Tote Tute

This is the Tote Bag we are beginning this Thursday in Sew Smart. I made this one 13" x 15", but I think I'll have the girls make theirs 12" x 13". It's supposed to be a Bible Bag - and this one is just a tad roomy ;)

** note: I am making this tutorial very detailed & simplistic for those just beginning to sew, and also for my Haiti girls to follow along.

OK, Let's begin.

Bible Tote

Materials: 1/2 yd each of 2 different fabrics- 1 for outside of bag & 1 for lining

co-ordinating thread

basic sewing supplies

Cutting the fabric:

Cut 2 rectangles 13" x 15" (or whatever size you prefer) from bag fabric and 2 from lining fabric.

Cut 1 strip 4" x 44"or 45" (I just used the width of fabric) for straps.

**Optional- pockets- I cut 1 rectangle 6" x 7" and 1 rectangle 9" x 7". Pockets can be as small or large as you want!

Making the pockets (or not- depending on your mood ;) :

1. Fold under 1/4" from the top of pocket and press.

2. Stitch folded part down.

(sorry, photo coming for steps 3-5 - camera malfunction!)

3. Fold under 1" more on top of pocket and press.

This will become your hemmed top edge.

4. Stitch 1/2" away from pocket edges on remaining 3 sides.

Trim corners diagonally.

5. Turn top hemmed edge to outside, poking corners to make them pointy :)

On remaining 3 sides, turn under along stitching and press.

Your pocket is now formed and ready to attach to your bag lining!

6. Place pocket(s) on 1 piece of bag lining and pin in place (about 3-4" up from bottom of lining). Stitch in place.

(I made an additional line of stitching an inch or so from 1 edge to make a little pencil pocket)

TaDa!! Pocket is complete!!

Making the straps:

1. Fold strap fabric in half lengthwise, right side facing out and iron.

2. Open back up and using fold line as a guide, fold each edge in to the middle (fold line). Press.

It will look like this ^

3. Fold in half again and press.

4. Cut fabric strip in half to make to straps for your bag.

5. Stitch close to edge on folded edge of strap. Repeat stitching on opposite side.

Making the bag:

1. Place bag front & back right sides together, matching raw edges, & pin.

Repeat for bag lining.

2. Stitch on 3 sides leaving one short side open for top of bag.

Repeat for lining.

3. Flatten out bottom of bag and push the side of bag in, until the bottom seam touches the side seam (like the bottom of a paper grocery sack). This will make a pointy corner on each end of the bag.

4. Measure 1 1/2" from corner and mark with a pin.

5. Draw a line across the corner as marked. Pin bottom and side together so fabric doesn't shift while stitching. Stitch along marking.

Repeat procedure for making a flat bottom for the lining.

Turn lining right side out.

6. Measure about 2" from one side of lining front & pin strap in place, matching raw edges & taking care not to catch lining back when pinning. Measure 2" from other side of lining and pin other edge of strap in place. Be careful not to twist strap. Repeat for other strap on the lining back.

7. Stitch across each strap close to edge, using a zig-zag stitch for extra strength.

8. Place lining inside bag so that right sides are together. Match edges and seams and pin together. (Use caution that straps are smoothed flat and down in between the layers.)

Stitch bag & lining together using a 1/2" seam, leaving a 4" opening for turning on one side.

9. Pull bag through opening. Push lining down inside bag. Iron around top of bag, pressing lining to inside.

10. Topstitch around top of bag 1/4" from top edge of bag.

Voila~

un pouche pour Bibla- fini !!

(one Bible bag- finished!!)

(and Charlene & Nadege- I know I mixed my French & Kreyol- you may correct my grammar ;)