Nov. 6, 2008 - A Homemade Christmas- Tote bag

This week I want to share a little tote bag that I made and some ideas for different ones. The girls and I went to a have tea at our friend Sharen's home last week and we were treated to some wonderful homemade crafty ideas.  Sharen is a very talented lady from our church.  She sews beautifully and has a very creative flair.  Her little girl had a homemade tote bag full of goodies that she could play with after tea.  Later, I joined her on the floor to play with her and her tote bag. ;)

Sharen got the free pattern here.  She had made some changes to her tote bag and so I did, too.
After looking at this pattern you will see that changes can easily be made to personalize it to suit your needs. Follow the pattern at the site above, I will add here some of the changes I made and photos to help explain.


For my pocket I cut 2 pieces of 8.5" x 11"
I also just used bias tape for the handle.


Take the two pieces for the pocket and with wrong sides together sew a strip of bias tape along the top to the pocket.



Take the pocket and lay it on top of one of the exterior fabric pieces.  If you want to divide the pocket, you can sew a seam now to create the divider.


Pin and then sew the handle on the other piece of exterior fabric.


Take the two exterior pieces and lay them right sides together and sew along sides and bottom.


You will need to mark a square measuring 1.5" in from both bottom corners.  Then cut those squares out.


Pinch the square together that you just cut out.  Pin and sew across to form a boxy bottom.


This is what it will look like when you have just done one corner.  Do the other corner.


This is what it will look like looking into the bag.


You will do the same thing to the lining pieces, leaving a 4" opening in the bottom.  You will use the opening to turn the whole tote bag right side out.


Follow the directions on sewing the lining to the exterior.   This is what it will look like as you are turning it right side out.  Close the hole in lining, tuck inside the bag, and press the top to get a nice edging.  You can top-stitch the top edge or put another piece of bias tape on the top.


The bias tape is kind of goofy near the handle, so you may just want to top-stitch it and leave off the bias tape on top.  I am working on another tote that is wider and will have pockets on both front and back.  I will be leaving off the bias tape on the top of that one.  I have used one pack of bias tape, 1 yard of lining and about 1/2 yard so far of the exterior fabric.  They go together quickly and once you have the basic concept down you could alter the pattern many different ways. 

About it being a good gift, let me just say that both of my girls are really wanting to know who this is going to and if not them are they going to get one.   This first one I think will just hold my sewing supplies and hang on the little knob.

To see more Homemade Christmas ideas go to SimplyVintagegirl.com.  She is also hosting an apron giveaway on her blog here.

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Comments

Nov. 6, 2008 - Hi

Posted by monkey

Hi that is a really cute tote bag

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Nov. 7, 2008 - The Bag

Posted by watalulu

What a cute little bag. I am working on my last tote as well, but they are not cute like that one is. By the way......have you worked on your QUILT lately? Hmmm?

I haven't either.

But, as soon as these totes are finished I will work on our D.S.'s quilt. Shhh........

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Nov. 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by BookLover

Those tote bags are cute and the look really handy! I might try to make that some day when I have nothing else to do. :-)
I also liked the drawstring bags that you had last time. I'm going to make one of those for my marbles.
Amy

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Nov. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by magg93

That is so nifty. I did not know that Sharen was so crafty.

Have a Great Day!
Love
Your Niece
http://www.painterofwords.com/

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