Tutorial: Shopping Tote

[dyabolica]

This is for a friend who prefers fabric shopping bags, I made her other stuff with the fabric too.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=60869.0
heres the bag, the fabric is from the late 70s early 80s..I wish I had a bolt of it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/dyabolica/PB010023.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/dyabolica/PB010025.jpg
Draw a rectangle 13x17
13 is the width
17 is the height
Draw a line down the center of the rectangle
Measure 2 inches  from each side of center line mark
On the 17 inch sides measure  down 9 inches on each side and mark.
Take a French curve or an oval platter and connect 2 inch mark with 9 inch mark, making a nice fluid curve.
Cut out the pattern so it looks like this

Cut two outside fabric and  two lining fabric. ( an old denim pant leg works great )
Interface your lining and add a zippered pocket if desired.
Decorate the outside fabric if desired.  ( I used some crustacean stencils made out of freezer paper. )


Sew outside fabric together at handle rst and press open, do the same to the lining.

With RST, pin flat purse to flat lining matching corners and seam.

 Stitch along curved edge using  a ½ inch seam allowance. Clip curves or use pinking shears.

Turn RSO by pushing one complete side ( fabric and lining ) through the handle. Press.

Pin right sides of purse together and right side of lining  together pushing handle out of the  way and matching seams., leaving a 5 inch area in the lining open for turning. Sew from opening all the way around  the lining then bag and stopping at the other side of the opening. Trim corners and seams and flip purse RSO thru opening in lining.

Poke corners out with a chopstick and sew opening in liner shut. Push lining down into bag. Press bag and topstitch the handle opening about ¼ inch from edge. Clip threads your done.



* RSO right sides out
* RST right sides together

[the noodle princess]

that fabric is sooo lovely! congrats on the awesome thrift score.  and nice work on the bag and other stuff! perfect for a hippy friend!

[archer*of*loaf]

This is incredible!  LOVE the fabric and the shape!!!

[kiwikrafter]

That fabric is great!! Loving it.
70's,early 80's...who would of thought it could look so good?!

[liquorice]

That's beautiful! The handle that way is a great idea. I might have to 'steal' it when I actually learn to sew...

Oh and I love that fabric too. I bet it would look great as a top as well.

[SewPixie]

WOW! The bag shape you chose really shows off the fabric print nicely. Very well done on the bag and the other accessories.

[orangecoolaid]

i love that bag!
ah its so cute
do u have a pattern for it?



<3333

[dyabolica]

i love that bag!
ah its so cute
do u have a pattern for it?



<3333

there ya go

[Mela]

1.  I LOVE the crustateans!  So cute!
2.  GREAT Tute!  This is gonna be the next bag I make!
I always love your stuff!  Good job, again!

[dyabolica]

1.  I LOVE the crustateans!  So cute!
2.  GREAT Tute!  This is gonna be the next bag I make!
I always love your stuff!  Good job, again!

I wanna see it when its done, I just love your avatar, the dogs expression is hysterical.