I've been looking for a big canvas tote that I can haul with me to markets and estate sales. I didn't have one that was very sturdy, so I thought that leather straps would be the perfect addition to this bag. I hope you like it too!
Supplies:
- 1/2 yard of blue canvas
- 1/2 yard of gray canvas
- scraps of leather at least 28" long and 1.5" wide - old belts would also work really well!
- 4 top gold snaps
- thread, sewing machine, scissors, chalk, iron,
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1. Cut a 17" x 17" square from the blue canvas. Cut two 11" x 17" rectangles from the gray canvas. If you have a rotary cutter, ruler, and self healing mat, use these to easily cut out the blocks. If you do not have these on hand, mark the lines with chalk and then cut with scissors.
2. Using a 1/2" seam allowance, sew together the blocks as shown. Press the seams open. Now top stitch the seam. To do this sew on the right side of the fabric, 1/4" from the seam on both sides. This finishes the seam and makes the seam lie flat.
3. Hem the top of the bag. Iron 1/4" seam down, then fold & iron the seam 3/8" and press. Sew.
4. Fold the "bag" in half, make sure to line up the colored sections. Pin. Sew the side seams with a 1/2" seam.
5. To make gussets, keeping the bag inside out, pinch on corner of the bag mark 2" from tip to form a triangle, mark with chalk. Sew where line is marked. Repeat for other side. Turn inside out and you now have a bag! I don't trim the gussets as they helps the bag stand up.
6. Make handles! Cut two 28" by 1.5" of leather from scraps or use a belt. On the top of the tote, mark where you'd like the handles. I marked mine 2" down from the top, and at 5" and 11" mark. To poke holes, the easiest way is to snip a small hole with the tip of the scissors.
7. I only attached the front snaps to each of the handles. Punch a hole in the leather, attach the snaps to secure leather to canvas, hammer secure. Repeat three more times to each end of the handle.
Viola & Enjoy!
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