Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to sew a pretty, sturdy tote bag for market finds, in garden style.
Here we go.
The fabric is the Aviva Ceremony Pearl Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard, from Windham Fabrics.
Let us break that name down slow.
First, it is cotton. Quilting cotton. The width of fabric is 44"/45".
Second, it is from the Aviva collection, made by Windham Fabrics by Whistler Studios.
Third, look at the print name. Ceremony. Pearl.
Aviva blooms with life and elegance. This romantic floral collection has airy watercolor textures. Lush bouquets. Delicate sprigs. And graceful foliage.
The palette is soft pinks and lilacs. Sunshine yellows. And rich sangria.
So picture a blooming garden at golden hour. Timeless. Joyful. Full of grace.
Why a tote bag suits this fabric
A tote bag is a simple open bag. Two handles. One roomy space for everything. Ours will finish at about 14 inches wide, 15 inches tall, with a 4-inch boxed bottom.
Here is why this fabric suits it so well. A tote gives the print room.
Your front panel is one big, flat piece. The bouquets stay whole instead of getting chopped into little squares. The watercolor texture reads soft across the whole bag.
The Pearl colorway keeps the look light and fresh. The pinks and lilacs feel gentle. The sangria notes give it just enough depth.
You have options, too. Use Ceremony Pearl for both sides for a full garden look. Or put it on the front only, with a soft solid on the back. I like the full garden. Completely up to you.
Materials list
- 3/4 yard of this Aviva Ceremony Pearl cotton — that covers two exterior panels cut 15 by 16 inches, plus two strap strips cut 4 by 24 inches
- 1/2 yard of a coordinating cotton for the lining, cut into two panels 15 by 16 inches
- 3/4 yard of fusible fleece or medium fusible interfacing, cut to match your exterior panels
- Thread to blend with the pinks, and a fresh 90/14 needle for the thicker strap and bottom seams, set to about 2.5 mm stitch length
- Rotary cutter, ruler, pins or clips, chalk, and a hot iron
Brief steps
Step 1: Cut and fuse. Press your fabric well. Cut the two exterior panels 15 by 16 inches, watching where your favorite bouquets land. Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of each panel, following the product directions. A smooth fuse means a smooth bag.
Step 2: Make the straps. Fold each 4 by 24 inch strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. Open it, fold both raw edges to the center crease, then fold in half again. Topstitch both long edges, about 1/8 inch from the edge. Each strap ends up about 1 inch wide.
Step 3: Sew the body. Pin one strap to the top of each exterior panel, about 4 inches in from each side, raw edges even. Baste in place. Then sew the two panels right sides together along the sides and bottom with a 1/2-inch seam. Leave the top open.
Step 4: Box the corners. Flatten each bottom corner so the side seam meets the bottom seam. Measure 2 inches in from the point and draw a line across, about 4 inches long. Sew on the line, backstitch at both ends, and trim the point 1/4 inch past the seam.
Step 5: Add the lining and finish. Sew the lining panels the same way, but leave a 4-inch gap in the bottom seam. Slip the lining over the bag, right sides together, and sew around the top with a 1/2-inch seam. Turn everything right side out through that gap. Tuck the lining in, press the top flat, and topstitch around, about 1/4 inch from the edge. Sew the gap closed. Just like that, you have a tote.
Practical tips from my table
Test your strap stitching on a folded scrap first. Four layers get thick fast. Check your tension before you commit.
Here is my honest mistake to save you one. I once twisted a strap before basting it down. The bag still worked, but that twist bugged me daily. Now I lay both straps flat and check twice. Lesson learned.
Clip your corners and grade bulky seams. Your boxed bottom will sit flatter.
And please hear me on this one. It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic. Nobody at the market will measure your topstitching. They will see a lovely handmade tote, made by you.
Take your time. It is not a race.
Alrighty. Thank you so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Aviva Ceremony Pearl Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
