Tote Bag

This month I am leading a workshop on a follow-up to using Colourcraft art materials. I thought of making a tote bag in fabric and decorating it with some of the techniques we had learnt with Colourcraft and then embroidering over the top. [See some of the ideas below]

Patterned bag with evolon pocket

Close up of pocket decorated with Markal and stitch.

Bag stamped with wood block and embroidered

Bag decorated with angelina circles and stitch

Bag shape decorated with Markal, applique, print and stitch.

Bag shape to show wadding

It is much easier to embellish the bag before stitching together, then sew side seams on bag and wadding as one, followed by the lining. So you end up with 2 bags after you have sewn across the bottom to make the bases.

After stitching the bases you make the straps using two pieces cut 5" x 32".

The straps are ironed long-wise in half, then opened out and then folded to the centre and then in half again making the strap 4 layers thick. They are then stitched both sides and stitched to the top of the bag as below.

The two bags are then put inside of each other right sides together. The top is then stitched around leaving a gap at the back between the handles.

The bag is then turned the right way around so all seams are on the inside and the gap is closed with slip stitch. The top of the bag is then machined to keep the lining in place and below you see the bag.