Tote bag tutorial

Hi, I thought Id have a go at writing a tutorial. it is a pretty tricky thing to do well (unlike making this bag which is quite straightforward) so please let me know if you follow it. I'd welcome feedback and I'd really love to see your finished bag!

You will need;

• outer fabric (something fairly heavyweight, I used some curtain fabric that I got out of the remnants bin in John Lewis).
• inner fabric (a coordinating cotton).
• medium weight iron on interfacing (I really like 'iron on canvas' again from John Lewis).

From this you will need to cut;
1x 37x85 cm of all three fabrics for the main body of the bag.
2x 58x8cm of the outer fabric for the handles.
1x 18x16cm of the outer and the same of inner fabric for the inside pocket.

1. (A) Make the pocket right sides of fabric facing each other, sew 1cm from the edge all the way round, leaving the needle down to pivot on at the corners. 

          Leave a 4-5cm gap along the bottom edge for turning.

Turn right sides out

clip corners

 
           








Press pocket flat.

(B) Sew pocket to lining-
Find centre of pocket and centre of bag, line these up about 12cm below one short edge of the lining fabric, right side to right side of lining fabric.
Sew as close as possible to the edge down one side, across the bottom and up the other side, this will close the gap you left for turning.
I like to make a line of stitching about a third of the way along to create two internal pockets.
Sewing a small triangle at the top corner where you begin and end stitching helps to keep the corners strong.

The pocket is sewn to the lining fabric, note the triangles on the top corners

2. Iron interfacing to wrong side of outer fabric.

3. Turn outer fabric right sides together, sew sides with 1.5cm seam allowance.

4.Repeat (3.) for lining fabric, but leave 6-8cm gap in one side for turning.

5.On outer, then lining fabric, mark 4cm from bottom of bag. 

Fold corners into triangles and stitch across. This optional step creates a nice flat bottom to your bag.

6.Make handles; fold handle fabric longways, right sides together, sew down long side 1cm from edge. 

Use a 'pushy thing' (I safety pin the top corner to skewer and use that) to turn the handle through its length so it is right side out. 

Press.

My device for turning the handles.

Pulling the handles through to the right side

Pressing the handles with the seam to one side

 

7. Pin bag together; 

With lining and outer bag right sides facing each other, pin side seams at the top of the bag. 

Work around the top of the bag, pinning the lining to the outer. 

During this process feed the handles between the two fabric layers, taking care that they do not twist. 

Pin the ends of the handles level with the top of the bag.

 I fold the bag in half and then in half again to mark the quarter, this is where I position each handle.

This is the sandwich of lining, handle, outer fabric. Right sides are together

8. Sew bag together; Sew around the top of the bag, 1.5cm from the edge.

Stitch all of the way around the top.

9. Pull the bag the right way around through the opening in the lining.

 Close the hole in the lining by simply machining close to edge, as it is inside the bag it will not be seen.

Machine close to the edge to close the hole left for turning

10. Press the top of the bag to get the lining and the outer sitting flat, then top stitch to finish.

 I like to use one of my machines decorative stitches in a contrast thread but a plain straight stitch would finish the bag nicely and keep the handles secure.      

Press the top of the bag flat.

My 'topstitching' is a decorative herringbone.

YOU HAVE FINISHED YOUR BAG, WELL DONE!

Variations?

- you can alter the dimensions, this bag will work at all sorts of sizes and shapes.

- Try appliqué or embroidery as decoration on the bag.

- The pocket could go on the outside of the bag

- To close the bag you could add a tab and button, just include a tab like a short length of strap between the handles on one side. Add a button hole to this and a button on the opposite side once you have finished and your bag will fasten shut.

My finished bag. I added the machine appliqué before I made the bag.

Sewing for friends

One of my favourite things to do is sewing for friends.

When sewing a gift, the pressure is lifted somewhat. Usually it is something they are not expecting, so there is no nagging doubt 'is this what they had in mind?' or 'will they think it is worth the price' or 'is it good enough' which can come with commissions (although even with these I find the following usually applies)

The very best thing about it is spending the time thinking about that person. I find that I spend the hours it takes to plan and make something thinking very fondly of the friend, of their likes and interests, of times we have spent together, of their personality, sense of humor and so on. Although I usually regret that I do not get to see more of most of my friends, I find making something for them almost like spending time with them in a strange way. 

Often I will be making because I will be seeing them again soon, which is thrilling in itself. Sometimes I will be posting the gift, and everyone loves getting a surprise parcel through the letterbox. But always there is the sense of anticipation and the hope that they will be pleased with what I have made, with the time invested and thought process, hopefully it is something that captures their taste and that they will like it. At the very least I hope they will somehow sense the positive thoughts and memories that go into making each present special and unique, after all that someone is certainly someone quite special to me.