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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Me & You Tote Tutorial



I whipped this tote up during naptime! The process is very simple and it creates an adorable go-to bag.


I used canvas fabric for the outside of the bag and cotton for the lining. To add a little pizazz, I freezer paper stenciled a design on the front with fabric paint.


Cut your outer and lining fabrics into rectangles the size of your choosing, mine was 14 inches wide and 16 inches long. You'll also want to cut 2 strips of fabric that you'll use to make your straps, 9 inches long and 4 inches wide.

If you're using a thicker fabric like the canvas that I used, you'll want to iron your strap pieces in half and and then iron each long edge in halfway in toward the half point. I know it's a lot of halves, but trust me, it works and turns out perfect.


Once your straps are ironed you'll want to sew along the long the long open edge of each strap.


Now that your straps are ready, you can start pinning your main pieces together! Pin your lining and outer fabric right sides together and on one of the short sides you'll sandwich your strap.



Be sure to evenly space your handles, and once everything is in place sew along the short side with your straps.

With you straps in place you'll now pin your lining pieces right sides together and your outers with right sides together as well. It should look like a very long rectangle with the handles inside.

(Sorry didn't get pictures of this part!)
Sew your outer pieces together, and sew your lining pieces all but a 3 inch space to turn your tote bag right side out.

The space that you left to turn you bag will need to be stitched closed, and to insure your lining stays in place a little topstitching around the top of your bag will keep things neat.


There you have it! A spacious, useful tote bag that anyone would love to carry.



~Allison

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