| The idea of removing disposable plastic bags from our supermarkets
and exchanging them for reusable canvas bags is becoming more popular every
day. Plastic is not normally found in nature, and when plastic bags are
thrown away, they stay around for thousands of year, cluttering up the
natural environment and presenting a hazard to animals. Not to mention
that plastic bags just look ugly.
It will take you about half an hour to make a plain canvas tote. An
easy way to add a little spice is by using machine embroidery. By the time
you're done, you'll have a one of a kind and very special bag for your
groceries. It's easy to make different totes of varying sizes to give to
your family and friends.
For our totes, we used the Cherry
Cutwork Appliqué Lace and Fruit
Appliqué Set
designs. |
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| The finished size of the tote on the left is 15" long x 16" high x
7" wide. The finished size of the tote on the right is 13" long x 15" high
x 5" wide.We describe how to make both of them in this project.
You will need canvas or duckcloth for the totes, webbing (about 3 yards
per tote), rick rack of different colors and widths and scraps of cotton
fabrics for applique. |
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Tote with Fruit
Appliqué Set
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Step One:
Out of canvas cut 2 rectangles measuring 23" x 21".
Cut the webbing into 2 pieces 23" long, and 2 pieces 34" long. The
latter pieces are for the handles, so you can adjust their length to fit
your needs. |
Step Two:
Place both canvas pieces wrong side to wrong side and cut 3 1/2"
x 3 1/2" squares out of the left and right bottom corners. |
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Step Three:
Finish all the raw edges of each piece with a zig-zag stitch.
Fold the upper edges of both pieces 1" to the right side and press
with a hot iron. |
Step Four:
Using a fabric marker or a graphic pencil draw the following grid on
the front piece: |
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| In the grid cells embroider the fruit appliqué from the Fruit
Appliqué Set. We used designs for a 4" x 4" hoop. |
Step Five:
After the embroidery is finished, press with steam. Attach pieces of
rick rack over the drawn grid lines. We used the very fine "baby" rick
rack. |
Step Six:
Place both panels of the tote right side up. Place 23" pieces of the
webbing along the upper edges and pin in place. Tuck the ends of
the handles under the webbing, 8" from each side.
Stitch the webbing to the panels, attaching the handles. |
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Step Seven:
Place both panels of the bag right side to right side. Stitch the pieces
together along the bottom edge, leave 1/2" of seam allowance. Press the
seam open and topstitch 1/4" on each side of the seam. |
Step Eight:
Put the right sides together again and stitch the pieces along the
two side edges, leaving 1/2" seam allowance. Press the seams open and topstitch
1/4" on each side of the seam. |
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Step Nine:
Now pinch each corner so that the end of the side seam matches the
end of the bottom seam (see the diagram below; the ends of the side seams
and the ends of the bottom seams are marked in red). Pin. Stitch through
all the layers across the bottoms of the corners (see the last picture
in the diagram below). This will square the bottom of the bag. Now you
can turn the bag right side out. |
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| Turn the working piece right side out. The first tote is ready. |
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Tote with Cherry
Cutwork Appliqué Lace
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Step One:
Out of canvas, cut 2 squares measuring 19" x 19".
Cut the webbing into 2 pieces 19" long, and 2 pieces 34" long. The
latter pieces are for the handles, so you can adjust their length to fit
your needs. |
Step Two:
Place both canvas pieces wrong side to wrong side, and cut 3" x 3"
squares out of the left and right bottom corners. |
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Step Three:
Finish all raw edges of each piece with a zig-zag stitch. |
Step Four:
Embroider the the Cherry
Cutwork Appliqué Lace design in the center of the front panel.
We did only appliqué, and did not do the cutwork. |
Step Five:
Place both panels of the tote right side up. Place 19" pieces of the
webbing along the upper edges and pin in place. Tuck the handles
under the webbing, 7" from each side.
Stitch the webbing to the panels to attach the handles. |
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| Follow Steps 6-9 of the first tote to assemble. |
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Your totes are ready. Enjoy!
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| We hope that you liked our idea and will come up with many of
your own. |
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