A couple of gals have asked for directions to our quilted tote bag so here is the pattern. I took it from two different tote bag patterns so if the directions are unclear please let me know so I can change them.
Quilted Tote
Bag
Please return finished bag to: Janet Hogan
Fabric
Requirements:
2 – 14” x
11” rectangle focus fabric
1 – 14” x
11” rectangle contrast fabric
1 – 14” x
32” rectangle (lining)
Straps - 1 –
4” strip of fabric (cut the width of the fabric – approx. 40-44” long)
1 – 14” x
32” rectangle (batting)
Assembling
the bag:
1.
Attach the 15x11 piece of contrast fabric in
between your two 15x11 focus fabric pieces to make a 15x32 piece top making
sure the pattern is going in the right direction.
1.
Layer your pieced top on the 15x32 batting.
2.
Quilt as desired
3.
Trim your excess batting off.
4.
Fold in half right sides together to make a 15” x 16” rectangle, matching the
raw edges. Pin in place.
5.
Using a
1/2” seam allowance, stitch both sides together from bottom up to the
top
6.
With the top still wrong side out, the next step
is to box the bottom corners of the bag.
7.
Using both hands, pinch and pull apart one
bottom corner.
8.
As you keep pulling, the fabric will begin to
make a little peak with the corner point at the top and the side seam line
running down the middle of one side.
Repeat for the opposite corner.
1.
Measure 1 ½ from the tip of each corner peak and
draw a horizontal line.
2.
Pin your folded ‘peaks’ and stitch along the
drawn lines.
3.
Stitch back and forth along the line two or
three times to reinforce. Trim away the peak on each side to about ¼” from the
seam line.
4.
Turn right side out and push out to form the
boxed corners.
5.
Repeat steps 5-13 to form boxed corners on the
lining piece.
6.
Sew the Quilts for Kids label on the right side
of the fabric about 2 ½ “ from the top of the lining.
The
Straps
1.
Take the 4”
strip of fabric and press in half lengthwise.
2.
Open fabric up and press each outside edge to
the center.
1.
Fold fabric in half and press
2.
Top-stitch down each side of strap close to the
edge. Cut fabric in half so you have two
straps about 22” long each.
Finishing
the bag
1.
Turn the lining wrong side out and slip it
inside the bag so the lining and the bag are wrong sides together.
2.
Align the side seams of the lining and the bag
3.
Turn under the top raw edge of the exterior bag
and the lining ½" and press in place
4.
Place straps in between right sides of fabric on
each side about two to three inches from the side edge and pin in place.
1.
Stitch all around the top opening of the bag
1/4” from the folded edges (use a decorative stitch if you want), attaching the lining and straps to the bag.
Finished!!
