Weekend Duffle Tote

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Cotton Canvas Printed Fabric: 1 yd
• Cotton Canvas Solid Fabric: 1 yd
• Mid-Weight Fusible Interfacing: 1 2/3 yds
• Non-Separating Sport Zipper: 22" long
• 2 Swivel Hooks: 1 1/2" opening
• 2 D-Rings: 1 1/2" opening
• 1 1/2" Belting/Strapping: 1 1/3 yd
• 1" Belting: 3 yds
• Sewing Machine
• Basic Sewing Supplies
• Iron
• Optional: 1 1/2" Adjustable Slide Buckle

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cutting Fabric:

• Front/Back panels: Cut 2 each from interfacing and print fabric, 10 1/2"x 21".
• Use the corner curve pattern to round the top two corners of each panel.
• Front/Back solid contrast: Cut 2 from solid fabric, 5 1/2"x 21"
• Front/Back Lining: Cut 2 from solid fabric, 15"x 21".
• Use the corner curve pattern to round the top two corners of each piece.
• Side Panels: Cut 2 each from interfacing and print fabric, 7 1/2"x 7".
• Side Panel Solid Contrast: Cut 2 from solid fabric, 5 1/2"x 7"
• Side Panel Lining: Cut 2 from solid fabric, 12"x 7".
• Bottom Panel: Cut 2 from solid fabric 7"x 21".
• Zipper Panels: Cut 2 each from print fabric, solid fabric and interfacing, 4"x 29".
• D-ring Loops: Cut two each from interfacing and print fabric, 4"x 4".
• Apply interfacing to the wrong side of all print fabric pieces.



2. Construct Outer Panels:

• Match the 21" edge of the front/back panels to the front/back contrast pieces, right sides together.
• Sew together using 1/2" seam allowance.
• Press seam allowance toward the solid fabric.
• Top stitch on the solid, 1/4" from the seam.



3. Add Handles to the Front/Back Panels:

• Make marks 5" from the center of the panel in each direction as guidelines for the inner edge of the handles.
• Make marks at the top and bottom edges.
• Cut 1" belting into 2 pieces, 54" long.
• Pin each piece to one panel, lining up the inner edge of the belting with the marked guidelines.
• Place a pin on each side 2" from the top of the bag to mark the end of the stitching.
• Before sewing, double check that the belting does not twist as it is pinned.
• Sew around the belting close to the edges, stopping at the marked pin.
• At the top of the stitching, add a box stitch with "x" through the middle to reinforce the stitching.
• Pin loop of the handles to the center of the panel to keep them out of the way for future steps.



4. Install Zipper in Zipper Panels:

• Measure the exact length of the zipper teeth including the stop.
• Add 1/2" to this measurement.
• Match printed fabric zipper panels right sides together.
• Mark with pins the length found in the step above, centered in the middle of the long edge of the panel.
• Baste with a long machine stitch and 1/2" seam allowance between these pins to prepare for zipper installation.
• Sew the remaining portions of this side with a normal stitch length, back stitching at the pin marks.
• Press seam open.
• Repeat with zipper lining.
• Pin the zipper, right side up, on the wrong side of the prepared zipper lining.
• Center the zipper teeth to line up with the basted section of the seam.
• Using a zipper foot, baste the zipper to the lining with a long stitch.
• Turn the lining to the right side and make sure the basting stitches appear centered around the basted seam.
• If needed, remove basting stitches and make adjustments.
• Pin the outer zipper panel to the lining, wrong sides together, sandwiching the zipper in between.
• Carefully pin around the zipper, keeping it centered on the seam.
• Stitch around the zipper using a normal stitch length.
• Backstitch across both ends to reinforce the seam at this point.
• Remove basting stitches from both panels.
• The zipper should be installed straight between the panels.



5. Make D-Ring Loops:

• Take one 4"x "4 fabric squares and fold two opposite sides in 1/2" and press.
• Fold these sides in to meet in the center and press together.
• Top stitch 1/2" from each side.
• Repeat for the second square.
• Slip a D-ring onto each piece and pin the raw edges together, forming the loop.
• Pin the raw edge of the loops to the short edges of the zipper panel, centered on the seam.
• Baste loop in place using 1/4" seam allowance.
• Pin the fold of the loop, with the D-ring inside, to the zipper panel to hold it flat and out of the way while sewing.



6. Sew Side Panels to Zipper Panel:

• Pin the 7" printed edge of the side panel to the 7" side of the zipper panel, right sides together.
• Pin the lining right sides together to the lining side of the zipper panel.
• The end of the zipper panel with the D-ring loop will be sandwiched between the side panel and lining.
• Sew across with 1/2" seam allowance.
• Press side panels down at the seam and topstitch on the side panel side with 3/8" seam allowance, catching the seam allowance.
• Repeat on the other side.
• There should now be a side panel on either side of the zipper panel.



7. Add Bottom Panel:

• The bottom panel will connect the side panels and zipper panel into a loop.
• The construction is similar to how the sides were attached to the zipper panel above.
• Pin one bottom panel to the bottom of the side panels, right sides together, matching the 7" long sides.
• Pin the lining bottom panel to the wrong sides of the bottom of the side panels, sandwiching the bottom of the side panels between both bottom panels.
• Sew across the seams with 1/2" seam allowance.
• Turn everything right sides out.
• The zipper, sides, and bottom panels should now be connected in a loop.
• All seams on the 7" width should be enclosed.
• Baste around the raw edges of the loop at 1/4" seam allowance.



8. Add Front & Back Panels:

• Pin the loop to the front panel, right sides together.
• Take care to match the seam where the solid contrast meets the print.
• The bottom panel of the loop should line up with the bottom of the panel, meeting the side panel at the corner.
• Sew from the bottom of one side panel, up around the zipper panel, and down to the end of the other side panel.
• Remove fabric from machine and adjust before sewing straight across the bottom panel.
• Open the zipper for turning before repeating the steps to attach the back panel.



9. Add Lining:

• Working with the bag inside out, flatten the bulk of the side/zipper/bottom loop and back panel to tuck neatly within the front panel.
• Pin down if need to keep clear when sewing in the following steps.
• Match the lining to the front panel, sandwiching the side/zipper/bottom loop and back panel in between.
• The wrong sides of the front panels are facing out.
• Sew around the front panel, lifting and pivoting as needed along the bottom.
• Leave a 6" opening along the bottom seam.
• Turn everything out through the 6" opening.
• Now the front panel is lined, and the seams enclosed in between the lining.
• Tuck the seam allowances in at the 6" opening and sew the opening closed by hand with a ladder stitch.
• Keep the bag turned inside out with the zipper open.
• Repeat the steps above to sew the lining to the back panel.



10. Finishing:

• Turn bag right sides out through the zipper opening.
• Press bag.
• Make the crossbody strap by finishing both ends of the belting by slightly heating and melting the cut ends with a match or lighter.
• This will prevent fraying.
• Fold one end of the belting though the ring end of a swivel hook.
• Overlap the end by 2".
• Sew the end in place stitching close to all edges.
• Repeat for the second end of belting.
• If adding an adjustable slide buckle, sew one end of belting same as above directions.
• Weave the slide buckle over the free end of the belting.
• Insert the end of the belting through the ring end of the second swivel hook.
• Weave the belting back through the slide buckle.
• Attach the swivel hooks to the D-rings at the sides of the duffle.