Padded Linen and Rope Tote Bag

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Sewing machine
• Sewing notions
• Iron
• Rotary cutter & cutting mat
• Marking pen
• Quilters rule
• Fabric clips
• Rope, cotton, 10’x 3.04m
• Fabric, Linen, 1/2 yard each for outer and lining, 1/4 yard for loops and shoulder pad
• Batting, 2 @ 15"x 16", 1 @ 3"x 6" (shoulder strap)
• Large safety pin
• Tape

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut two of each 15" circle with points and top cutout, outer fabric, lining and batting. Layer one each: batting, outer RSU, lining WSU. Match edges of top cutout. Sew 1/4" from edges from one top point to other top point. Clip toward seam at corners. Turn to fabric on both sides of batting. Press. Line up outer curve of all layers. Baste close to raw edges. Repeat
2. Use pen to mark for quilting. Mark 1/4" down from bottom seam of top cutout for first horizontal line. Mark 1/4" out from side seams of top cutout for vertical lines. Make sure the lines are perpendicular. Continue lining marks as per template.
3. To find the downloadable template click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.
4. Sew along lines.
5. Fold top point down 1 1/4" to lining side. Point centered on panel. See template. Topstitch 1/4" from fold. Repeat.
6. Cut fabric for rope channels. Cut 1 @ 5"x 19 1/2". On WS, mark 1" in from one long edge. Fold both sides to line and press. Fold 1/2" folded side in again, press. This will encase raw edges. Sew 3/8" from both folded edges. Cut length into 6 @ 3 1/4" L. Fold in half WST matching raw edges. On RS of quilted front panel, line up raw edges of loop with raw edges of panel. See template for locations. Sew over original baste stitching on panel to secure loops.
7. RST front and back panels. Match raw edges and quilt stitching. Sew together 1/2" SA. Trim edges to original baste stitching. Zigzag stitch around edge. Turn RSO.
8. Make the shoulder pad. Cut 1 @ 4 1/2"x 8" same fabric as loops. Cut 1 @ 2 1/2"x 6" batting. Place batting on WS of fabric. Center on length (1" from either end), 1/2" from one long side. Fold 1/2" fabric on long side over batting, press. Fold other long side of fabric, matching raw edge with edge of batting, press. Angle trim corners of fabric to reduce bulk. Fold over ends at short ends of batting, press. Topstitch 3/8" from folded edges. Set aside.
9. Cut length of rope to 70". Wrap tape around ends of rope to prevent fray. Place a large safety pin through one taped end of rope. Feed rope through all loops. Overlap the ends of rope by 5", hold together with a clothespin. Sew doubled embroidery floss through the overlap of rope to attach. Center the WS of shoulder pad length over the rope overlap. Fold the "fabric only" edge of pad over the batting filled side. Hand stitch the length of pad to secure.