This is a Christmas tote bag made of quilting scraps. I made this tote bag from two squares of 30 by 30 inch material with batting in the middle. You then quilt them together and put a binding around the raw edges. It's like making a 30 by 30 quilt square or you can use the pre-quilted material, just add your binding.
You then lay face down, fold the two opposite corners to the middle, overlapping each other. This, you will see, will give you a square in the middle. Sew around the square in the middle, this will give you the inside pockets.
Then flip wrong sides together and sew up your sides. Take the bottom and sew 2 inches from the corner point across, this will give you a boxed bottom. Do this on each side. Then cut off point and discard. Make sure you zig zag across where you just cut. Turn this to the inside. You are now on the outside of your tote. Fold down your outside flaps, sew across the top of tote about a half inch.
You are now ready to make your handles. Cut matching material into 2 - 4 inch by how ever you long you want your handles to be. Fold the material, each side to the middle and press. Then fold once again and sew on each side of strap. Do this to both pieces of material. You should now have two straps ready to sew on your tote.
Measure 1 1/2 inches from the top corner of the tote, pin your strap in place making it a good inch down in the tote. Sew across the strap several times to secure. So this for both side of handle. You then take a piece of sew on velcro and sew at top between handles on both sides.
This is was not my original pattern but I have modified it to my own liking. The embroidery patterns used are from the free embroidery pattern section of sew forum and I take no credit for them, they are gifts from the wonderful digitizers there. I only embroidered them on to my tote bag. Oh, the inside pockets are at an odd angle but this is the way it is made. Don't worry, things will not fall out of the pockets as they are quite deep.
By Madeline from Jacksonville, Alabama
This page contains the following solutions.
I make cakes, make quilts, and now I decided to get into purses and totebags.
A tote makes a quick homemade present for anyone! Embroider or write your slogan or picture onto one of the rectangles of fabric, roughly in the centre.
Since we are celebrating "going green" I thought I'd share yet another tote idea. I made these totes (5 in all) for our church fair last fall. Someone generously donated the denim fabric.
We all try to "go green" and one good way is by using tote bags instead of plastic. Depending on what kind of bag you choose, most can be purchased for $1.00.
Did you know you can recycle Tyvek into a waterproof and durable lining for fabric projects. Tyvek can be found in jumpsuits/coveralls for industry work. This type of Tyvek is very soft and fabric-like. You can also recycle Tyvek from mailing envelopes.
Use strips of plastic grocery bags to make this sturdy crochet tote. This is a page about making a tote bag from recycled plastic bags.
This is a page about making a tote bag from a dog food bag. Use the woven fabric from bulk pet food to make sturdy totes.
Old jeans can find new purpose via many recycled projects. Here is a link to making a tote bag from retired jeans. This is a page about making a recycled denim tote bag.
Once your tote bag is made the last step it to craft the handles. For some crafts this step can be more difficult. This is a page about making tote bag handles.
This is a page about decorating tote bags. Canvas or plastic tote bags can be personalized with decoration for yourself or someone special as a gift.
