A tote bag used to be a luxury. Now it's an essential piece of gear that goes with you every day -- to work, to the gym, to day care. From the summer plastic variety at Target for $12.99 to Emilio Pucci's canvas bag with orange leather handles for $285, totes make life easier and best of all, they're fun.
Finding the right tote bag is a serious quest. After purchasing more than I probably need or will ever really use, I was given a cheap, clear plastic tote at a convention recently and realized it was the perfect size. Finally, the perfect tote bag to copy and make.
So here are the instructions to make the perfect lined tote bag with an inside pocket for a cell phone. The material can be anything -- a great summer awning stripe, winter's wonderful upholstery fabric, your favorite jacket that is too small but you can't bear to throw away, two exotic table napkins, or a wild plastic shower curtain. Just look around and get creative.
Materials
1/2 yard fabric.
1/2 yard lining fabric (get crazy!).
3 yards 1-inch wide poly/web strapping.
Plastic template or cardboard.
Thread.
Sewing machine.
Preparation
Cut 2 pieces of fabric, 19 inches wide by 14 inches high.
Cut 2 pieces of lining, 19 inches wide by 14 inches high.
Cut 1 pocket piece, 11 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches high.
Cut 2 straps, 53 inches each.
Cut 1 piece plastic or cardboard, 4 inches by 14 inches.
Cut 2-inch squares out of each bottom corner of fabric and lining.
Outer bag
1. Press top edge 1/2 inch to the wrong side of each fabric piece.
2. Mark two vertical lines 5 inches from each side. Place the outside edge of the strap on each marking and stitch in place.
3. With right sides together, sew the bag together at the side seams and along the bottom, leaving the top seam allowance open and the 2-inch corners open. Press seams open.
4. Match the bottom seam to the side seam and sew the corner seams.
5. Place the plastic or cardboard piece in the bottom. Stitch a few stitches through the bottom seam to secure in place.
The lining
1. Sew a 1-inch finished hem in the pocket top.
2. Press 1/2-inch seam allowances of the pocket sides and bottom to the wrong side.
3. Center the pocket 2 inches from the top of one lining piece and topstitch in place. Stitch a vertical line 3 1/2 inches from one edge.
4. Repeat bag construction.
5. Insert the lining into the bag, pin the top edges together and topstitch. hk
Linda Lee, Topeka, is director of interior design for e. architects, owns The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection, a line of innovative sewing patterns, and is an avid fashion follower. Readers can contact her at dezynn@aol.com.
