Mesh shower ToTe

Mesh Shower Tote
This project was originally posted to the BERNINA Sewing Republic site
by Kathryn Goodman
Made from mesh fabric, this tote carries all of your toiletries into the shower with you without
worries. The water drips away through the mesh, allowing everything inside to dry quickly.
You can substitute oilcloth for the cotton fabric trim for an even faster-drying, completely
waterproof bag.
• ½ yard quilting cotton or oilcloth
• ½ yard fiberglass screening
• 1 spool coordinating thread
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Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
Straight-edged ruler
Straight pins
Turning tool or a wooden chopstick
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1. Cutting the Fabric
From the quilting cotton or oilcloth
fabric, cut:
• Two 11” x 7”rectangles for the top tote
trim
• One 5” x 11” rectangle for the outer
pocket
• Two 4” x 40” strips for the tote straps
2. From the fiberglass screening, cut
two 11” x 9½” rectangles.
Constructing the Shower Tote
Note: Use a ½” seam allowance unless
otherwise stated. Seam allowances are
included in the pattern pieces.
For the front of the tote, place one 11” x 7” piece of fabric face down on
one rectangle of screening. Pin along
the width of the two pieces. Stitch.
3. Turn fabric right side up and
press, being careful not to touch
the iron to the screening.
Important: If using oilcloth, finger
press only where instructions say
to press. Using a hot iron will melt
the fabric’s coating.
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4. Turn the top edge of the fabric ½”
toward the wrong side and press.
5. Turn again, folding the rectangle
in half lengthwise and lining up the
folded edge with the stitched seam.
Press along the top fold. Pin across
the edge.
6. Edgestitch along the pinned side.
Repeat with remaining fabrics to make
the back of the tote.
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7. Fold the pocket piece in half
across the width. Press.
8. Stitch ¼” from the folded edge.
If you are using a BERNINA sewing
machine, the Patchwork Foot with
Guide #57 foot helps make perfectly
spaced topstitching.
9. Place the pocket on one of the
mesh/fabric pieces. Line up the
bottom raw edge of the pocket
with the bottom edge of the mesh
screening, centering the pocket. The
side raw edges of the pocket will be
about 3” away from the sides of the
mesh screening.
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10. Pin well along the sides and
bottom of the pocket piece.
Baste in place.
11. To construct the straps, fold
each strip in half lengthwise, wrong
sides together. Press.
12. Open the strip and press the
raw edges toward the center crease.
Press. Pin along the edge to close.
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13. Edgestitch along the length of
both long sides.
14. Place the ends of one tote strap
2½” from the edge of the mesh
fabric. The strap will cover the raw
edges of the pocket.
15. Pin into place. Repeat for the
other side of the bag.
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16. Edgestitch one side of the tote
strap, starting at the lower raw
edge of the bag.
17. Stop stitching at the top of the
tote with the needle down in the
fabric. Raise the presser foot and
pivot the fabric. Stitch across the top
edge.
18. Pivot again and stitch down the
other edge of the strap.
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19. Repeat with other side of the
tote.
20. Next we will finish the tote
seams using a French seam.
With the wrong sides of the two tote
front and back together, pin along
the side and bottom edges. Stitch.
21. Carefully trim the seam
allowances to ⅛”.
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22. Turn the tote wrong side out.
23. Stitch ¼” along the side and
bottom edges. If you are using a
BERNINA sewing machine, Walking
Foot #50 helps keep layers from
shifting as you stitch them together.
24. Turn tote right side out, gently
pushing corners out with a turning
tool or a wooden chopstick.
Now you’re ready to hit the shower
in style!
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handmade kate for Sewing Republic
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