The finishing touches for an attractive tote bag by Jean Boyd June 13, 2018 written by Jean Boyd June 13, 2018 801 Yesterday I showed you how to add inside pockets and outside pockets made by using Stitch-N-Steam by UNIQUE to your tote bag. Now you’re ready to sew on the handles and do the finishing touches. Getting creative with Stitch-N-Steam, it’s a versatile tool when using it for accent on all sewing projects! Handles Place one handle strip made from webbing on the outside of one of the 16″ squares so it’s about 4″ from the outside edge of the bag and covers the raw edges of the outside pocket. Pin or baste in place. You can “try on” the bag for size now and adjust the length of the handles if necessary. Repeat for the other side of the bag. Stitch along both edges of the handles making sure that the top hem is folded down in place. Use a walking foot or even-feed foot on your machine to help you sew through all layers. The inside pockets will be stitched in place at the same time you are stitching the handles. Stitch the webbing handles. Putting it all together Overcast the 2 sides and bottom of each 16″ square using a zigzag stitch or serger. Make sure the top hem is unfolded. Using a ½” seam allowance, and with right sides together, sew the front and back sections of the bag together. Make sure the top hem is unfolded at the side seams. Sew front and back together. Follow the diagram and picture below to make square corners on the bottom of the bag. Make square corners for bottom of bag. Sewing the square corners for bottom of tote bag Refold the top hem and stitch in place. Stitch the top hem. Check out my QUILTsocial post from March 14, 2018 to see how to make a firm insert for the bottom of your bag. This step is optional, but it does help to keep the bag from sagging when you’re using it. Here’s how the inside of your bag will look. Inside of tote bag Now you have a finished tote bag with some textured outside pockets made with Stitch-N-Steam and handles made from Creativ Dékor webbing. This webbing comes in many different colors. You’re sure to find lots of ways to use both of these unique products to create design embellishments for your other projects. Creativ Dékor webbing Finished tote bag with texturized fabric for the pockets Be sure to come back tomorrow. I’ll be showing you how to use HeatnBond EZ PRINT LITE for some easy applique designs. These fusible web sheets go right in your printer! HeatnBond EZ PRINT LITE This is part 3 of 5 in this series. Go back to part 2: 7 easy steps to make inside pockets for the tote bag Go to part 4: How to use fusible web that goes in your printer and its characteristics [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”23735596″] Print this page or save as a PDF 0qs211bags and accessoriesfree patternsnotionsstitch n steamunique FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail Jean Boyd Jean has been designing and publishing patterns since 1997. For the past several years she has been designing patterns for new fabric collections by Northcott Fabrics. Her work has been published in several magazines in both Canada and the United States. Jean holds a Fiber Arts Certificate in quilting and has taught extensively throughout Canada, including six national Quilt Canada conferences. She was named "Canadian Teacher of the Year" in 2003 by the Canadian Quilters Association and has won numerous awards for her quilts. previous post 7 easy steps to make inside pockets for the tote bag next post How to use fusible web that goes in your printer and its characteristics YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... 6 easy steps to assemble a quilt using... 5 simple sewing notions make fun blocks for... Use hook and loop tape to make peek-a-boo... 5 easy steps to make chenille fabric 4 easy steps to create texture in a... WHY Hemline Gold quilting tools are made to... Oliso M3Pro project iron – the perfect travelling... Quilting tools to help with everyday needs OLFA rotary cutter and rulers for quilters on... 2 comments S. Stewart June 14, 2018 - 12:21 pm The textured fabric on the pockets really does make the bag looks so much more attractive! Reply Jean Boyd June 14, 2018 - 5:08 pm Thanks! I really like the effects you can achieve with StitchNSteam too. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
