Striped Tote Bag Tutorial

STRIPE PATCHWORK FABRIC TOTE BAG SEWING TUTORIAL | BAG MAKING AT HOME EASY | DIY BAG TUTORIAL

Materials
• For the main bag cut six pieces measuring 7cm long by 98cm wide of the following Kona Cotton Solids:
Baby Blue, Ice Frappe, Honey Dew, Sunflower, Ice Peach, Peony.
• In Petunia cut a piece 7cm x 98cm plus a 12cm x 40cm piece for the base:
• For the lining, in a neutral colour (I used Kona Natural) cut a piece 37cm x 98cm plus a 12cm x 40cm piece for the base:
• For the straps cut two 70cm pieces in webbing (I used Japanese striped webbing)
• Matching thread, fabric scissors and general sewing supplies.

Overall size of bag – 38 cm wide, 35 cm tall and 10 cm deep (excluding straps).

1) Sewing the stripes together

• Decide on the order you want to have the different coloured stripes. The stripe that is the same colour as the 12 cm x 40 cm piece (in this example purple) should be at the bottom of the bag. Overlock or zigzag the long sides of the seven pieces of cotton measuring 7 cm x 98 cm.

• Sew the seven stripes together along the long sides with a 1 cm seam allowance. Press the seams open.

• Overlock or zigzag the two side seams and top and bottom of the bag.

• Fold right sides together and sew the side seam with a 1 cm seam allowance. Press the side seam open.

2) Attach the base of the bag

• Overlock or zigzag all four sides of the purple piece of cotton measuring 12 cm x 40 cm.
• With right sides together, pin the 12 cm x 40 cm purple piece of cotton to the base of the striped bag. Sew this in place with a 1cm seam allowance and press.

3) Preparing the lining

• Overlock or zigzag around all four sides of the lining piece measuring 37cm x 98cm.
• With right sides together, match the side seams measuring 37 cm and sew together using a 1cm seam allowance. Press the side seams open.
• Overlock or zigzag around all four sides of the lining piece measuring 12cm x 40cm.
• With right sides together, pin the 12 cm x 40 cm cotton lining piece to the base of the bag lining. Sew this in place with a 1 cm seam allowance and press seams open.

4) Fitting the lining into the striped bag

• Turn the lining inside out. Fold over (wrong sides together) and press 1.5 cm all the way around the top edge.

• Fold over (wrong sides together) 1cm around the top edge of the striped bag.
• Place the lining into the striped bag and pin 0.5 cm below the top edge.

5) Attaching the straps

• On each side of the bag, place a strap between the striped bag and lining pieces, pin in place. Leave a 15 cm gap between both straps. To ensure they are central on both sides of the bag, use the corners of the bag base to guide you.

6) Sewing the bag together

• Turn the bag inside out and edge stitch close to the top edge of the lining fabric, attaching it to the striped bag and securing the straps.

7) Finishing touches

• Turn the bag right sides out. To further secure the straps, sew a crossed box over each strap.

• To give the bag more structure, pin the four edges of the bag (up from the four corners of the base). Edge stitch just the striped bag fabric, starting and finishing 2 cm from both ends.

Finished!