Hey everyone. Today we're making a sturdy everyday tote bag, and I'll show you how one yard of bold eagle fabric carries the whole project.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This one is American Freedom #3 Blue Eagles from Marshall Dry Goods.
It's 100% cotton fabric.
It's 45 inches wide, and it's sold by the yard.
The color named right in the fabric is blue.
And the print is eagles. Big, proud, and easy to spot.
That matters for a tote. A tote is two big, flat panels, so a great print really shows.
Center one eagle on the front if you can. Just like that, a simple bag looks planned and polished.
Because it's a 45-inch quilting cotton, it cuts clean, presses flat, and sews smooth.
One yard gives you the bag body and handles, with a little left for a pocket.
Why a tote bag suits this fabric
A tote bag is useful in real life.
Groceries. Library books. A quilt heading to show and tell.
We're aiming for about 14 inches wide, 15 inches tall, and 4 inches deep across the boxed bottom. That's big enough for everyday errands, but not so big it flops around.
A quilting cotton tote needs a little help, though. Add interfacing or batting so the bag has body and stands up.
Here's what I use and why. Medium-weight fusible interfacing keeps that blue eagle front crisp, without making the bag hard to sew.
We're not reinventing the wheel here. Two panels, two handles, boxed corners. Super duper easy.
Materials list
- 1 yard of American Freedom #3 Blue Eagles for the outer bag and handles
- 1/2 yard of a solid or small-print cotton for the lining
- 1 yard of medium-weight fusible interfacing, or batting cut to match your outer pieces
- All-purpose quilting thread in blue or soft white
- A size 80/12 needle for piecing, changed to a 90/14 if your layers feel thick
- Optional inside pocket piece, about 7 by 9 inches
Give yourself that full yard, folks. A directional eagle print takes a little extra room to center.
Brief steps
Step 1: Press and cut. Press first, and study where the eagles fall. Cut two outer pieces about 16 by 17 inches, centering an eagle on the front piece. Cut two lining pieces the same size. Cut two handle strips 4 by 24 inches.
Step 2: Add the support. Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of both outer pieces, following the maker's directions. If you use batting instead, baste it in place. Take your time here. It's not a race.
Step 3: Make the handles. Fold each strip in half lengthwise and press. Open it, fold the raw edges to the center, then fold in half again. Topstitch both long edges about 1/8 inch from the edge, for a handle about 1 inch wide.
Step 4: Build the outer bag. Pin the handles to the top of each outer piece, about 4 inches in from each side seam, loop hanging down. Sew the outer pieces right sides together on the sides and bottom with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Leave the top open.
Step 5: Box the corners. Flatten one bottom corner so the side seam meets the bottom seam. Measure 2 inches in from the point and draw a line across. Sew on that line and trim the extra. That gives you the 4-inch-deep bottom. Repeat on the other corner.
Step 6: Make the lining and finish. Sew the lining the same way, box the corners, but leave a 5-inch opening in the bottom for turning. Slip the lining inside the outer bag, right sides together, handles tucked between them. Sew around the top with a 1/2-inch seam, turn right side out, and close the opening. Press and topstitch around the top about 1/4 inch down.
Practical tips from my table
Slow down at the handles, y'all.
That's where the layers stack up fast. Outer fabric, interfacing, handle, and lining. Slow down or the needle can deflect and snap. A steady 2.5 stitch length will walk you through it just fine.
Want options? Make the handles shorter for a hand-carry tote. Or make them 28 inches long for over the shoulder. I prefer the 24-inch length myself, but it's completely up to you.
And here is the permission part. It doesn't have to be perfect. You're your own worst critic. If an eagle lands a little crooked, that bag still carries groceries just fine.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thanks for spending a little time with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the American Freedom #3 Blue Eagles 45" wide Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
