Hey everyone. Today we're making a cheerful everyday tote bag, and we're letting happy little dots do the talking.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is Bali Dots Batik Sherbet from Hoffman California Fabrics.
It is a Bali batik quilting cotton.
It is cotton.
And it runs 44 to 45 inches wide.
It is sold by the yard.
The pattern is dots.
Simple, round, and easy on the eyes.
The colorway is Sherbet.
That name tells you the mood, folks.
Soft and sweet, like a scoop shop in summer.
The tags for this one list blue and orange.
Those two play so nice together in a batik.
A batik gives you color with depth.
It does not sit flat on the fabric.
It feels lived in, in the best way.
Dots are friendly that way, too.
They add pattern without shouting.
They work on a big panel or a small cut.
Cut it large and the dots dance.
Cut it small and they still read clearly.
Just like that, a plain tote gets personality.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Straight cuts, straight seams, pretty fabric.
The project: a cheerful everyday tote bag
We are making a simple lined tote bag.
Finished size is about 14 inches wide by 15 inches tall.
That holds groceries, books, and a project or two.
It fits over your shoulder with room to spare.
And it folds flat when you are not using it.
Why does this fabric suit it?
A tote needs a print that looks good all over.
Dots do that from every angle.
No direction to match. No motif to center.
You can cut with confidence.
And quilting cotton gives a tote nice body with a little help.
Add fusible fleece and it stands up on its own.
Super duper cute, and really really useful.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Materials
- 3/4 yard of Bali Dots Batik Sherbet for the tote exterior
- 3/4 yard of a coordinating quilting cotton for the lining
- 3/4 yard of fusible fleece or medium fusible interfacing
- 1 1/4 yards of 1-inch cotton webbing for handles, or extra fabric to make your own straps
- 50-weight cotton thread for piecing and topstitching
- Size 80/12 needle, rotary cutter, ruler, and clips or pins
Brief steps
- Cut two exterior panels, each 15 inches wide by 16 inches tall. Cut two lining panels the same size, and two fleece pieces the same size.
- Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of each exterior panel. Follow the package heat directions and press from the center out.
- Place the exterior panels right sides together. Sew the sides and bottom with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving the top open.
- Box the bottom corners. Flatten each corner into a triangle, measure 2 inches from the point, and sew across. Trim the excess corner.
- Repeat those steps for the lining. Leave a 4-inch opening in the bottom of the lining for turning.
- Cut the webbing into two handles, each 22 inches long. Pin one handle to each exterior side, 3 inches in from each side seam, with the loop hanging down.
- Slip the lining over the exterior, right sides together. Line up the top edges and sew all the way around with a 1/2-inch seam.
- Turn the bag right side out through the lining opening. Sew that opening closed, push the lining inside, and press the top edge flat.
- Topstitch around the top at 1/8 inch, then again at 1/4 inch. Use a 3.0 stitch length for that second pass. It looks clean and it holds those handles strong.
Practical tips before you sew
First, go slow at the thick spots.
Those boxed corners and handles stack up layers.
Slow down or the needle snaps. I mean it.
Walk it through if your machine hesitates.
Second, press as you go.
Press the fleece flat. Press the seams open where you can.
A tote that is pressed well looks store-bought.
Well, almost. Yours has better fabric.
Third, you have options on the straps.
Use webbing for speed. Make fabric straps for a softer match.
Make them longer at 26 inches if you like a drop.
Completely up to you.
And hear me on this one.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic.
A dot that lands a hair off center?
Nobody at the market will notice. I promise.
Take your time. It is not a race.
Load it up, step back, and smile.
Oh my goodness, those sherbet dots just cheer you up.
Alrighty. Thanks for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Bali Dots Batik Sherbet 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
