Tutorial Tuesday - Tu-tu Cute Tote

We can't wait for dance class at our house. 

My girl LOVES to dance,

and this adorable bag will be perfect for her slippers and accessories.

What you'll need:

- Sewing Machine

- Cotton canvas fabric. 

(I got this print at Hobby Lobby. 40% off coupon this week you can print online.)

- Tulle

-Measuring Tape

- Iron

- Scissors

- Pins

- Ribbon

First things first. I cut 2 separate pieces. Unless you have to I don't recommend this for an embellished bag. If you can cut one piece that is 15 and 1/2 x 18. Then you will sew your tulle and ribbon all across that piece. When you get to the stitching all around the bag you follow the same instructions as follows below. 

Now for all of you crazy people like me who cut two pieces or only have 2 pieces with not enough length in one stretch of fabric here we go...

I cut 2 pieces of my fabric both 15 1/2 X 9 inches

I cut 2 9 inch strips of ribbon, and 8 - 22 x 6 inch strips of tulle. 

First I pleated the tulle on the fabric where I wanted it to fall on the bag. 

Next I stitched it into place with a single stitch and added the ribbon over it..

I repeated those steps on both the front and back pieces of the bag. 

Then it was time to hem the top of the bag. 

The first fold you will do at the top is 1/2 inch. Iron into place

The second fold will be 1 inch. Iron into place. No need to sew just yet.

 I then pinned the 2 pieces of the bag (wrong(not the design but the white) sides facing) to one another and stitched a 1/4 in straight stitch around all 3 sides.

Right now it looks like a very unprofessional bag with rough edges. 

Flip it inside out. and sew a triple stitch at 1/2 inch from the edge all the way around the 3 sides. 

This is a seam technique that will eat the fraying edges for you so you avoid all of the folding and ironing and pinning etc. 

My bag is shiny on the inside because I made it vinyl on the inside, but I'll save that for another time. 

Now you'll make the base of your tote. Pull the sides apart making your tote folded down the middles and make a triangle out of one bottom corner:

It is so important to make sure that stitched edge stays facing the same way when you stitch both sides. 

Now measure down 2 inches from the point, draw a line, and triple stitch across it. 

Repeat on other corner. 

Time for the straps. 

Measure and cut 2 - 5X19 inch strips of your fabric. 

Fold one strip in half making it 2.5 x 19, iron the crease, and then open up and fold your edges into that crease:

Fold in half and stitch up both sides the same width from the edge on both sides with a single stitch.

Attach your straps by placing the end UNDER the hem at the top of the bag while tote is still inside out and pin into place. Once all are in place evenly on both sides of the tote, single stitch all the way around the BOTTOM of your hem. 

See what I mean by the bottom of the hem?

Take the loop you just made and flip it up. Pin into place. Repeat on other side. Then with the tote still inside out, single stitch around the TOP of the hem. 

Flip the bag inside out and USE! 

We made ours vinyl because we will be using it as our Sunday School bag to carry our milk cup, paci, etc. until we turn 2 and head off to ballet class! Then it will hold our slippers and bobby pins, etc! 

Happy Tote making

Courtney

P.S. GIVEAWAY instruction:
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