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Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 5h00

a bold, colorful tote
I'll be creating a how-to soon on how to make it. It took me five hours because I wrote things down and took pictures.

I really quite like it!

Posted by Keeley C. from U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, United States • Published 15th August 2008 • See Keeley C.'s 20 projects »

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claraangelica.souza favorited Bold Floral Tote 03 Mar 23:06

Step 1
Choose your fabric.
The bold floral print is my outer fabric.
The pink polka dote one is my liner fabric.
Step 2
Print and cut out template
Body: <a href=”http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z119/kcgatorgirl/crafts/template.png”>[link]</a>
Top Band: <a href=”http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z119/kcgatorgirl/crafts/templatep2.png”>[link]</a>
Step 3
Trace onto the lining and the outer fabric and then add an extra ¼- ½ inch of fabric to provide a margin to sew. Then cut out all pieces. On the rest of the outer fabric, draw two 20 inch long by 3 inch wide strips that will create the straps. Cut this out as well.
Step 4
Pin the ¼- ½ inch of the edges down and then press with a hot iron on the correct setting for your fabric.
Step 5
Taking the strips that will create the straps, have them folded inside out and sew down the open side to create two tubes.
Step 6
Turn the tubes inside out, this can be difficult but the end of a paint brush or chop stick can help, it can also help to have sewn a piece of thin ribbon before sewing the sides.
Step 7
Sew both the long edges to give a more polished look, this also will flatten them out.
Step 8
Sew the top band of the lining to the body of the lining, do this with both parts.
Step 9
Repeat Step 8 with the outer fabric.
Step 10
Making sure the duller side is up, the vibrant sides facing each other, sew both parts of the lining together making sure the center seams match up before hand, it can help to pin random parts after this has been assured, don’t mess with the mouth of the bag, after you’ve finished, don’t turn this part so that the vibrant side shows.
Step 11
Repeat Step 10 with the outer fabric to create an outer shell except turn this part so the vibrant part is showing.
Step 12
Place the lining with in the outer shell and smooth it out so it all meets the edges fold the rough edges in and pin it down so you have a smooth edge.
Step 13
Pin the strap you’ve chosen to be in the back after pushing it down between the two parts about 1 ½” way in on both sides.
Step 14
(The next steps are optional; you can repeat Step 13 with the remaining strap if you want to.)With the remaining strap, fold up about ¼” twice on both ends. Pin in place.
Step 15
Press the ends of the remaining strap and the smooth edge of the mouth of the bag.
Step 16
Set apart the body of the bag. Taking the remaining strap, unpin the ends and then fold the corners into meet at the middle. Pin back in place, you can press the ends if you want to.
Step 17
Sew the points.
Step 18
Hand sew two 1” diameter buttons near the tips, one on each.
Step 19
Once the buttons have been attached, pin to the front, the tops of the buttons almost at your pinned edge, adjust the back strap so it hangs on your arm equal to the front.***END OPTIONAL STEPS***
Step 20
Sew the mouth with the straps together.
Step 21
You’re now finished! Enjoy showing off your new purse/tote!
Step 22
Helpful Things To Remember:
•As you go along, it helps to trim off the excess thread.
•You can add a pocket if you so please, I didn’t.
•Feel free to press creases after whatever you so please.