Square By Design Fashion Tote Bag

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Square By Design® Square
• 1 yd 54" width fabric for back and sides
• 3/4 yd 45" or wider fabric for lining
• 1 1/2 yds 1" wide pleated grosgrain ribbon trim
• 3 yds lightweight fusible interfacing
• Sewing machine
• Basic sewing supplies
• Iron and pressing surface
• Rotary cutter, mat and transparent ruler

DIRECTIONS:

1. Note: Seam allowances are 1/2". If ironing is needed, use medium dry iron.
3. Trim Square By Design® square to 17" tall x 16" wide with design centered.
4. Fuse interfacing to wrong side of SBD piece. Machine zigzag stitch around outer edges to prevent raveling.
5. Fuse interfacing to back side of primary fabric. Cut one 20"x 16" piece for tote back and set aside.
6. From additional fused primary fabric, cut one strip 2"x 16". Pin right sides together to the top edge of the SBD piece and stitch. Fold strip outward and press.
7. From fused primary fabric, cut one strip 3"x 16". Pin, right sides together to the bottom edge of the SBD piece and stitch. Fold strip outward and press.
8. From fused primary fabric, cut four strips, 3"x 2". Place one strip, right sides together, on the left side of the SBD piece. Pin, stitch and press outward. Repeat for the right side. Stitch the remaining two strips to the left and right sides of the back piece in the same manner. Fold strips outward, press and set aside.
9. For the straps, cut two strips of interfaced primary fabric, 4"x 24". Fold one strip in half lengthwise, right sides together, pin, stitch and turn right side out. Press, keeping the seam centered on one side. Top stitch the two long edges of the strap. Repeat to make the second strap. Set aside.
10. Pin tote front to back along the bottom and sides. Stitch.
11. To box lower corners, lay tote on a flat surface, wrong sides out. Beginning with one lower corner, measure and cut a 1 1/2" square from the corner. Pull fabric pieces apart to align the side and bottom seams. Pin and stitch. Repeat with the remaining lower corner.
12. Stitch pleated grosgrain ribbon trim along top edge of tote. Position and pin trim so that the stitching on the trim is 1/2" below the top edge of the tote. Begin at one side seam, sew around tote top and overlap the trim one inch to finish. Cut off extra trim. Turn tote right side out.
13. Position ends of one strap 2 1/2" from the side seams of the tote front, right sides and edges together. Stitch in place. Repeat with second strap on back of tote.
14. Cut two pieces of lining fabric 20"x 20". Place right sides together, pin and stitch the sides and bottom, leaving an 8"-10" opening in the bottom seam. Box lower corners as in step 10. Leave lining inside out.
15. Assemble bag by dropping the tote inside the lining, right sides together, and matching side seams. Position straps between the tote and lining. Pin and stitch. Turn right side out through opening in the lower lining edge. Press lining opening and machine stitch to close. Position lining inside bag. Press well.