SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- Three varieties of quilting cotton - For this project use (1/2 yard of the light purple and the patterned fabric and 1/4 yard of the dark purple)
- Basic sewing supplies
- Sewing shears
- Tailors pencil/chalk
- Quilting batting
- Safety pins
- Hand sewing needle
DIRECTIONS:
A 8"x 5.75"x 5.75"A 6"x 3"x 5.75"x 5.75"
A 6"x 5.75"x 3"
B 5.75"x 4"x 4"x 5.75"
B 5.75"x 5.75"x 5.75"x 5.75"
B 5.75"x 3"x 6"x 5.75"
C 5.75"x 4"x 4"x 5.75"
C 5.75"x 3"x 6"
First you’ll need to cut your pieces according to the diagram given. This diagram gives the measurements for each square’s finished size. To cut these pattern pieces be sure to add 1/2 inch SA. You’ll need to cut two of each of these pieces, one for the front panel of the bag and one for the back panel of the bag.
Cut the lining of the bag by measuring out the perimeter of the pattern and adding 1/2 SA. Cut two. Repeat this same piece in the batting. Do not add SA to your batting.
Cut the handle pieces. These should measure 6" wide by 22" long.
To assemble the bag start by sewing together diagonal strips. Sew all the pieces marked A together at the edges, right sides together. Repeat this same process with the B pieces and the C pieces.
Once you have those three strips sewn together you’ll need to sew the a pieces to the B’s and the B’s to the C’s. Be sure to carefully match your seams! Take your time!
Once you have all the panel pieces sewn together you can attach them to your quilting batting. Secure the panel to the batting using safety pins or straight pins. You want to make sure the panel doesn’t move when you stitch, so add a pin or two to the center of each panel! Stitch in the ditch along all your seams to attach the panel to the batting. Now we’ll work on a decorative top stitch. Mark an x through the center of each panel using a tailor's pencil or a piece of chalk. You’ll measure straight down from each intersection on your panel and straight across from each intersection of your panel. Top stitch again, following the lines you’ve just marked.
Sew your straps. Iron your strap in half with the wrong sides together. Then unfold and fold the sides in to meet the crease you’ve just created. Iron those edges to meet and press. This is basically like making a really wide double fold bias tape. Once you have your pieces ironed, stitch along the sides of the strap, 1/4 inch from the edge.
Assemble your tote - pin your strap pieces to the peaks of your panel piece. Make sure that you align the strap and the peak so they’re centered. Pin in place. Then lay the lining piece over top so that the right sides are touching. Pin along the top edge, repeat with your other panel and lining piece. Sew along the top edge using a 1/2 inch SA. Trim the SA on the peaks when you’re all done and notch the v in the center of the bag.
Unfold one piece so that the right sides of both the lining and the paneling are facing you. The strap should be in the middle. Then lay the other piece on top of it so that the right sides are together. Match up the lining pieces so that they’re touching and the paneled pieces so they’re touching. Pin into place, taking care to match the side seam where the panel and the lining meet.
Sew along the sides of the bag and the bottom of the paneled pieces, leave the lining open along the bottom so you can flip your bag right side out.
Once your bag is sewn, flip it right side out and tuck the lining into the bag. To sew the lining closed you can hand stitch it with a ladder stitch or fold it over, press and use your machine and a matching thread.
Give the whole bag a good press and enjoy!
JOANN HACKS:
- Make sure to iron your seams well when creating the paneling for a professional look!