Knitting Tote Bag
Barb ~ Tostetoes ~ Email Me

Click here to purchase this fabric online from JConklinDesigns!

Finished Size: Approximately 20" x 17"

With pocket on front and back and 2 inside pockets (optional).

Fabric:

Outside Bag Fabric: 1 Yard
Lining Fabric: 1 Yard
Outside Pockets: ½ Yard of 2 Fabrics
(I used the same fabric as the bag for one side of both outside and inside
pockets and a coordinating but different fabric from lining for other side of
pockets. You can use the lining fabric for these, of course ~ anything goes!)
Inside Pockets (optional): ½ Yard of 2 Fabrics

Notions:

Fleece: Two 18" x 21" pieces and Two 13" x 13" pieces
     (Approximately 1 ½ yards depending on width)
     If you prefer a stiffer bag, you can use heavy interfacing.)
4 Yards 1" or 1½" belt webbing for handles and bottom pocket support
Thread to match

Cutting:

  1. Cut two outside bag pieces 18" high x 21" wide (please note if fabric has a specific "Up" direction before cutting)
  2. Cut two outside pocket fronts 13" x 13"
  3. Cut two outside pocket linings 13" x 13"
  4. Cut two bag lining pieces 18" high x 21" wide
  5. Cut two 10" x 12" pieces of fabric for inside pocket fronts.
  6. Cut two 10" x 12" pieces of fabric to line the inside pockets
  7. Cut two fleece pieces 18" x 21"
  8. Cut two fleece pieces 13" x 13" for outside pockets
  9. Cut belt webbing into two 58" pieces for handle and two 13" pieces for
    bottom of outside pockets

Construction:

  1. Place outside pocket fronts on 13" x 13" pieces of fleece (wrong side of fabric against fleece) and then place outside pocket linings right side to right side on top. Stitch across TOP of pocket only.
     
  2. Turn pockets right sides out and press. Top stitch ?" from top "sewn" edge only.
     
  3. Place outside tote bag pieces (18" high by 21" wide) on top of fleece pieces cut to same size (wrong side of fabric against fleece).
     
  4. Place and pin outside pockets on outside bag pieces, centered (equal distance from both sides) and with bottoms of pockets 2½" up from bottoms of bag pieces.
     
  5. Pin 13" pieces of belt webbing over bottom edges of pockets to cover raw edges and stitch in place along both edges of webbing.
     
  6. Pin 36" pieces of belt webbing over side edges of pockets and each piece from bottom of bag up and around and back to other size of pocket at bottom of bag to form handles on each side of bag. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE HANDLES TWISTED! Stitch along both sides of webbing up to 1 ½" from top of bag (you need to leave top of bag free to sew in lining). Sew an "X" at the top sewing line of the handle to reinforce it as shown below.


  1. Place right side of bag fronts right sides together and stitch sides and bottoms together with ½" seams. Belt webbing should match at bottom seam. Carefully press seams open. Do not turn yet.
     
  2. Align side seams with bottom seams, folding at corner. Pin carefully. Measure up 1 ½" from corner along seams and mark with pins or pencil. Stitch across corner as shown in illustration twice to make bag gusset. Trim off 1" of corner if desired. Turn bag right side out.



  1. If you are making inside pockets, sew two fabrics pieces cut 10" x 12" with right sides together along all edged BUT leave a 5" opening in the bottom center. Clip corners and turn. Press. I like to reinforce the top edge with topstitching before sewing it to the. Then, top stitch pockets to bag linings centered across and about 3" down from top edge. Be sure to put the TOP of the pockets towards the TOP of the lining before stitching and don't stitch across the top edge of pocket which you previously top stitched. Also, be sure to back-tack a few times at top corners to reinforce the pockets here where they will take the most stress.
     
  2. AFTER sewing on pockets, stitch the bag lining fabric pieces right sides together with ½" seam. On bottom, leave an 8-inch opening to turn the bag through. Press seams open and make the gusset the same as for the outside bag (see number 8 above). Do NOT turn right sides out.
  3. Place outside bag inside of bag lining - right sides together. This will have the handles in between the lining and bag. Line up side seams and pin top edges together. Sew top edges together with a ½" seam.
     
  4. Turn bag through the opening in the bottom of the lining. Pull the lining away from the bag, pin the opening closed and machine stitch along edge. Push the lining back into the bag.
     
  5. Press and pin the top edge - placing the pins about ¾" down from the top to hold in place. Top stitch the top about ¼" from edge. Enjoy!

 

Designed by Barb ~ www.webdesignsbybarb.com Barb ~ Tostetoes ~ Email Me