Sew And Go Tote

Quiltopedia

Posted by Apple Press

About

This tote is quick to make and perfect for Saturday morning trips to the market, afternoons with sewing friends, or just to carry all your day-to-day stuff in. The fold-over top and canvas bottom are cute design features, but it’s the fabric that really sings for me in this project.

Finished Measurements
• 16 x 20 inches

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You Will Need (7 things)

  • Assorted coloured Fabrics (bright, Japanese-style prints): 16 x (5-inch) sqs
  • Assorted BKG Fabrics (low volume prints): 16 x (5-inch) sqs
  • Heavyweight Canvas : 2 x (41⁄2 x 161⁄4-inch) rects
  • Lining Fabric A: 2 x (161⁄4-inch) sqs
  • Lining Fabric B: 2 x (41⁄2 x 161⁄4-inch) rects
  • Heavyweight cotton Twill Tape : 2 x (52-inch) lengths
  • 26 Fusible Fleece : 2 x (161⁄4-inch) sqs

Steps (11 steps, 120 minutes)

  1. 1

    Pair all the 5-inch coloured and BKG sqs together. Join to make HSTs. Trim to 41⁄2-inch sqs.

  2. 2

    Arrange HSTs into two large squares of 16 HSTs and join as a 16-patch. Apply fusible fleece to the reverse of each panel following manufacturers directions.

  3. 3

    Join canvas strips to the bottom of each panel and press seams towards the canvas. Top stitch 1⁄8 inch from either side of seam.

  4. 4

    Lay one piece of twill tape on top of the other, pin down the length, and join by sewing 1⁄8 inch from the edge down both sides.

  5. 5

    Making sure that the strap is not twisted, pin each end to the side of one panel. Align the top of the straps with the seam line between the first and second row of HSTs. The raw edges should stick out over the edge of the panel by approximately 1 inch.

  6. 6

    Pair panels, RST, and sew all the way around three sides, leaving the top open. Backstitch over the straps in the side seams for reinforcement. Press seams open.

  7. 7

    Box the corners of the outer bag by pinching together each side and bottom seam until they meet and form a triangle at the point. Pin this securely, measure, and mark 2 inches from the corner point.

  8. 8

    Sew along this line, backstitching at each end, then cut off the excess corner 1⁄4 inch from the sewn line. Repeat for each corner.

  9. 9

    Repeat steps three, six and seven for the lining fabric. When joining the lining panels together, leave a 4-inch turning gap in the bottom seam.

  10. 10

    Place outer bag inside bag lining, RST. Pin at side seams and sew all the way around the top. Turn through, press well, and top stitch 1⁄8 inch from the top of the bag. Slipstitch or top stitch the turning gap to finish.

  11. 11

    Press the top of the bag over into its natural folded position. Use steam and press a number of times to form a neat crease.