Hey everyone! Today you're going to learn how to turn a pack of strip pre-cuts into a go-everywhere tote bag that is pretty and practical.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This is the Black,White and Bloom Strip-pie Pre-Cuts.
It is from Benartex Studio, in the Contempo line.
The collection is Black, White and Bloom.
These are cotton strip pre-cuts.
You open the pack and you start sewing.
And oh my goodness, the idea here is smart.
What is better than a collection full of black and white fabrics?
One with some trendy colors added in!
That is exactly what this collection does.
Each of the prints features a monochromatic version.
And each print features a color version, too.
That gives you infinite creative possibilities in one pack.
The line features modern floral motifs.
They come in all scales, large and small.
Plus there are a few unique geometric coordinates.
Those geometrics add some extra pizzazz between the florals.
The overall effect is fresh and exciting.
It is super duper fun for a bag you will see every day.
Why this fabric suits a tote bag
A tote bag needs long, clean lines.
Strips give you those lines without extra cutting.
Sew them lengthwise and you get instant stripes.
Alternate a black and white strip with a color strip.
Just like that, the bag front starts to sing.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Try a simple finished size to start.
Cut your outer panels about 17 inches wide.
Cut them about 16 inches tall.
Sewn with 1/4-inch seams and boxed corners, that finishes near 15 inches wide, 14 inches tall, and about 4 inches deep.
That holds groceries, a laptop, or a quilting project.
Completely up to you.
Materials list
- 1 Black,White and Bloom Strip-pie Pre-Cuts pack — enough strips for two outer panels, plus extra for handles or a pocket if you like
- Lining fabric, about 1/2 yard of quilting cotton
- Fusible fleece or light batting, about 1/2 yard, for body
- Handle webbing, about 1 1/4 yards of 1-inch webbing, or extra strips to make fabric handles
- 50-weight cotton thread for piecing, and a slightly heavier thread if you like topstitching
- Size 80/12 needle for piecing, size 90/14 for sewing the thick handle layers
- Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler, pins or clips, and an iron
Brief steps
First, open the pack and sort your strips.
Make one pile for monochrome prints.
Make one pile for color prints and geometrics.
Second, lay out two matching strip sets.
Alternate dark, light, and color so nothing clumps.
Third, sew the strips together lengthwise.
Use a scant 1/4-inch seam allowance.
I piece at about 2.0 stitch length.
Press seams all in one direction as you go.
Do not stretch the strips as you feed them.
Let the machine do the work, folks.
Fourth, trim each strip set into a panel.
Fuse fleece to the wrong side of each panel.
Quilt a few straight lines along the strips if you like.
Stitch in the ditch works, or echo a seam or two.
Fifth, attach your handles.
Place each handle end about 3 1/2 inches from the side edge.
Stitch a boxed X on each end to secure it.
Slow down there or the needle snaps on thick layers.
Sixth, sew the outer panels right sides together.
Sew the sides and bottom, then box each corner.
For a 4-inch deep bottom, mark about 2 inches from the corner point.
Repeat the same sewing for the lining.
Leave a 5-inch opening in the lining bottom.
Seventh, turn the bag through that opening.
Push the lining inside, press the top edge flat.
Topstitch all the way around at about 1/8 inch.
That closes everything neatly and keeps the edge crisp.
Practical tips from my table
Here is my honest mistake to save you.
I once sewed a whole strip set wavy.
I was pulling the strips through too hard.
I unpicked two seams, slowed down, and it lay flat.
Take a phone photo of your layout first.
The photo shows value and contrast really clearly.
Swap one strip now, not after it is a bag.
Add an inside pocket before you sew the lining.
One simple divided pocket holds a phone and keys.
And here is the permission beat, y'all.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic, I promise.
If a stripe is a hair off, nobody will know.
Take your time, it is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty, that is your strip-pie tote.
Thank y'all so much for sewing along with me.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Black,White and Bloom Strip-pie Pre-Cuts at Linda's Electric Quilters.
