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This large, fashionable tote features the Look design for a mega hoop (6" x 10").
The finished size of the tote is 17" wide x 15" high x 5" deep. It has 3 handles - 2 short handles and one shoulder strap.
You will need 3/4 yard of black cotton canvas and 3/4 yard of light-weight cotton fabric for the lining.
You will also need ten 3/4" grommets, 6 rings and 2 swivel clasps. We also used ready-made chain handles. You can either sew the short handles or use the chain one, available in craft stores.
For embroidery you will need medium-weight cut-away stabilizer and embroidery threads
Out of black canvas, cut 2 squares measuring 20" x 20".
Out of black fabric for the lining, cut 2 squares slightly larger - 21" x 21".
For the pocket, out of the lining fabric cut a rectangle measuring 11" x 15".
For the handles, out of canvas, cut a strip measuring 3" x 36" (shoulder strap) and 2 strips measuring 3" x 24" (handles).
Stabilize one of the canvas squares and embroider the Look design in the center of the square.
Cut away the excess stabilizer.
Quilting:
Now place the lining squares on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover one piece with the embroidered square and the second piece with the canvas square without embroidery. Spread your working piece over it.
Pin both layers together with 1" pins. We quilted around the embroidery and all over the squares in a free-motion style. We wrote the name of the design "look" in gold and silver threads. Remove the pins while quilting.Note: We quilted without batting - the canvas is heavy enough for this.
When you are finished, press with heavy steam and trim the squares to 19" x 19".
Pocket:
Fold the 9" x 15" rectangle widthwise, face inwards. Sew along both side edges with seam allowance 1/4". Turn right side out. Press. Tuck in the unfinished upper edge, 1/2" inside. Press. Top stitch 1/4" from the edge.
Position the pocket in the center of the back panel (the square without embroidery) on the lining side. Pin in place. Topstitch along the side and bottom edges.
On your ironing table, fold the upper edges of the squares 1" back and press. Fold 1" again and press very firmly. Unfold.
Position the panels face to face, aligning all edges. Pin. Sew the sides and the bottom together. Make 2 stitch lines - 1/4" and 1/2" from the edges. Finish the raw edges with zig-zag stitch.
Make box corners at the bottom of the bag. For this, separate the front and back sides at the corners. Center the side seam with the center of the bottom. Measure 2" along the seam from the corner and draw a line perpendicular to the seam across the corner.
Topstitch along the line.
Do not trim the seam. Fold it onto the side and attach with several manual stitches. Repeat for the second corner. Turn the tote right side out.
Fold the upper edge of the tote along the crease lines. Top-stitch in place along the folded edge.
Insert 5 grommets along the folded edges of the tote.
Handles:
Fold all the canvas strips in half lengthwise and press firmly to mark the center. Unfold. Fold the edges to the central line. Press. Fold again. Top-stitch along both long edges, 1/8" from each edge.
Put the swivel clasps on the ends of the long strap. Fold the ends about 2" to the wrong side and topstitch the ends to the strap.
In the same way, attach the rings to the ends of the shorter straps.
Insert the rings through the grommets. Attach the handles to the rings.
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