#sewing: easy tote bag tutorial

my very first sewing project with my sewing machine was a tote bag. i had it all cut out and ready to go back in late summer, however i couldn't figure out how to get the machine working... so after a brief hiatus (had to cool off from the little storm i had with the machine) i attempted to finish it again - this time with a great teacher and some guidance.

it's a lovely little tote that now holds some of my extra fabrics for sewing projects on-the-go:

the original pattern & tutorial for reference can be found here at: Needle and Spatula blog

Materials Needed:
* thread (in corresponding colours to your fabric)
* scissors
* pins
*sewing machine

For the body of the bag:
* 1/2 yard of fabric (or slightly less, depending on the size of bag desired and whether the print has a directional orientation that you wish to maintain).

For the straps of the bag:
* Two 3"x24" strips of fabric and two 3/4"x24" strips of light weight fusible interfacing (easy), or
* 1 and 1/2 yards of 3/4"-1" double fold bias tape (easier), or
* 1 and 1/2 yards of cotton webbing (easiest).

I chose to go with option 1 for the straps, but at the time had no clue what "light weight fusible interfacing" was so I chose not to use it and my bag still holds up just fine. :)

#step 1: for a bag with a directional print, to make a bag with finished dimensions of 11.5" wide and 13" tall, cut the main fabric (body of bag) into a large rectangle measuring 24" wide and 16" tall (or 12" wide when folded in half).
* If you wish to make a different size bag, just add 3/4" to the width at each side for the side seam (or a total of 1.5" for the entire width of the fabric), and 3" to the height for the bottom seam and the top edge. Adjust accordingly for the size of bag you wish to make.

#step 2: the straps - iron each long handle strip in half lengthwise (wrong sides facing) to create a crease down the length of the strip.
*if you decide to use the interfacing (which i didn't for this bag): open the strip and put interfacing on one side of the crease, then iron to fuse it to the fabric. This will create a more sturdy handle in the long run.

#step 3: the straps - open up the strap and fold again on both sides towards the crease you just created. it will look like this:

Credit to the original blog instructions to create this bag: Needle and Spatula

#step 4: straps - as shown above, keep the straps in this double-fold position and top stitch along both edges of the strips (or use bias tape, if you're using it) about 1/8" from the edge.

#step 5: body of the bag - open your folded piece of fabric and fold down the top edge by 3/4" to 1" and iron in place. then fold down once again and iron into place. if you wish, you can also pin down the top edge to hold it in place while you complete next steps.   

#step 6: to determine the placement of the handles/straps, fold the fabric back in half along the original fold (where the side o the bag will be) and then fold it in half again - but do not fold it all the way - the folded edge should be 3/4" in from the raw edge, as this excess will ultimately become part of the seam allowance, so if you don't account for this - your handles will be off centre. 

along the upper edge of the fabric that you just folded and ironed in place, place a pin at the approximate midpoint of the top layer and then again in the layers below - the pins should be lined up on top of each other. you should have 4 pins in place.

#step 7: then unfold the fabric and you should have four pins across the top edge. (if you prefer to measure the placement, on the 24" wide piece of fabric my pins were placed at 3.5", 9", 15" and 20.5".) then, take ends of the straps and tuck them under the top folded edge at the spots where you have marked with pins. pin the straps in place.

#step 8: top stitch 1/8" from the edge along the bottom folded edge. this will secure the handles in place, and then iron the handles to face up. (not a necessary step if you pin them in place if you don't have an iron handy)

#step 9: top stitch 1/8" from the top edge to secure the handles in place

#step 10: Fold your bag in half with wrong sides together (aka turn the bag inside out)  (along the side) and line up the edges at the side and bottom. Sew across the bottom with a 3/16" seam (or you can eyeball it like me...) Next sew the sides of the bag together before turning it back "inside right"

and your bag is done!! 

<3 awaLL