Finished project - New Tote Bag!

Hey everyone....


Can you believe that this weekend is Christmas already!!  I can't....it's coming too fast!  Where's the pause button?


Well here is a semi-tutorial for a simple tote bag.  Everyone one can make bags, well at least I hope you can. So I won't bore you with too many details, I'll just make you go insane with all the pictures!! hahaha!!  If you haven't noticed already, I like to post lots of pics. I'm not that much of a writer so I post pics, duh!


Here is a tote that I've been working on for a while, only because I have had so much stuff to finish.  This is a birthday present for my besties daughter. Which I call my fake niece....I'm her aunt but not by blood! Her birthday was on Nov. 29, so yeah I'm pretty behind on it! I guess it's gonna be a Christmas gift now. lol!  She turned 13 years old, oh my....where have the years gone?  Now I do feel old. 

Many people sew totes differently, I usually sew mine 2 different ways. I always get compliments. Which is a good thing!

Here are the 2 ways I sew totes:

1) I sew 1 outside shell with gussets, 1 inside shell with gussets. then fit the shells together and sew the top, pockets and handles. It can be reversible.

2) I sew 1 outside and 1 inside together to make a wall, then sew both walls together, make the gussets and expose the guts (seams) as like to call them. If the inside is a solid color the exposed seams give it a pop of color when you open the bag. I'll have to post a pic so you can see what I'm talking about.  

Totes can come in all shapes and sizes, shore and wide, tall and skinny.  So it's up to you to decide those dimensions. 

On to the bag!!

•  I cut out 4 pieces for the bag (2 for in/2 for out) and 4 pieces for the pockets (2 for in/2 for out).  I cut out 2 strips for the handles. I cut out 2 pieces of interfacing for the bag, 2 for the pockets and 2 strips for the handles.

I ♥'d this fabric!! Her mom helped me pick it out.

I made my pockets. 2 pocket pieces and interfacing.

I found my center and sewed my pocket onto one of the outside  pieces.

Sew up the outside pieces, right sides facing each other.

• After sewing a 1/4 inch seam, I open and press the seams. I do the sides and the bottoms.  Then I open the corners to make my marks for the gussets.

ironed

Measure 2 inches down from the tip.

Can you see my chalk line?

I have no idea why this pic is upside down!!
Well I just cut the triangle off. I usually leave about a  1/4 inch.

Here is the outside shell turned right side out.

• The following pictures just show me doing the exact same thing as above just adding the interfacing to the inside shell.

Measure, find my center and sew.

Put the two pieces together, right sides facing each other.
Then sandwich with the 2 large interfacing pieces, then sew.

I pressed seams, added the gussets and cut.

This shell doesn't have to be flipped.

• Now that the shells are done, insert the inside shell and fit it together. Now I'm ready to fold and press the top down and get it ready for the handles.

Fit the shells together.

Fold down about 1 inch, then press.  Then another fold and press.

• Take the strips for the handles and fold and press like you would while making a binding, press interfacing down the middle.

Fold and press

Folded and pressed, ready to sew the sides.

Sew down one side.

Flip over and sew down the other side.

• Now that that's done I'm ready to sew on the handles. Flip tote inside out and get a couple of pins to secure the handles in place.

I align the handle with the side of the pocket, push the edge of the handle up the folded top.
Secure with a pin and sew my 1st line. (the bottom of the fold)

Fold over the handle and sew the second line. (the top part of the fold)

Done!! Now turn right side out and admire!!
(this is not the best pic, but  you can see  the inside!!
It can be used either way. I ♥ reversible!)

I really like the way this tote came out....the colors are awesome!! Perfect for a 13 year old.