SHABBY CHIC TOTE BAG

LEVEL: EASY

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Fabrics are from Shabby Chic range
• 60cm Fabric A - Bag (Large Paisley, Purple)
• 40cm Fabric B - Base (Leaves, Purple)
• 30cm Fabric C - Straps (Ditzy, Purple)
• 60cm Fabric D - Bag Lining (Paisley, Purple)
• 40cm Fabric E - Base Lining (Scroll, Purple)
• 2m x 51cm wide Legacy SF101 fusible cotton woven interfacing
• 20cm single-sided fusible Peltex
• 56cm zipper
• Matching Gutermann 100% cotton thread
• Rotary cutter, mat & quilters rulers
• Quilting pins, tape measure
• Scissors, seam ripper
• Hand needle
• Sewing machine with zipper foot & 1/4 in foot

INSTRUCTIONS

CUTTING

All strips are cut across the width of fabric unless otherwise stated.

Using bag template provided cut 2 pieces from Bag Fabric A, 2 pieces from Bag Lining Fabric D and 2 pieces from
interfacing.

Cut two strips 6 1/2" x 21" (16.5cm x 53.5cm) from Base Fabric B, two strips from Base Lining Fabric E and two strips from interfacing.

Cut 3 x 3 1/4" (8cm) strips from Straps Fabric C for straps.

BAG

Step 1. Fuse interfacing to wrong side of Fabric A bag pieces and Fabric B strips.

STRAPS

Step 2. Trim selvedges from the 3 Fabric C strips. Cut one strip in half and sew one half on the bias to one end of each of the remaining 2 strips. Cut 2 strips of interfacing the same size and fuse to the wrong side of the strap strips.

Step 3. Fold strips in half lengthways, right sides facing and sew down the length. Trim seam allowance to 1/8" (3mm)
and turn straps right side out. Press with seam along one edge. Trim straps to 48" (122cm).

Step 4. To position the straps, find the centre point along the bottom straight edge of the bag front and mark 3" (7.5cm) from the centre on each side. Pin ends of one strap at each mark aligning raw edges of strap with bottom edge of bag ensuring strap is not twisted. Machine baste in place. Repeat for the other strap on the bag.

BASE

Step 5. With right sides facing and straps on bag front, pin and sew a Fabric B base strip to bottom edge of bag front. Press seam towards the base strip. Repeat for bag back.

Step 6. On bag front pin strap to front 8" (20cm) up from seam, ensuring straps are 6" (15cm) apart all the way up. Sew straps to bag front 1/8" (3mm) from the edge.

BAG

Step 7. Pin bag front and back together matching base seams and top edges with straps extending out the top. Sew from the top of the straight side edge down to the base, across the base and up to the top of the other straight side edge. Press seams open.

BASE

Step 8.To create the base, flatten out the bottom and match the side seam to the seam at the bottom. Pin together. To create a 5" (13cm) base mark 2 1/2" (6.5cm) down from the point and rule across to form a triangle. Stitch across end. Trim seam to 1/4" (6mm), cutting off the point. Repeat for the other end of the base.

ZIPPER

Step 9. Press top edge of bag 1/2" (12mm) to the inside and sew in zipper using zipper foot.

LINING

Step 10. With right sides facing, pin and sew a Fabric E lining base strip to bottom edge of Fabric D lining bag front. Press seam towards the base strip. Repeat for bag back.

Step 11.Pin bag lining front and back together matching base seams and top edges. Sew from the top of the straight side edge down to the base, across the base and up to the top of the other straight side edge. Press seams open.

Step 12. Repeat step 8 to create the base in the lining.

Step 13.Measure the base and trim Peltex to size approx. 5" x 20" (13cm x 50cm). Turn lining right side out, place Peltex into the base of the lining fusible side down and fuse from the fabric side. Turn lining wrong side out so Peltex is visible.

Step 14.Press top edge of lining 1/2" (12mm) to the wrong side. With bag right side out, insert lining into bag, wrong sides facing, push lining into bag base and press. Match side seams and pin top edges of lining to inside edge of zipper. Hand stitch lining to inside of zipper.

Note:Template 25% Actual Size