| This charming tote is elegant enough for formal occasions, and at the
same time roomy enough to suit all your needs. The designs used on the
front and back of the tote are appliques from the Autumn
Leaves Applique and Cutwork Set. |
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For the outer bag we used 1/2 yard of Osnaburg fabric and 1 yard of
brown batik. You will also need:
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pieces of yellow, red, light brown fabrics for applique,
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Pellon Peltex 71 (or similar) interfacing, and
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low-loft polyester batting.
For embroidery, we used embroidery polyester threads, and light-weight
cut-away stabilizer.
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Template for the bottom:
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On a piece of paper draw a rectangle measuring 4" x 13".
Measure 1" from each corner along each side, and place a mark.
Using a ruler, connect the marks with straight lines. Then draw curves
over the corners. Cut out the template. |
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Cutting:
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Out of Osnaburg fabric, cut a rectangle measuring 13" x 32".
Out of the brown fabric, cut
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a rectangle measuring 13" x 32" (for the lining),
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2 rectangles measuring 5" x 14" (for the bottom),
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a rectangle measuring 7" x 15" (for the pocket),
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2 strips measuring 2" x 17" (for the ties),
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a strip measuring 1" x 12" (for
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a strip measuring 3" x 33" (for the binding of the upper edge),
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2 strips measuring 3" and the length of the width of the fabric, about
40"-44" each (for the handles),
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bias strip measuring 1 1/2" x 33" (for finishing the bottom of the bag)
Out of Pellon Peltex 71, or similar interfacing, cut a strip measuring
1" x 60". |
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Embroidery:
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| Stabilize the Osnaburg rectangle with light-weight cut-away stabilizer
and make the applique embroidery from the Autumn
Leaves Applique and Cutwork Set. Embroider as many leaves as you like. |
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Quilting:
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| Place the backing/lining on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover
with batting. Spread the embroidered piece over it.
Pin all three layers together with 1" pins and start quilting. We quilted
around the embroidery and made stippling all over the piece, using variegated
cotton Sulky thread for machine quilting.
After the quilting is finished, press the work with heavy steam and
trim the work - the short sides should be 12" long and the long sides should
be 31" long, all corners should be 90 degrees. |
| Take the brown rectangles measuring 5" x 14". Place them back to back.
Inserta piece of batting between them. Quilt the sandwich as you like.
Press with heavy steam. |
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Making the Pocket:
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Take the brown strip measuring 7" x 15".
Fold one of the short edges 1/4" back. Press. Finish the edge with
zig-zag stitch. |
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| Fold the finished edge 5" onto the rest of the strip. Press. Finish
the side edges with zig-zag. Press. |
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Making the Handle:
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Take the 3" x 40"-44" strips and sew them into one long strip.
Fold the strip lengthwise, face inside. Machine-stitch 1/4" from the
raw edge to make a long tube.
Turn the tube right side out. |
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Put one end of the PellonPeltex 1" x 60" strip on a safety pin and
insert it into the tube. Make pleats/ruffles closer to the middle of the
handle.
With safety pins fasten the ends of the Peltex strip to the ends of
the fabric tube. |
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Making the ties:
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| Fold the 2" x 17" brown strips in half lengthwise, face inwards.
Topstitch 1/4" from the raw edge.
Turn the right side out. Press. Finish one of the ends, the second end
may remain open. |
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Making the Bottom:
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| Take the quilted 5" x 14" rectangle. Position the template of the bottom
over it. Trace the outline with fabric marker or chalk. Cut out the bottom. |
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Sewing the Bag:
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| Fold the working piece in a tube, align the edges of the short sides
butt to butt. With wide and sparse zig-zag stitch the edges together.
You'll get a tube. |
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| Take the strip measuring 1" x 12", turn the edges 1/4" inside
and press. Cover the zig-zag stitch from the inside of the bag with the
strip. Topstitch it in place 1/8"-1/16" from the edges. |
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Fold the tube so that the seam looks at you.
Position the pocket in the middle, align its upper edge with the upper
edge of the bag. Position one tie over the pocket on the equal distance
from each side. Pin in place.
Position the second tie in the same manner on the other side of the
tube. Pin. |
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Fold the 3" x 33" strip in half legthwise to get the binding.
Pin the binding along the upper edge of the tube. |
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Machine-stritch along the upper edge, with seam allowance slightly
larger than 1/4".
Press. Fold the binding over the right side of the bag. Topstitch in
place. |
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| Turn the bag right side out. Position one end of the handle over the
zig-zag stitch. Pin in place. Please note that there are no pleats on this
part of the handle. |
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| Carefully turn the bag right side inside and topstitch the handle in
place. We first stitched along the edges, then quilted the handle in place
in a free motion style. |
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In the same manner pin the second half of the handle to the opposite
side of the tote.
Check that the handle is the right length for you. If you'd like the
handle shorter, pull the end of the interfacing, and cut it away to the
needed length.
Please note that all pleats should be in the middle part of the handle.
Topstitch the second end of the handle in place. |
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Pin the bottom to the lower part of the bag.
Topstitch 1/4" from the edge. |
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| Finish the seam with the 1 1/2" x 33" bias strip. |
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| Tie the ties. |
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The bag is ready. Enjoy!
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Happy Stitching!
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Back to Autumn
Leaves Applique and Cutwork Set
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