengthwise. Cut ends at 30 degrees, point of angle on folded edge. Sew 1/4" SA length and one end. Trim closed end point. TRSO. Press. Fold open end in 1/4". Press. Hand stitch end closed. Single knot scarf on hoop handle of tote.
JOANN HACKS:
Add a magnetic snap on a flap prior to adding handles. Center a tab on the inset panel. Attach snap to inset panel and tab.