627handworks

We’ve going to the pool a lot and I wanted to make a bag that I could throw a few towels and bottles of lotion into.    I ended up combining some tutorials I saw online and made this reversible tote.  It’s perfect for rolling up 2 towels, sunscreen and a book.

I added slip pockets, a zipper and a few fobs to clip keys or whatever onto.   It actually looks ok with the pocket area on the inside or outside.

Since I was too impatient to wait for a decor weight fabric (which is what I think most traditional totes are made of), I decided to use 4 fat quarters I had purchased from Sew Lux. Once I knew I would be using regular fabric, that’s when I decided to make it reversible.  Then I wouldn’t have to worry about interfacing and it would be lined in fun fabric.

Besides the 4 fat quarters I used a scrap of white material and a zipper I had.  I didn’t use any interfacing and it turned into a nice light-weight bag.

This is actually the first bag I’ve attempted to make – now that I have more knowledge of how they are put together I’m not so scared!

Front

Back

Side
I made mine mix-matchy but this would look great to keep the same color panels on the outside, and the matching panels on the reverse as well.

Interior

Reversed
See.  I don’t even think it looks that bad with the pockets/zipper on the outside.  Next time I may try heavier weight fabric and make the slip pockets on the outside all the way down to the bottom seam. Maybe.

The fabric is from the Sugar Pop collection by Liz Scott for Moda:

• Mod Flowers Cream Aqua
• Mod Trees Chartreuse
• Summer Flowers Chartreuse Aqua
• Andrea Floral Chartreuse

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS:

BAG:

1. Cut the fabric squares roughly 18×18 leaving about a 4″ piece the width of the fabric.
2. Put the four 4″ pieces aside for straps
3. I cut my 18×18″ panels in half and sewed them back together.  You could also leave them whole.
4. Sew the liner together on 3 sides (right side facing)
5. Sew the exterior together on 3 sides (right side facing)
6. Box your corners
7. If you want – Add your pockets/zippers to the lining at this time
8. Place your exterior inside your interior – RIGHT SIDES FACING (so it’s inside out)
9. Pin in your straps  between the two layers a few inches from the seams (just shove the extra down in there so you don’t sew over them)
10. ALL RAW EDGES SHOULD BE TOGETHER
11. Sew 1/2″ allowance all the way around leaving a 4″ opening for turning
12. Turn, iron or pin the hole, and top stitch 1/4″ all the way around

STRAPS

1. Take 2 of your 4″ pieces and sew together so you have a long strap.
2. Fold in half lengthwise and iron all the way down
3. Open and fold in the sides and iron all the way down -then fold together.
4. Should be about 1″ wide.  Topstitch 1/8″ all the way down both sides
5. Mine are about 30″ long – the extra’s I cut I added the little keyfob tabs

Thursday, June 9th, 2011, 1:22 pm   |   Sewing & Fabric  |  RSS feed |  Respond  |  Trackback