How To Sew A Designer Tote Bag (With Fat Quarters)

Introduction This lined tote bag makes for a great weekend project! The fun fabric and attention to details make this bag worth wearing with your best outfits. It is made with 2 to 3 contrasting fabrics, has pockets around the bag and has a magnetic closure. The overall dimensions of the tote bag are 10 wide by 10 tall and 5 deep. The straps are long enough to slide over your shoulder. Vary the look by choosing different types of fabric... choose fun contrasting fabrics for the binding and straps. A designer bag for less than $10!... make a few to go with your different outfits... or give them as gifts! Happy Sewing! Jenny T. Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 2

Supplies ~ 1/2 yard or 2 fat quarters Cut 2 pieces at 16 x 13 1/4 (Pattern Piece 1) Face Fabric (B) ~ 1/4 yard or 1 fat quarter Cut 2 pieces at 16 x 9 1/4 (Pattern Piece 2) Lining Fabric (C) ~ 3/4 yard or 3 fat quarters Cut 2 pieces at 16 x 13 1/4 (Pattern Piece 1) Cut 2 pieces at 16 x 9 1/4 (Pattern Piece 2) Strap and Binding Fabric (D) ~ 3/4 yard or 3 fat quarters ( I used the remaining black lining fabric for the straps and binding along the pockets. I used the remaining Fabric B for the binding along the top edge of the bag. ) Cut 2 binding strips* at 17 x 1 (for the pockets) Cut strips to get to 90 x 2 1/4 (for the straps) Cut 1 binding strip* at 30 x 1 (for the top of the bag) (You may need to piece a few strips together to form a long strip) * You can alternatively use premade 1/4 double-folded bias binding Magnetic Fastener (optional) Matching Thread and / or contrasting thread if you want the stitching to show along the straps New Sewing Machine Needle and Sewing Machine Sharp Fabric Shears Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat (recommended) Iron and Ironing board Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 3

Sew the Straps Step 1. Lay the strip wrong side up. Step 2. Press one long edge in 3/4 3/4 Step 3. Press the other long edge in 3/4. Step 4. Turn under the raw edge 3/8 and press. Sew a straight stitch along the folded edge down the length of the strip. Be sure to use a longer stitch if you plan on showing of the stitching. Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 4

Sew Your Tote Step 1. Cut a 2 1/2 square out of the 2 bottom corners of Fabric A, B and C pieces Step 2. Lay one Fabric B piece on a same size lining piece wrong sides together. Bind the top edge of the pockets. (Refer to the How To Bind chapter for instructions) Repeat for the second set of Fabric B pieces. These are your front and back pockets. Face Fabric (B) Step 3. Lay the fabric A pieces right sides up. Lay the binded pockets on the fabric A pieces. The lining side should be on the right side of fabric A. Align the bottom and side edges... pin each set together. Face Fabric (B) Face Fabric (B) Step 4. Lay the 2 new pinned pieces right sides together... aligning all edges. Sew the bottom edge with a 1/2 seam. Press the seam open and flat. Face Fabric (B) Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 5

Step 5. Lay the new sewn piece open and right sides up. Face Fabric (B) Face Fabric (B) Step 6. Fold the strap in half to find the center of the strap. Unfold Step 7. Lay the strap onto the bag so that one raw edge of the strap is 1/2 past the center seam. Lay the center of the strap on the center seam. The outer edge of the strap should be 2 from the cut-out square and 4 1/2 from the outer edge of the bag. 4 1/2 Step 8. Fold the other raw edge under 1 and lay it over the other raw edge. The folded edge should be in line with the center seam. Center of Strap Folded Edge 1/2 1/2 Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 6

Step 9. Stitch close to the side edges of the straps... sewing across at 1 below the raw edge of the bag. 1 Step 10. Fold the bag right sides together aligning top and side edges. Sew the side seams with 1/2 seam. Press the seams open and flat. Step 11. Fold the bottom corners so that the seams line up. Sew along the raw edges with a 1/2 seam. Step 12. Turn the bag right sides out. Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 7

Sew The Lining Step 1. Lay the remaining 2 pieces of lining right sides together. Step 2. Sew the sides and bottom edge with a 1/2 seam. Press the seams open and flat. Lining Fabric Wrong Side Step 3. Fold the bottom corners so that the seams line up. Sew along the raw edges with a 1/2 seam. Attach the Magnetic Fastener (optional) Step 1. Mark the center of the width of the lining bag along the top edge... on the front and back of the bag. Step 2. Place the fastener so that the top edge is 1/2 below the top raw edge. Step 3. Attach the magnetic fastener where you have marked. Make sure the fastner is on the right side of the lining. Refer to the packaging as to how to install the fastener. X X Wrong Side of Lining Bag Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 8

Assemble the Bag Step 1. Insert the lining bag into the main bag. The lining bag is still wrong sides out. Step 2. Bind the top edge of the bag. (Refer to the How To Bind chapter for instructions) How To Bind (1/4 ) Step 1. Lay the main piece right side up. Step 2. Lay the binding strip right side down aligning the top raw edge with the raw edge of the main piece Step 3. Stitch 1/4 from the top edge Step 4. Fold the strip over the raw edge to the back side of the main piece. Wrong Side Face Fabric (B) 1/4 Stitch In The Ditch Face Fabric (B) Step 5. Sew the binding in place by either stitching in the ditch from the front side... catching the folded edge on the back side... OR hand slip stitch the folded edge to the back side of the main piece. Refer to www.simplesewingprojects.com for a video on how to slip stitch. Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 9

Fabric A Cut 2 1 Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 10

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Fabric B Cut 2 2 Jenny T. www.simplesewingprojects.com 16

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