Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to make a sturdy everyday tote bag you will actually carry.
Here we go. The fabric is Bright Blue Forget Me Not Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard. It is a cotton fabric from Poppie Cotton. It comes from the Country Confetti collection.
The width is 44"/45". That width matters for a tote. You can cut both bag panels side by side. Just like that, you save fabric and time.
The color is right there in the name. Bright blue Forget Me Not. It is cheerful and clear. You will spot this tote fast, folks.
I like quilting cotton for a tote like this. It presses clean. It cuts clean. It sews smooth. Add a little interfacing, and it holds its shape well.
The project: a sturdy everyday tote bag
We are making a tote about 14 inches wide by 15 inches tall. The handles add about 10 inches of drop. That fits over your shoulder.
This size carries real life. It holds groceries and library books. It is big enough to help, and small enough to finish in an afternoon.
Why does this fabric suit it? The bright blue carries the whole bag. You do not need piecing to make it pretty. One clean color on the outside looks fresh.
You have options here. Make it plain like mine. Or add an outside pocket from your scraps. My preference is one pocket. It keeps my phone where I can find it. Completely up to you, though. And if I can do this, y'all can do it.
Materials list
- 1 yard of Bright Blue Forget Me Not Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard for the outside and handles
- 1/2 yard of a lining cotton, cut to match
- 1 yard of medium fusible interfacing for body
- All-purpose quilting thread in a matching color
- A size 90/14 needle for the thicker handle seams
- A rotary cutter, ruler, and mat
- Pins or clips, plus a good press cloth
Those are honest numbers. One yard gives you two panels and four handle strips, with a little left over. Save it for a zip pouch later.
Brief steps
Step one, press your fabric well. Square up the edge first. Take your time. A crooked first cut makes every panel crooked.
Step two, cut two outside panels, each 15 inches wide by 16 inches tall. Cut two lining panels the same size. Then cut four handle strips, each 4 inches wide by 24 inches long.
Step three, fuse interfacing to the wrong side of both outside panels. Follow the package heat and time. Let each panel cool flat before you move it.
Step four, make the handles. Fold each strip in half lengthwise and press. Fold the raw edges in to the center and press again. Topstitch both long edges. I aim for about 8 to 10 stitches per inch.
Step five, sew the outside panels together at the sides and bottom. Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Leave the top open. Do the same for the lining, but leave a 4-inch gap in the bottom for turning.
Step six, box the bottom corners for a flat base. Mark 2 inches from each corner, sew across, and trim. That gives you about a 4-inch deep base. Pin handles to the outside top, 3 inches in from each side seam. Place the lining inside, right sides together, sew around the top, turn, press, and topstitch. Just like that, you have a tote.
Practical tips from my table
Here is a warning at the right moment. Slow down where the handles meet the top seam. That spot is thick. Slow down, or the needle can snap.
Here is a mistake I have made. I once twisted one handle before I sewed it down. Oh my goodness, I did not see it until the bag was done. The fix was simple. I took out that seam, untwisted it, and sewed it again. Check both handles flat before you sew.
And here is the permission beat. This tote does not have to be perfect. You are your own worst critic. A topstitch line that wobbles a little will not stop this bag from working hard. Take your time. It is not a race.
Press the top edge really well at the end. A crisp edge makes the whole bag look finished. We're not reinventing the wheel here. Super duper cute, and super duper useful too.
Alrighty. Load it up and take it for a spin.
Thank y'all for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Bright Blue Forget Me Not Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
