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Sewing
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time:
Approximately 2 hours
Child
Tote Bag Finished Size: 12” W x 2 ½” D x 11
½” H (size can be modified)
What
You'll Need:
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Sewing machine |
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Straight pins |
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Thread to match fabric |
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Tissue Paper |
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1 yd fabric (more depending
on size) |
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Iron and ironing board |
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Scissors |
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Step 1: Making a Pattern
Once you determine
your bag size, use tissue paper to make a pattern. For our Child
Size tote bag (finished size - 12” W x 2 ½”
D x 11 ½” H) you'll need the following pattern pieces:
Font and
Back = 14” x 13”
Side Panels = 12” x 3”
Handles = 18”x 2”
| Step
2: Cutting
Fold
fabric in half so both salvage edges meet. Layout pattern
pieces on fabric and pin in place. Cut out each pattern
piece so you have two pieces of fabric for each pattern
piece.
NOTE:
These are all meant to be sewn with a 1/4" seam allowance |
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Step
3: Sewing side panels to front and back
| Pin
side panels (12" x 3"), right sides together,
to front and back pieces (see picture at right).
You
should have an approximate 2” overhang on the bottom
of your bag.
Once
pinned, stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance and repeat
to the other side panel. |
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Step
4: Creating the bottom
| At
this point you should have a square sewn together with an
open top and open bottom.
Pin
the bottom sides of the bag to the side panels - the 2"
overhang (see picture at right). This is a tricky step.
You want to pin edge of the side panel overhang to the edge
of the bottom front and back panels, you will have a bit
of overlap in pinning and this is OK. This creates the bottom
of your back. |
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Enlarged image
of sewn corner:
Once the corners
are sewn, you should have a bag with an open slit down the bottom:
Step
5: Sewing the bottom
With right
sides together, pin and stitch the bottom slit closed.
Step
6: Hem the top
Your bag is
almost complete!
Turn the top
edge of the bag down about 1", turning the raw edge under
an additional 1/4". Iron and then top stitch along edge.
Step
7: Preparing Handles
Fold each
handle piece in half width wise, right sides together, and stitch
down the side. Turn pieces right side out, iron and top stitch.
Step
8: Attaching Handles
Determine
the placement of your straps by measuring the same distance in
from the side panels on both sides. Mark each spot with a pin.
Pin the straps to the bag.
Fold under
the raw edges of each handle the same amount so your handles aren't
different lengths.
Once you have
the handles pinned where you want them, stitch in place by stitching
a wide square, and then diagonal lines from each corner, creating
an X inside the square.
We stitched
our straps 1 ¼” down from the top and 2” from
the side panel seam |
