Structured Tote Bag Sewing Tutorial

Описание: Fabric's - Choose a quilting cotton or home dec for the exterior and cotton for the lining
.6m(24") exterior fabric or (two tone:3FQ) 2 for bottom,1 for top
.6m lining (1/2 yd or 2 FQ)
1.85m fusible interfacing(SF101)
.6m fusible fleece (971F Thermolam Plus)
Optional Pockets 9" X 11" (half a fat quarter)
Webbing for straps: or cotton straps

Cut Pieces
Bottom Exterior : 2-21x12 3/4
Top Exterior: 2-21" x 6"
Lining: 2-21" x 17 1/2"
Fusible Fleece: 2-21" x 17 1/2"
Fusible Interfacing: 2-21" x 11 3/4" & 2-21" x 5
Webbing: 60" (1.5m)

1/2" SEAM ALLOWENCE
remember to back stitch at the beginning and the end of all seams

1. Fuse interfacing to wrong side of exterior and lining pieces
2. Center and fuse thermolam to the wrong side of all exteriors
3. Sew the exterior tops to exterior bottoms, right sides together along 21" edge
4. Press seams toward the bottom exterior and top stitch along the bottom exterior seam 1/4" from the seam catching the seam allowence
5. Press
6. Cut 3" squares from two bottom corners of exterior and lining panels
7. If adding pockets do so now. Fuse the pocket fabric to wrong side,fold along shortest side right sides together. Sew along both sides and bottom with a 1/4" seam allowence. Leaving a 4" opening,trim corners. Turn rightside out, push the corners out with a corner turner, or chopsticks and press. Tuck seam allowence in at the bottom edge. Top stitch across the top edge.Fold pocket and lining in half to find centre. Pin pocket on the right side of the lining, 4" from the top edge with centres aligned. Edgestitch pocket along both sides and bottom,cathcing and closing the bottom opening with stitches. Reinforce with extra stitches at top of both sides.

8. Pin straps to top edge of exterior panels,5 1/2 " from each side edge, be careful that the strap isn't twisted. Sew in place 1/4" seam
9. Pin Bottom edge of exterior panels right sides together and sew. Press seams to one side
10. Open unit flat and topstitch 1/4" from bottom seam on the side that you pressed the seam to,you will be catching the seam in your topstitching
11. Pin exterior pieces right sides together. Sew the sides and bottom. Corner squares will remain unsewn. Press seams open
12. Pin lining right sides together. Stitch along the sides and bottom, leaving a 6" opening for turning. (opening can be on side if preferred) Press 1/2" seam allowence open to allow for nice finish at the end
13. Open corner cutouts,pinching to bring sides, seams and bottom seams together. Pin and sew remember to back stich at beginning and end this creates a boxed corner
14. With exterior right side out and lining wrong side out,place exterior unit inside lining unit. Make sure the straps are tucked inside between exterior and lining. Match side seams and pin across entire top
15. Sew around top edge of the bag using the free arm of the machine. Reinforce straps by sewing a few times
16. Pull the bag thru the opening at the bottom of the lining. Tuck seam allowence in and edgestitch close to the opening.
17. Push lining into the exterior and press the top edge making sure the seam is at the edge and press
18. Topstitch 1/4" and 1/2" around the top of the bag
19. Give your bag a final press and your finished!