Scrap Tote

While I was going through my fabrics this weekend, looking for a project I could do, I realized that I still have a ton of scraps left even after the other various scrap projects I have done (here, here, and here).  I had enough scraps still to make an updated tote.  I block printed the front of the bag (for instructions, check out the Baby blanket post), and used my handmade binding (for instructions, go here).  This is a great all-purpose tote, good for taking home some groceries, or carrying books back to the library.

What you will need

• 1/2 yard natural colored canvas
• 1/2 yard ecru colored linen
• 1/2 yard lining material of your choice (for this I used four different fabrics, and cut a panel out of each one)
• 2 yards 1″ thick strap material
• 39″ binding
• Matching thread

Wash, dry and iron the fabric.  Cut the following panels out of canvas and lining: two 15″x12.5″, two 15″x 4.5″, one 12″x4.5″.  Cut the following panels out of linen: two 13″x12.5″, two 13″x4.5″, one 12.5″x4.5″.  Fray one 12.5″ edge of the two 13″x12.5″ linen panels to 1/4″.  Do the same along one 4.5″ edge of the two 13″x4.5″ linen panels.

Align the fabric by placing each piece of canvas right side up, then placing the linen, right side up, with the frayed edges at the top.  The 15″x12.5″ pieces of canvas with have the 13″x12.5″ pieces of linen on them, with the bottom 12.5″ sides aligned.  The 15″x4.5″ canvas panels will have the 13″x4.5″ linen panels on top of them, with the 4.5″ bottoms aligned.  The canvas and linen 12.5″x4.5″ pieces will be aligned as normal.

Sew the canvas and linen panels together along the inside edge of the fray.

Pin the panels together, inside out to form a bag shape.

Sew along these edges at 1/4″.  Turn right side out.

Pin the corresponding liner panels to each other, inside out to form a bag shape.  Sew along these edges at 1/4″.

Place the liner inside the bag, and align along all the sides.  Sew binding tape around the top of the bag. 

Cut the two yards of strap in half.  Sew the edges with a zigzag stitch to prevent it from unraveling.  Pin each end of each strap to the inside of the bag, 1.5″ away from the edge seams.  Allow 3″ of each end of each strap to hang inside the bag.  Sew the straps on, along the same lines where the binding is sewn, and where the frayed fabric is sewn.

About these ads