Bag Lady

When i was trying to think of simple sewing projects that i could post about, i immediately thought about totes. Making a tote bag is one of the simplest things to sew because it's all straight lines! The best thing about this project is that depending on your skill level, you can add on more advanced things like: a zipper closure, applique's, patchwork, screen printing, pockets, different handles, the possibilities are endless. For this example i will show you the basic steps, and maybe some of the more "decorative" add-ons. This tote bag is lined, which makes it look impressive, but in reality is really easy.

For the first step, you need to determine what size you want your tote to be. Think about the use for the bag and that might help. If you want to use it for a school bag, you probably want it to be large enough to hold a binder or a notebook and a school book, so measure your book or binder, add a couple inches, and that will be the size of your bag. If you want it for a purse, you might want it to be smaller. Other things you might consider making a bag for: church/scripture bag, beach bag (make a BIG tote!), grocery tote, etc.

The second step, you can make a paper pattern using the measurements you determined, or you can just trace the measurements right onto your fabric. You are going to cut 2 of the outside fabric, and 2 of the lining. You are also going to need handles, either make some out of fabric, or buy some handle webbing from the fabric/craft store.

I decided to add a pocket to mine because i had to seam the center of one of the outside panels. I just loved this cute vintage life preserver fabric so much! If you want pockets, inside or out, now would be the time to add them. 

So now you have your 4 rectangles. I serged the edges of all of mine. Lay them "right sides together", and pin, making sure you are leaving the top open, and the pocket facing up.

    

I decided on mine i wanted a little more visual interest, so i stitched and clipped the corners. If you did this the opposite direction and stitched down the corners (fold the bag so the bottom seam and the side seam are open and right sides together) it would make a bottom for the tote. I like doing that, but honestly i forgot on this one, so it's just a flat tote. 

I had some tan webbing that i thought would look nice with the blue. Cut the handles to the size you want.

Now you are going to put the whole thing together with one seam. Like magic. You can see what i did in this picture. Have the outside bag right side out, the lining inside-out, and put the outside inside of the inside-out lining. (that was a lot of words that sounded nonsensical!) Now take your handles and put one between the front two layers, and one between the back two layers, making sure to leave a little poking up. This will help make your handles sturdier. I like to pin one handle (making sure it's not twisted inside), then match up the back one with the front one's placement and pin it. You want your handles to match up. If you want to be a perfectionist, you can measure and mark in from the sides and the center front and back equal distances, then pin them to where you marked. 

When you sew, be careful as you go around. I always sew with one hand on top of the fabric, and one underneath. This way you can ensure that you are not getting puckers in your fabric. You need to leave a small hole, so don't sew quite all the way around. Now, my fabric is just a med weight cotton, but if you have a stiff fabric you are going to want to leave a bigger hole, or you are going to have a really hard time turning your bag. Once you have sewn all but your little hole, it's time for my favorite part! Pull everything out through that hole. Mine was a little tough with the heavy 2 layer pocket, but only for a second. Now your bag is all turned out.

This is the time i like to take and PRESS (iron) everything. I am the ironing queen. I LOVE it, and if you press as you go in any sewing project you will be happier with your progress. Any sewing project can be improved by taking the time to press your seams, darts, everything! You might hate ironing, but i promise you, it makes a world of difference. As you press the top, make sure you are folding under at the hole and pressing the seam allowance under. Now, you could just hand stitch that hole closed and you would be done, but i like to top stitch the top because it not only closes the hole, but it reinforces the handles and it just makes everything look finished. I do love me some nice top stitching. 

And now your bag is done! I added a ruffle to the top of my pocket because it was too boring for me. It actually still is... i think I'm going to screen print a big white anchor on the front of the pocket, and maybe i will do a screen printing tutorial! It's super fun and easy.

OK! It's all done... now go fill it with crap. :)