Quick and Easy Lined Tote Bag Tutorial

Here is a quick tutorial for making a lined tote bag. I have found that I can get nice results with a minimal amount of fuss using this method, it avoids all hand stitching and gives a nice finished look. I used quilting cotton for lining and outer fabric and fused iron on interfacing (medium or heavy weight) to all pieces which gives you a very structured tote that will stand up on its own. If you want something less stiff you could use interfacing on the outside only or not at all. Of course you could also use a heavier weight fabric in lieu of interfacing.

This bag was for my daughter and ended up about 8" wide by 10" tall and 3.5" deep.

Cut two pieces 12.5" x 12.5" of both outer and lining and two pieces 2" x 15" of each fabric for the straps. Cut the same size for interfacing for all pieces if you like. (1/2 yard is plenty for each fabric and you need 50" of interfacing that is 20" wide)

Fold the long edges of the strap pieces towards the middle. Put one outer fabric piece with one lining fabric piece and topstitch along the edges. Put the two lining pieces right sides together and sew up the sides, do the same for the outer fabric.

Turn outer fabric tube right side out, center and pin down the straps on either side.

Put the outer fabric tube with straps inside the lining tube so that right sides are together.

Sew around the top, turn and topstitch.

Make sure the bag is inside out and sew all layers together at the bottom. I like to use a 1/2" seam then trim to 1/4" and zigzag over the edge. If you have a serger I am sure it would be much easier to just sew up the bottom with that.

In the corners on both sides of the bottom mark out a 1.75" square from the folded edge and the seam. Pinch the corners so the lines line up and sew along the line.

Turn it right side out and you are done!

Pouches and a tote

Today I decided to squeeze in a little crafting and made a couple pouches for Layden's teacher and a tote bag for our babysitter. Layden picked out the fabric for his teacher and the tote is lined with black fabric with eggs (they have chickens). Not sure why I picked the outer fabric for the tote, I just liked it. Hopefully they will like them. I am please with how both turned out and the tote went the smoothest of any tote so far. The outer and inner fabrics have fusible interfacing and I sewed up the bottom similar to the pouch sides. This method leaves you with a serged edge at the bottom but, for me, it makes it so much easier and quicker to get the rest of the bag looking nice.

Back to School

It is back to school season but not for the little ones this year, it is my turn. So I get the fun of getting myself ready to go back to school. While I don't need crayons, markers, glue sticks or anything plaid, I do have a few things to put together. Really I am just taking the excuse to do a bit more crafting before I don't have time for it anymore. Today I put the finishing touches on a case for our laptop to keep it a bit safer in my backpack. I made it from a felted wool sweater and I don't know if I am entirely happy with it but I will use it for a bit and see what I think. I am tempted to make a pencil case like this one, not because I need one, but because it is cute, we will see if I get around to it. Classes actually start tomorrow so I don't know that I will really get too much else done. I think today's project (should the children cooperate) a wallet to replace mine which is falling apart. Right now I am thinking of something along these lines but I definitely want it to fit in my pocket so we shall see...

Hip bag

I have been meaning to make a hip bag for a while now and with classes starting next week and my free time disappearing I have been motivated to get things done. If you are wondering whether a hip bag is really just a fancy name for a fanny pack, yes, yes it is but it is also much cooler than a fanny pack and if I call it a hip bag I don't have to use the word "fanny". Mine is 5.5" wide, 5" tall and about 1" deep at the top.

It has a pocket under the flap that is just big enough for credit cards/ID and I made a little pocket inside to just fit my cell phone so it would be easy find. This way I am actually able to find it and answer it before it stops ringing. It just barely fits my cell phone wallet and keys, making it a good replacement for pockets when I am not wearing jeans. However, I think I would make it just a little bit bigger in the future.

The exterior is some black woven wool I have had sitting around forever that added some fusible interfacing to. The inside is quilter's weight cotton with majong tiles. I didn't use any interfacing for the lining but I did for the pockets. The straps are some scavenged 1" polypropylene webbing with a side release buckle.

My hip bag was inspired by the Hipshack by Maytreeark on Etsy, hers, of course, look much nicer. So if you want one but don't feel like making it yourself, you know where to look. I only had enough strapping for it to go around my waist, hers are made adjustable to go over the shoulder as well.

Little Purse - pattern

I went ahead and made a pattern for my Little Purse. You should be able to squeeze it out of two fat quarters which was an unexpected bonus, though the pockets might require a little extra fabric. Here is a link to the file and one on the right as well.

Little purse

Today I made this little purse. The idea for it came to me last night so I had to make it, even though I really don't need another purse. Making up the pattern for this was surprisingly easy so I suspect I might be playing around with making my own patterns for a while. It is about 10" wide at the base, 2" deep and 4" high in the center. I put two small pockets in the lining as well. The flap closes with a snap I had lying around and a lot of trouble putting in. I put a layer of batting between the outer fabric and the lining to give it some body. I think that this would be a good size for when you just want to bring a few things with you. I am thinking about making this into a pattern to share, let me know if you are interested and I might be more motivated :).

Phoebe Bag - WIP

Today I started making myself a Phoebe Bag using the wonderful pattern provided by artsy-crafty babe. I have gotten to the point where I am ready to sew it all together but I have to wait until I get the snap. So, in the mean time, here are a couple pics of the two pockets which I didn't exactly follow the instructions for. The first one I made to be a in the lining type pocket. The second is almost like the type in the pattern except I pieced together the fabric. The blue print is what I am using for the outside of the bag. So far I am very happy with the pattern and how it is working out, we shall just have to see how it all goes together.