Spring Tote - Wayside Sewing

and fold the bag so the side seam aligns with the bottom center seam of
the bag as shown in the diagram. Measure
up 3” from the point and mark a line across
the point. Stitch on this line, trim off the
excess fabric and repeat for the other corner.
Make the lining

Fold the 10 x 6 inside pocket in half right sides together to more a 5 x 6”
piece. Sew the side seams using a 1/4” seam allowance and turn right side
out, press. Measure down 13” from the short end and place the raw edge
of the pocket centered at this point and sew down the raw edge the same
as was done for the outer pocket, flip up and top stitch a 1/4” in from both
sides to hold in place. Add additional pockets or a larger pocket if desired.

Fold the lining in half right sides together and sew the side seams then
Box pleat the bottom using the same instructions as the exterior.
Tote Construction

Place lining inside the outer bag, wrong sides together. Align the side
seams and sew them together a 1/4” in from the raw top edges.

Lay the raw edge of the binding along the top edge right sides together
with the lining. Start sewing about 2” in from the end of the binding and
attach to the top of the bag using a 3/8” seam allowance. When you get
close to the beginning stitching, stop and sew the two ends together to fit
the top of the bag then finish attaching.

Fold the binding over the top edge of the bag. Fold in the raw edge and
top stitch it down by stitching in the ditch between the binding and the
lining fabric making sure to catch the binding on the back as you stitch.

Spring Tote
10” x 12” x 4” finished
Fold down 3” of the bag to create the cuff and if desired add a button flap
to finish. You can also stitch in the ditch along the side seam to attach
lining to outer bag down 3”.
A simple yet functional bag. The Spring Tote can be made out of any fabric
but the use of oilcloth makes for the perfect spring tote bag. Oilcloth is a fabric
with a special plastic coating, you get the beauty of a cotton with the benefits
of a water proof plastic re-usable tote.
GO GREEN—Make a larger version for a re-usable grocery bag or a great
carry bag for those quick shopping trips to the pharmacy or your favorite
store.
Cutting:
No need to keep to our measurements, want a bigger bag? Cut your main body and lining
bigger and make sure to lengthen your top binding. Want it smaller, just reduce these.
Fabric #1 (1/2 yard Oil Cloth)
Cut (1) 15 1/2 x 33 1/2” main body
Cut (1) 5 1/2 x 6” outer pocket
Fabric #2 (1/2 yard Bag Lining)
Cut (1) 15 1/2 x 33 1/2” lining
Fabric #3 (1/2 yard Accent Fabric)
Cut (1) 10 x 6” inside pocket
Cut (1) 7 x 6” outside pocket lining
Cut (1) 2 1/2” x 3 yard handle cover
Cut (1) 2 x 38” top binding
Handle
Cut 3 yards 1” wide strapping –or– cut two 1 x36” batting
Fabric #3 will be a little bit longer than Fabric #1 , trim to the same size.
Attach the Pocket

Lay out Fabric #1 face up and measure 13” down from one short edge
and mark a line (suggestion: place a piece of tape on the oil cloth and write
on that, it is easier to remove, or use washable markers) parallel to the
short end. Mark the center of this line. Place the long
13” down
raw edge of the pocket on this line face-down on the
oil cloth, with the finished edge of the pocket away
from the top edge you measured from.

Sew the raw edge a 1/4” in from the edge. Flip the
pocket towards the “top”, tape in place. When attached, the handles will hold the sides of the pocket
Sew on Straps

Mark a line 4 1/4” in from the long edge on both sides
of oil cloth. The outer edge of the handle will align with these . Mark the
bottom middle (X in diagram) on both lines.

Measure and mark the middle of the handle. Place the
middle of the handle on one X and overlap the raw
edge ends on the other end. To connect the ends, trim
back the strapping on one side and pull the extra tubing over the other end.

Layout the remainder of the handle, tape it in place
using the marked lines for placement. Make sure to
remove the tape holding the pocket in place when
taping the handle over it.

Measure 6” down from the short end on both sides
and mark the handle. Sew between the marks stitching over the previous
stitches in the handle, make sure to secure stitches at both ends.
Piecing:
Make the handle.

Make a long tube from the 2 1/2” strip of fabric 3# using a scant 1/4” seam
allowance. Turn the tube right side out.

If using batting instead of strapping, layer the two long strips of batting
on top of each other and using a zig zag stitch, stitch the two pieces together down the center for one thick strip. Insert the strapping/batting
into the handle tube. Center the seam allowance in the center “back” of
the handle and press in place.

Using a 1/4” or edge stitching foot, stitch through all layers of the handle
1/4” in from both edges along the entire length of the handle to secure
the fabric to the strapping and give more stability to the handle.
Make the Outer Pocket


Place the 7 x 6 Fabric #3 right sides together with the 5 /12” x 6 Fabric #1
matching the edges along one 6” edge. Stitch the fabrics together using
a 1/4” seam.
Flip Fabric #3 to the back, without folding over the seam allowance. Top
stitch through all layers along the fold line to secure the fabrics together.
Box corners

Fold the outer bag in half right sides together and stitch the side seams.

Create a 4” box pleat on both sides. Snip
open the bottom of the side seam allowance