Tutorial-Unlined tote bag with french seams

[thismomsews]

I want to make up these little bags for the girls in my cabin at camp.  It is very simple to make and using the french seam means you don't have to finish the edges in any way.  (French Seam: A seam stitched first on the right side and then turned in and stitched on the wrong side so that the raw edges are enclosed in the seam.)


Tip:An unlined bag like this is best when made with heaver weight fabrics

Directions
1.  Cut a rectangle that is the width you want (plus 1 inch seam allowance) and twice the height you want (plus 1 inch seam allowance) mine-13"w x 26"h


2.  Fold in half with the WRONG sides together


3.  Sew up the sides


4.  Clip the top and bottom corners, turn inside out and iron the side seams nice and flat (make sure you push the seam all the way to the edge)  Now you can sew up the sides again .  *Make sure your seam is wide enough to enclose the raw edge or you will have the raw edges sticking out on the right side!*



5.  Iron the top edge down twice and sew all the way around



6.  Sew on straps to top edge

7.  Finished!  Wasn't that easy? 

[supastarrr110]

Thanks for the tut! the next time i make a tote i'll try the French Seam

[Loveliness]

How clever! Thanks for the detailed instructions. 

[sewnikki]

that rocks!  I had been trying to figure something like that out, but using a lining fabric as well....so the lining would be completely connected to the outer side....i have so got to go try this. ty for telling us about it! and i love that fabric!

Nikki

[Lesa25]

Cute

[ginger-tonic]

I don't understand.... how does it work? My brain's not dealing atm.

[AmaZing]

Oh cool thanks for the tute! I love the fabric as well!

[crystal0901]

VERY nifty way of doing an unlined bag - will def have to try this with a quilted bag - I've been trying to figure out a way to quilt it, THEN sew it up - but didn't like the idea of raw edges on the inside.  This is the perfect technique!

Thanks for the tut!

[thismomsews]

Thanks Everyone, I thought it was much nicer than doing a zig zag along the raw edges.  It is so easy when you just want a no frills bag to hold stuff.

I don't understand.... how does it work? My brain's not dealing atm.

Well, what part do you not understand?-Then I could help. It is just made with one piece of fabric and the edges are sewn in a way that covers the cut edges so they don't look messy on the inside of the bag. 

[Umbrolly]

i always do my seams like that - i dint no they had a name - thanks 4 adding to my knowlege