Please be sure to Email
me if you have any questions about the instructions
for this free tote pattern. Enjoy!
(Pattern and instructions are down below my shameless
plug for my designs and bags offered here on my site!)
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Here is Your Free Sewing Pattern
and Photo Instructions
for my "Pink October" Basic Tote
Even a very simple pattern with only
three pieces
can be turned into a beautiful tote like this one quick
& easy!
Instructions
for Your "Pink October" Tote Bag
This is a very easy, quick project pattern that turns
out a beautiful totebag you can embellish in hundreds
of ways. Use your imagination to make unique gifts and
to use your scrap fabrics and trims to create a new
bag for every mood!
STEP 1.- GATHER YOUR MATERIALS & SUPPLIES -
Here's what you will need (Click image to see a larger
version)
Fabric & Interfacing - 1/2 to 3/4 yard each
of two coordinating fabrics for body and a piece
of fabric long enough to cut two straps measuring
at least 25' x 4.5'' for straps.
A coordinate fabric large enough to cut two pockets
measuring 8.5" x 10"
1 yard fusible interfacing (choose medium weight
or apppropriate weight interfacing depending on
your fabric weight).
3/4 yard Fusible fleece interfacing if you care
to use it to give your bag more shape and sturdiness.
This is highly recommended.
Notions & Supplies - Scissors for cutting
fabric and for cutting paper pattern, ruler, thread,
pins, chalk to mark seam lines and dots, velcro
closure or magnet closures (optional), brown kraft
paper or other paper to cut pattern pieces from
(you can even use a grocery sack!)
STEP
2.- CREATE THE PATTERN PIECES
Make tote body pattern from paper: measure and
cut out a 12" tall by 15" wide rectangle and notch
a 1 & 1/2" square out of each of the bottom
corners as shown above.
Mark the pattern piece as I have in the photo
with dots at the corners where theseam
allowances cross. Make sure to lay the pattern so
that the grain of the fabric runs lengthwise. Mark
your pattern with the grainline.
I recommend 1/2 seams, you may use 5/8 if that
is what you are used to sewing, just be consistent
with all seam allowances.
You may adjust the size of your tote by increasing
the width and height of your pattern piece. For
example if you want your finished tote to be 16"
wide and 13" tall you would cut your pattern
as 17" wide by 14" tall. You can increase
the notch to 2" square, which will result in
a 3" wide bottom.
The Finished Size of your tote if you
use 1/2" seams WILL BE: 14" wide b 11"
tall with a 2.5" bottom.
The Finished Size of your tote if you
use 5/8" seams WILL BE: 13.75" wide b
10.75" tall with a 2" bottom.
To make the tote strap pattern piece from paper,
measure and cut out a 25" to 29" long by 4.5" wide
pattern piece.
To make the pocket pattern piece, measure an 8.5"
wide by 10" tall rectangle. For unlined pocket mark
1.5" foldmark at top of pocket pattern piece and
mark 5/8 inch stitching lines on all pattern pieces.
If you wish to make lined pockets, cut your two
pocket pieces measuring 8.5 wide by 8.5 tall.
STEP 3.- CUT OUT YOUR TOTE &
INTERFACINGS - Cut 2 body pattern pieces from each
of two coordinating fabric pieces. 2 for the outer
shell and 2 for the inner shell (lining). Cut 2
strap pattern pieces and 2 (or 4 for lined pockets)
pocket pattern pieces from desired coordinating
fabrics.
Cut 2 body pieces & 2 straps from interfacing.
You may choose to use interfacing on the straps
depending on the weight of your fabric. If the fabric
is heavy enough, it will hold it's shape after the
folding and sewing on the straps is complete without
interfacing.
STEP 4.-PREPARE YOUR PIECES -
Fuse interfacing to back side of outer shell
body pieces and pocket pieces with a steam iron
according to fusible interfacing directions.
Mark circles with chalk or a marking pencil on
body pieces at the notched corners and at the top
edges where you want to place the straps
For unlined pockets, turn under 1/4 inch on top
edge of pockets and press, then turn under and additional
1.25" to form pocket facing. Press. turn in on sides
and bottom of pockets 5/8" and press.
To make lined pockets, place pocket pieces with
right sides facing and stitch each of three sides
of the square together. On the 4th side stitch 2
inches along the sides from each corner, leaving
a 4 inch opening along that side. Reinforce stitching
on corners, turn pocket right side out through the
opening left on one side, push each corner out and
press your pocket to make it a nice flat square.
you can choose to handstitch the opening closed,
but I just stitch it down when I sew the pocket
on to the the tote.
STEP 5.- OPTIONS - Before beginning
to sew pieces, if you plan to use velcro or magnetic
closures you will want to sew or attach those to
the lining pieces, being careful to center them
and placing them about 1.5" from top edges. Also
if you plan to add any trim that needs to be sewn
to the top edge so that the edge of the trim is
hidden in the seam allowance you will want to add
those embellishments before sewing the main pieces
together.
COPYRIGHT: While
this tote is not difficult to make, I did put a good
deal of time and energy into creating it as a pattern
with the fewest pieces and I tried to write clear, but
complete, simple to follow instructions for constructing
a precision product that can be personalized in infinite
ways. But because it is such a simple design, it would
be silly to claim a restrictive copyright - I think
everyone should enjoy using it.
To
that end my design and instructions are free to use
and share, use in a sewing class, or to create gifts,
or to use for fun swaps, if you are "sew"
inclinded, go for it... make and sell your own designs
with my blessings... there's plenty to go around!
However, please do not reproduce the copyrighted instructions
or images on any electronic media, websites, blogs,
cd's, videos, newsletters or other media. You may link
to these pages as you wish.
Whereever copyright is expressed, here or anywhere,
please respect and support copyright law, as well as
the small arts and crafts profession. To turn my designs
or free patterns into finished products for sale now
your perogotive, however the instructions are copyrighted
and should not be recreated for commercial gain. Mama's
Pocketbook finished designs, one of a kind orginals,
and written instructions are the intellectual property
of Dianne Hadaway. Please contact dianne@mamaspocketbook.com
with any questions or requests.
