Quick and Easy Tote Tute

I've been thinking a lot about Christmas Gift ideas and how to use up my stash of fun fabric that I bought because I LOVED the print but didn't have a project in mind: enter the Easy Tote Bag.

This quick bag solved both my problems because who doesn't need a fun reusable tote?

 

I used 1/2 yard of heavier cotton canvas fabric and only had to buy 3 1/2 yards of cotton webbing for the straps. I sewed the bag using my regular sewing machine and since it is unlined, used my serger to finish the inside raw edges. Don't worry if you don't have a serger, you can always zigzag the seam allowance to prevent fraying, or consider using a colorful bias tape!

 

Here's what I did:

 

First I cut the 1/2 yard of fabric in half so I had two pieces that were 22" by 18". The 18" side is the height (if your fabric has a print that is directional like mine, make sure you note this when placing it "right side up".

 

Next I cut each webbing piece in half and pinned them individually to the right side of the fabric pieces, making a loop at the top for the strap. I placed the webbing 5" from the side of the fabric.

 

 

At the top of the bag, I pinned only up to 1 1/2" from the edge, so later I could fold the top down

as a hem.

 

Then I sewed the webbing down, along both sides

Next I took my bag pieces and laid them on top of each other with the "right sides" facing. I pinned and sewed the two sides and bottom. 

 

Then I serged the raw seam allowance.

Next to make the gusset in the bottom, separate the front fron the back and pinch a triagle in the corners, so that the side and bottom seams align. Then pin the triangle so that from one edge fold to the other is 5" wide, and sew.

 

Trim the triangle and serge or bind the seam allowance. If you serge, make sure you thread the tails back in to keep from unraveling!

Next make the top hem by folding down 1/2" once, then...

.....Fold down again 1/2", pin and top stitch close to the folded edge.

 

Press the hem and you're finished!

 

 

Embroidery - meditative or frustrating?

I've been working on the Split Personality bag for the last week or so. I had to plan this thing out carefully because I have a tendency to rush through the preparation and get straight into the cutting on sewing projects, especially smaller things like bags. I was all set to dive into my fabric stash and start cutting out pattern pieces willy nilly. But I want this one to be special and last a while and be able to stand up to my constant fickleness with my bags/purses. So instead I took a deep breath, walked away from the box of fabric, and made a plan.

I planned one side to be gray and plain, with cream piping that is the only embellishment. And the other side has grayish blue and white striped ticking at the bottom with a bright green twill at the top. I have been dabbling with embroidery lately and I wanted something to spruce up the plain fabrics of the bag so I decided to use some of the many "Sublime Stitching" embroidery patterns and stitch a cool design on the "fun" side of the bag.

Now I love needle arts. I like the methodical way the thread goes in and out, and how you can make different stitches and patterns with just a needle and thread. I love how you can construct an entire garment with two blunt needles and one super long piece of yarn. I love how hand stitches have that slight irregularity to them. But I do not like when thread gets tangled, needles poke my cuticles, and yarn balls get twisted and knotted! It makes me want to throw the whole project on the floor and go for a bike ride. (Maybe I should try that). But instead I quietly curse in my head while trying to unknot the yarn or thread or put bandaids on my fingers. It can get to be a little too much though. I love the part of embroidery when I'm actually doing it and it's going along great and the image is appearing beautifully before my eyes. Then I make all these plans to embroider everything and just can't bring myself to start the projects because it's just a little too tedious. Do you ever feel that way?

Anyway, I love the way this bag turned out and can't wait to flip flop it when I get tired of one side or the other. And I'm really glad I un-did those knots and stuck with the embroidery!