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Celtic Tote Bag with Applique Embroidery

For this eye-catching Celtic-themed tote bag, we used the design Celtic Applique Motif for the commercial size hoop (8" x 12").

The finished size of the bag is about 15" (wide) x 15" (high) x 4" (deep).

We made the bag red and black, but you can use any color combination. Green and brown or gold and green would work great!

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 1

You will need :

  • embroidery threads (either polyester or rayon) according to your color choice,
  • light-weight iron-on cut-away stabilizer,
  • iron-on sewing interfacing,
  • 1 yard of black cotton fabric,
  • 1/2 yard of patterned red-and-black fabric,
  • 1 fat quater of solid red fabric for the applique,
  • batting,
  • #14 quilting needle,
  • #12 and #14 sewing needle,
  • quilting threads of matching colors,
  • sewing threads (regular and heavy duty) of matching colors,
  • magnetic clasp snap for bags,
  • rotary cutter,
  • quilter's ruler,
  • scissors,
  • sewing interfacing,
  • a chalk pencil,
  • iron

Embroidery:

Cut 2 pieces of black fabric large enough to be hooped, but not less than 22"-23" long. Stabilize them with light-weight iron-on cut-away stabilizer. Working with each piece at a time, hoop it tightly.

Upload the embroidery file of the Celtic Applique Motif into the machine and embroider it on each of the pieces.

Trim each stitch-out along the wider side of the embroidery, leaving 1/2" margins.

Place the stitch-outs face to face, try to align the applique outlines as precise as possible. Stitch along the trimmed side with seam allowance 1/4". Press the seam open.

Trim the piece to 12 1/2" wide and 20 1/2" long.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 2

The Front Panel:

Out of the patterned fabric, cut 2 strips measuring 6" x 20 1/2".

Sew them to the left and right sides of the embroidered panel. Seam allowance is 1/4".

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 3

The Back Panel:

Out of the black fabric, cut 3 strips measuring 3 1/2" x 20 1/2".

Out of the patterned fabric, cut

  • 2 strips measuring 6" x 20 1/2" and
  • 2 strips measuring 2" x 20 1/2".
Sew them in the following order: wide patterned strip - black strip - narrow patterned strip - black strip - narrow patterned strip - black strip - wide patterned strip. Seam allowance 1/4".

Celtic Applique Tote

Quilting:

Out of batting and black fabric, cut 2 pieces each measuring about 22" x 25".

Make 2 "sandwiches" with the two bag panels: backing - batting - bag panel. Pin all layers together with 1" pins and quilt in a free motion style.

After the quilting is finished, press the work with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length.

Check and trim, if needed, to make the panels of the same size.

In the lower corners of both panels draw 2 1/2" squares and cut them out.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 4

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 5

Zig-zag or serge the raw edges of the panels to finish them.

Pocket:

Out of black fabric, cut a piece measuring 12 1/2" x 11 1/2". Fold it right side inwards, widthwise. Align the edges and stitch the short sides together.
Turn right side out. Press.

Fold the open side 1/2" inside, press. Topstitch to close.

Position on the wrong side of the back panel about 6 1/2" from the upper edge and equal distance from the side edges. Pin.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 6

Topstitch along 3 sides of the pocket, 1/8" - 1/4" from the edge.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 7

With the chalk pencil and the ruler, draw a vertical line to divide the pocket into 2 compartments.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 8

Topstitch along the line.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 9

Handles:

Out of black fabric, cut 2 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 30".

Out of interfacing, cut 2 strips measuring 1" x 30"

Out of patterned fabric, cut 2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 30".

Position the interfacing strips with adhesive side down, along the central line of the black strips. Press to adhere to the fabric.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 10

Fold the long sides onto the stabilizer. Press.

Fold the long edges of the patterned strips to the central line. Press.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 11

Position the strips in pairs, with wrong sides together. Please note that red strips are narrower than the black ones, so you'll have black margins around the red strips. Pin. Topstitch along the edges.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 12

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 13

Finish the short edges with zig-zag or a serger.

Assembly of the Bag:

Position the panels face to face, align all edges. Sew along the bottom edge, seam allowance 1/2".

Open and press the seam. Topstitch 1/4" on both sides of the seam.

Fold the upper edges of both panels 2" backand press them firmly.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 14

Unfold the edges. Fold the bag with right side inwards. Align the side edges. Pin.
First stitch one side, seam allowance 1/2". Open the seam and press.
Repeat for the other side.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 15

To shape the bottom, pinch the corners as shown in the diagram below. Align the bottom and the side seams. Pin. Stitch them closed.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 16

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 17

Pin the handles to the upper edges of the panels 6 1/2" from the side seams.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 18

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 19

Topstitch 1/4" from the edges and 2" from the edges.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 20

Attach the magnetic snap between the handles. The female part should attach to the front panel and the male part to the back panel.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 21

Fold the upper edges back and topstitch 1/4" from the folded edge.

Your tote bag is done.

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 22

Enjoy!

Quilted Tote Bag with Celtic Motif Applique image 23

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