Hey everyone. Today you will learn to make a cozy everyday tote bag with soft Latte wool appliqué on the front.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This is the LN02 -Latte Merino Wool Fabric, from WonderFil USA.
It is part of Sue Spargo's mill-dyed colors. The collection includes 60 colors in all. This one is Latte.
Latte is a warm, gentle neutral.
The fabric is 100% Superior Grade Virgin Australian Merino Wool. It is proficiently woven. It is richly dyed. And it is raised to a perfect hand.
It feels soft and luxuriously felted. It is designed for ease of stitch penetration. So your needle passes through without a fight.
The color boasts an even and saturated dye. It also possesses unparalleled colorfastness.
Now the real numbers. This size is a Fat 1/8. It measures 18 inches by 14 inches. It is cut from a true 36-inch yard.
The listed usages include wool appliqué, rug hooking, quilts, apparel, crafts, and more. We are using it for wool appliqué.
A matching Ellana 28wt 50/50 wool/acrylic appliqué thread is available separately. Use it, or use what you have. Completely up to you.
The project: a Latte appliqué tote bag
We will make a tote that finishes at about 14 inches wide by 15 inches tall. The boxed bottom is about 4 inches deep. That holds books or a small quilt project nicely.
One Fat 1/8 will not cover a whole tote. That is just fine, folks. A sturdy base fabric does the heavy work. The Latte wool becomes the pretty front.
Cut a front pocket and simple shapes from the wool. Think leaves, circles, or a big heart. Stitch them on before you build the bag.
Why does it suit a tote? Wool appliqué does not fray like cotton. Edges stay clean. The felted hand adds warmth and texture.
And y'all, your shapes do not have to be perfect. Real leaves never match. You are your own worst critic. Take your time. This is not a race.
Materials list
- 1 piece of LN02 -Latte Merino Wool Fabric — Fat 1/8, 18 inches by 14 inches
- 5/8 yard of sturdy cotton canvas or quilting cotton for the tote outer
- 5/8 yard of cotton fabric for the lining
- 1/2 yard of fusible fleece or medium interfacing
- Optional matching Ellana 28wt 50/50 wool/acrylic appliqué thread, available separately
- All-purpose sewing thread for construction
- Freezer paper, a fine marker, and sharp small scissors
- Hand-sewing needles, pins, a ruler, and a rotary cutter
Brief steps
1. Cut the tote pieces. Cut two outer pieces at 16 inches by 16 inches. Cut two lining pieces the same size. Cut two handles at 4 inches by 24 inches.
2. Cut the wool pocket. Cut one rectangle at 9 inches by 7 inches. That leaves room for shapes, too. Save every scrap.
3. Trace and cut shapes. Trace leaves about 2 1/2 inches long onto freezer paper. Trace circles about 1 inch across. Press paper lightly to the wool. Cut slowly, or points get ragged.
4. Stitch the front. Center the wool pocket on one outer piece. Pin the leaves and circles above it. Blanket stitch each shape. Aim for stitches about 1/4 inch apart and about 1/4 inch deep. Keep the thread snug, not tight.
5. Finish the pocket. Fold the top edge down 1/2 inch. Stitch it down. Stitch the pocket sides and bottom with a 1/4-inch seam.
6. Add interfacing and handles. Fuse interfacing to the outer pieces. Fold each handle in half lengthwise. Stitch, turn, and press. Pin handles 3 1/2 inches from each side seam.
7. Build the bag. Sew the outer pieces together with a 1/2-inch seam. Box each bottom corner at 4 inches across. Sew the lining the same way. Leave a 5-inch opening in the lining bottom.
8. Put it together. Place the outer bag inside the lining, right sides together. Sew around the top with a 1/2-inch seam. Turn right side out through the opening. Stitch the opening closed. Topstitch around the top, about 1/4 inch down. Just like that, you have a tote.
Practical tips from me
Test your blanket stitch on a scrap first. Find your rhythm.
Press gently, from the back. You want the wool soft, not flattened.
Go slow over the thick spots. Slow down at the handles or the needle can snap.
Want a simpler bag? Skip the pocket and use just three leaves. Completely up to you.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Alrighty. Load that tote up. Oh my goodness, that Latte color is really really pretty.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the LN02 -Latte Merino Wool Fabric at Linda's Electric Quilters.
