Prints Charming: Tote Bag
By Kirsten Junor and Cath Derksema
This quick and easy tote pattern has been dressed up with a simple, graphic, hand printed linen panel by Prints Charming and then enhanced with a little hand embroidery to add the finishing touch (to see more in Prints Charming: a Cinderella Story click SEW / FASHION).
We love stitching and enhancing our fabrics, they take on a whole new dimension and it’s a great quick way to individualise any project.
Black, grey and taupes are sophisticated and great for bags, soft furnishings and clothing. Matched back with linen and other textured fabrics they will always enhance the look.
Materials:
- 1 x piece of black denim drill 45cm x 61cm
- 1 x linen printed panel 45cm x 46cm
- 1 x pieces of cotton drill 45cm x 105cm (lining)
- 1.2mt black webbing for handles
- Three different colours of six-stranded embroidery cotton
- Sewing thread to match
- Jeans foot #8
- Size 80 Jeans needle
- Hand sewing needle
- Pins
- Fabric marker
Method:
- Embellish the printed flower panel with hand embroidery using a running stitch approx 5mm long. This can be sewn either on the black print or in between the print directly onto the plain fabric.
- Mark the top edge using a pin or fabric marker (45cm width)
- Place right sides of bag back (bottom edge) and front together and stitch together.
- Press seam allowance towards the back. Top stitch using the edge of your foot as a guide. This gives you one long piece of fabric.
- Fold fabric in half with right sides together matching top of bag front and back.
- Sew side seams together press seam allowance towards the front of the bag.
- Turn bag inside out. Open out the end of the bag so that the seam allowance is positioned in the centre, forming a triangular peak.
- Measure down 9cm from the base point and draw a parallel line across the fabric. This becomes the stitching line to create the gusset.
- Stitch along the drawn line and press towards the base of the bag.
- Do the same to the other side.
- The same directions can be used for putting the lining together.
- Cut webbing in half length wise to give you two handles of equal length. Position handles onto bag approx 7cm in the side seams for both front and back. Stitch into position.
- Turn lining inside out and place the bag inside the lining so that right sides and raw edges of both pieces are together. (Make sure the handles are tucked in)
- Stitch around the top edge leaving a big enough gap for turning through.
- Turn through and press.
- Edgestitch the top edge of the bag, through all layers using a slightly longer straight stitch and then a second row of stitching, the width of the foot away from the first. This will help strengthen the bag.
Product available from Prints Charming
- 100% Linen panels are available for $25.00 plus postage and handling.
- Black webbing is also available for $4.00 per metre plus postage and handling
Prints Charming have a superb range of contemporary handprinted fabrics to choose from plus unique clothing, homewares and accessories. They also run screenprinting and quilting classes for those who would like to create their own. Take a peek at their website or drop by their wonderful shop and be inspired.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Retail Sales - Prints Charming
Website: www.printscharming.com.au
Email: info@printscharming.com.au
Phone: 0402 380 212
2 Young Street, Annandale, N.S.W.
Shop hours: 10am to 2pm Monday to Wednesday and Saturday
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