Tote bags are one of my favorite go-to projects for quick gifts, and are a great opportunity to give a home to those orphan quilt blocks just hanging around. I'm going to walk you through the steps so it can be your go-to also!
The bag I am making in this post uses a single block from the Pickle Party quilt pattern by Sydney Nordgren of Stuff Sydney Sews. I added a narrow border to the block, it measures 16.75"x21", so my bag dimensions will be based on this; however, you can use any size block! I'll explain how to adjust the dimensions for your needs.
All seam allowances are 1/4" unless otherwise noted. The quilted panels just need to be quilted to batting- a backing fabric is not necessary.
Materials
- 1 quilted panel for the front (Pickle Party block)
- 1 quilted panel for the back (coral houndstooth print)
- 2 lining pieces
- 2 pocket pieces (optional)
- 60" of 1.5" webbing (for handles)
- 3.75"x60" fabric piece (to cover webbing- You will need to sew a couple strips together to get 60".)
- tube turner (optional)
Dimensions
The dimensions of your front panel, back panel, and lining pieces should all be the same size. The size really depends on how large you want your bag to be. If you want your bag to have boxed corners, like the one in this post, then I recommend adding an extra 1.25" to the bottom of all panels and linings. *Make sure you do this before you quilt the front and back! This will make sure your front panel block is more centered, rather than being cut off at the bottom once you box the corners.
The dimensions of the pocket depend on your personal preference and how large your bag is. My pieces are 7.5"x9", but you can eyeball it and choose whatever size you want.
Let's get started!
1. Handles
Take your 3.75"x60" strip of fabric and fold it wrong sides together along the length and sew.
Use the tip of your iron to press the seam open. Tip: Tilt your iron as you do this to avoid pressing the folded sides of the fabric.
Use a tube turner or safety pin to turn the tube right side out. Press the tube flat with the seam going down the center.
Take your webbing and slide it into the tube. Attaching a safety pin to the inserted end of the webbing will make it easier for you to get it all the way in.
Topstitch on both long sides of the handle strip. Cut into two 30" long pieces and set aside.
2. Pocket
If you don't want your bag to have a pocket, skip to step 3.
Pin or clip your pocket pieces right sides together, RST, and sew all the way around, leaving a hole for turning.
Clip the corners and turn your pocket right side out. Poke the corners so they are nice and pointy, and then topstitch along all four sides, closing that hole.
Fold one of your lining pieces in half lengthwise, finger-pressing a crease. Fold the pocket piece in half and finger-press. Line up the creases of the pocket on the right side of the lining and pin the pocket in place. Mine is about 4" down from the top of the lining, but again, you can adjust this to your preference.
Topstitch the pocket to the lining, being sure only to sew on the sides and bottom, leaving the top open to form the pocket. Backstitch at the beginning and end. I also recommend adding some extra stitches at the start and end to reinforce those spots. I like to do mine in a little triangle, as shown below.
3. Bag Body
Pin or clip the outer panels and your lining pieces RST on the sides and bottom. Do NOT clip the top ends of the pieces.
Sew a 3/8" seam on all three sides of the outer panels and the lining pieces, leaving about a 4" gap on the bottom of the lining. This hole will be used to turn the bag right side out at the end. (Yes, in the photo below, I forgot to leave the turning hole in the lining and I had to unpick some stitches. 🤦♀️)
To get the boxed corners, you're going to now mark a 1.75" square in both bottom corners of the lining and the outer body. Cut out the corners. (You may adjust the size of this cut out corner based on the size of your bag.)
Pinch the corners so that the seams match up and nest. This will create a straight edge. Sew across that edge, backstitching at the beginning and end. Repeat this for all the corners.
Turn the lining right side out, but leave the outer body as is. Put the lining into the the outer body, so that the lining and outer bag are RST. Have your pocket facing the side on which you want it to be.
At the top opening of the bag, measure in 3.5" from each side and make a mark with a pen. (Again, depending on your bag size/preference, you may need to adjust this.)
Line up the side seams of the outer bag and the lining, nest the seams, and clip in place. Take one of your straps and put it in between the right side of the front panel and the right side of the front lining. Line the outer edge of one end of the strap on the inner side of that pen mark. The end of the strap should be flush with the raw edges of the top of the bag. Clip it in place. Repeat for the other end of that strap. Then repeat the whole process for the other strap in between the back panel & back lining. Be sure to double check that your straps are not twisted inside the bag. Also, the side of the straps with the seam should be facing the lining.
Clip the lining to the outer bag around the rest of the bag opening.
Sew all the way around the whole circle of the bag opening, backstitching at the beginning and end. I like to go over the strap areas a couple times for good measure.
Pull the bag through the hole in the bottom of the lining so that the whole thing is right sides out. Machine or hand stitch the opening closed.
Push the bag lining into the bag. You're so close! Now, take it to your ironing board and slide the bag over the narrow end of your board. Press the top edges of the bag.
Topstitch around the mouth of the bag.
It's ready to be gifted! Or, you know, if by this point you love it so much, fill it with books or whatever and it's yours! Now that you know how to do this, you can always make another one to be gifted! 😊
Share your make and tag me on Instagram: @a_stitch_is_a_stitch
