For the next several days I will be posting about the World Congress of Families. This year it is being held in Sydney, Australia.  Remember how we helped to raise funds for Angela to attend? She is sending daily reports of the presentations, interviews she is able to have, and more. I am excited to share with you what she is experiencing. There are so many around the world - politicians, religious leaders, community organizers, trained professionals, and others - who are dedicated to defending the family. I will try to post each day's events in order so you are not reading them backwards as you scroll down. I have broken up Angela's summaries into several posts so it isn't overwhelming to see a HUGE post. Remember, if you have any questions you would like her to ask when she gives her interviews, leave them in the comments and I will pass them along to her.

Pretty Tote Tutorial

Here is my latest creation. We are loving the contrasting fabric at the top and the buttons. And it is so easy to make.

Materials: (see photo 1)
2 pieces coordinating fabric cut 9 x 22-24 inches ( I used the width of the fabric from selvage to selvage). Just make sure they are both the same length.

2 pieces from the main fabric 3 x 18 inches for handles.

2 pieces fusible pellon 3 x 18 inches to line the handles.

1 piece fusible pellon 9 x 22-24 inches to line the bag.

All sewing instructions assume a 1/4 inch seam allowance unless otherwise noted.


Step One: Fuse pellon pieces to back side of handle fabric and lining fabric.
Step Two: Iron each handle in half lengthwise wrong sides together. Fold and iron each long edge in 1/4 inch. (see photo 2)
Step Three: Fold the handle in half wrong sides together tucking the 1/4 inch folded edge inside. Sew down 1/8 inch away from edge to create the handle. Top stitch 1/8 from edge on the other long edge. (see photo 3)
Step Four: Fold the main fabric in half (bring 9 inch edges together at the top) right sides together. Sew down each side. Do the same with the lining fabric. (see photo 4)
Step Five: Turn lining right side out. Pin handles to each side and sew. No precise measurements here. Just make sure they match up on both sides. (see photo 5)
Step Six: Stuff the lining (still right side out) into the main fabric which is inside out. (see photo 6) Match top edges, pin, and sew leaving a three inch opening to turn the bag right side out.
Step Seven: Turn bag right side out by reaching into opening and pulling the fabric out.(see photo 7) When bag is turned right side out stuff lining into main fabric and pull up handles. Press top edge making sure to press the opening edges into inside of bag.
Step Eight: Topstitch 1/8 inch from top edge all around the top of the bag. (see photo 8)
Now you have a simple bag that we are going to embellish to up the cuteness factor.
Step Nine: Fold the top edge of the bag down about 1 1/2 inches all the way around. Press. (see photo 10) You can top stitch again 1/8 inch around the top edge if you want. I didn't.

Step Ten: Now fold the handles back up. Tack them down by sewing on a button. (see photo 11) You're done! Wasn't that an easy way of creating a coordinating stripe without having to do any extra measuring, cutting, and sewing? The finished measurements are about 8 inches wide by 9 - 10 inches tall.


I'd love to know if you make any bags of your own. I continue to get a great response from my Reversible Handbag Tutorial. It's terrific knowing others are out there adding their own touches to the basic bag.

Have fun creating!


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16 comments:

  1. Okay! I need something simple to practice sewing on my new machine. I've done some repairs so far and I have yet to try an actual project. This may be it!

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  2. Super cute! Thanks for the tutorial!!

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  3. The only bags I've been able to get myself to make are the placemat bags. I LOVE them because I can finish them before I can give up on them ;-)

    I love your bag tutorials, though, and have saved them for the day when I have the time, and gumption, to sew again.

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  4. FUN! I'm going to make one for Miss Anna...she'll LOVE it! Thanks for the easy to follow tutorial.

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  5. This is a great bag, and I love the tricky way of making the cuff without having to add an extra series of stitching steps. Next time I need a present for a little girl birthday party, I know what I'm making (last week it was a princess cape). Thanks for the great ideas, as always.

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  6. You have got such a great all-in-one-blog. You know that?

    :)

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  7. This looks so cute and easy. I'm thinking maybe I can do this. Thanks!

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  8. I made one of these last night. It was so easy and cute!! Thanks for posting.

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  9. How cute! These would make great Easter "baskets"/bags. Thanks for posting the tutorial!

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  10. Thanks for posting this-it looks so cute and simple to do! I also love your spiritual thoughts and FHE lessons!

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  11. Hi Cocoa!

    Wow, this is wonderful...even I can understand it, normally by step 2 or three I am lost! Thanks so much...this will be fun to try. I think my girls will like to give it a try too!

    Kimmie
    mama to 6
    one homemade and 5 adopted

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  12. thank you so much for this tutorial! this is the first project i've completed on my new sewing machine - i need more practice - but it was simple enough to not be overwhelming for an inexperienced person like me! thanks again

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  13. This was my daughter's first sewing project. She loved it and it was simple enough for a beginner. Thanks. Here's how it came out:

    http://amyjamey.blogspot.com/2010/04/sewing-lesson.html

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  14. Hannah McClintic SingletonApril 21, 2010 at 7:18 PM

    fabulous! my girls and i will be making these asap! love the tote and look forward to our final creations! thanks for the directions!

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  15. I am making three of them and then 5 of the reversible handbags all before christmas! Thanks for making them understandable!

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  16. Thank you so much for the awesome tutorial. My 8 year old daughter and I made it for her friend's birthday gift. Turned out just perfect!

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