Quilted tote bag with cross-stitch embroidery on the front and back panels

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Quilted Tote Bag with Folk Flower Block Embroidery

This tutorial shows you how to make a sturdy tote bag with four embroidered folk flower blocks. You will learn to embroider the designs, quilt the panels, and sew the bag together. The finished tote is useful for everyday carry and features a classic black-and-white folk art look.

The tote bag is made of black and white fabrics and features embroidery on the front and back panels. We used the designs from the Folk Flower Blocks Set.

The finished size of the bag is about 14"W x 12 1/2"H x 4"D.

You can purchase this tote bag from our Etsy store!

Quilted tote bag in black and white colors with cross-stitch embroidery.

You will need:

embroidery threads, black and white;
about a yard of black fabric, used both for the outer bag and the lining;
about 1/2 yard fabric for the embroidery;
light-weight cut-away stabilizer;
low-loft polyester batting.

You will also need:

quilter's ruler;
rotary cutter and/or scissors;
tailor's white chalk pencil;
iron;
#12-14 universal needle, and extra strong sewing thread;
#12-14 quilting needle and quilting threads of color matching the fabric;
about 1 1/2 yards of black 1" wide webbing for handles;
a sew-on snap, 1/2"- 1" large.

Embroidery:

For the bag, you will need 8 stitch-outs. There are 6 designs in the Folk Flower Blocks Set , so you'll have to embroider 2 of the designs twice. If you embroider the same design once on white fabric and then on black fabric, they will look different.

Prepare your threads. Upload the files to your machine and embroider them one by one: 4 on white fabric with black thread and 4 on black fabric with white thread. Stabilize the fabric with light-weight cut-away stabilizer and hoop tightly.

Lay out the stitch-outs on your work table: 4 per panel, with 2 white and 2 black in each panel.

Trim the stitch-outs, leaving a 1/2" seam allowance on the inner sides and a 1" seam allowance on the outer sides.
The finished size of each block will be 6" square.

4 stitch-outs 2 on white fabric with black thread and 2 on black fabric with white thread.

Cutting:

From the black fabric, cut:

4 strips measuring 3/4" x 6" each,
4 strips measuring 3/4" x 6 1/2" each,
4 strips measuring 3 1/2" x 12 1/2" each,
4 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 16 1/2" each,
1 piece measuring 12 1/2" x 10" (for the inner pocket).

From the white fabric, cut:

4 strips measuring 3/4" x 6" each,
4 strips measuring 3/4" x 6 1/2" each,
2 strips measuring 6" x 16 1/2" each.

Use the remaining black fabric for the lining.

The Panels:

Note: seam allowance is 1/4" unless otherwise recommended. Press every seam immediately after you make it.

Sew black 3/4" x 6" strips to the inner left edge of the white square in the first row and inner right edge of the white square in the second row.
Sew white 3/4" x 6" to the right edge of the black square in the first row and inner left edge of the black square in the second row.

Four embroidered blocks arranged in a 2x2 grid with contrasting vertical strips on inner edges.

Sew a white 3/4" x 6 1/2" strip to the lower edge of the black square in the first row, and a white 3/4" x 6 1/2" strip to the upper edge of the black square in the second row.
Sew a black 3/4" x 6 1/2" strip to the lower edge of the white square in the first row, and a black 3/4" x 6 1/2" strip to the upper edge of the white square in the second row.

Four blocks with both vertical and horizontal contrasting strips attached to inner edges.

Sew the blocks into rows. The first, upper, row:

Upper row assembled: black and white blocks sewn together with sashing strips.

The second, lower, row:

Lower row assembled: white and black blocks sewn together with sashing strips.

Sew the rows together. Repeat for the back panel.

Complete 2x2 panel with both rows sewn together.

Sew the 3 1/2" x 12 1/2" black strips to the left and right edges of both panels.

Panel with black border strips added to left and right edges.

Sew the 2 1/2" x 16 1/2" black strips to the upper and lower edges of both panels.

Completed panel with black border strips on all four edges.

Quilting:

Prepare 2 "sandwiches": place the lining/backing pieces on a flat surface face down. Cover with batting. Spread both panels over them.
Pin all layers together.

We quilted in a ditch around the embroidery and in parallel lines over borders. Change the threads to match the colors of the fabrics.

After quilting is done, press with heavy steam and trim both panels to 15"W x 16 1/2"H.
Finish the side and bottom raw edges with zig-zag stitch or on a serger/overlock.

Inner Pocket(s)

Fold the 10" x 12 1/2" black piece of fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch the sides, seam allowance 1/4". Trim the corners. Turn right side out and press.

Fold the finished short edge of the piece 4" over and pin. Stitch in place.
Pin the unfinished side of the pocket to the back panel's wrong side, centered between the side edges. Stitch in place along the upper edge, seam allowance scant 1/4".

Pin the pocket on the back panel's wrong side, positioned on the black strip, centered between the side edges. Stitch in place, seam allowance scant 1/4".

Assembly:

On the lower edge of both panels, cut out 2" x 2" squares at the corners.

2" x 2" squares cut away at the bottom of each panel.

Position the panels face to face, align all edges. Pin the bottom. Stitch together with seam allowance 1/2".
Open and press the seam.

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

With a chalk pencil and a ruler, measure 1" from the upper edges of each panel and draw a line. Fold back the upper edge by the line and press with heavy steam.

Fold and press the upper edges of the panels 1" back.

Cut the webbing into 2 pieces, 26" long each, or choose your own handle length.
Pin one handle to the upper edge of the front panel and one to the back panel, centered between the side edges.

Pin the ends of the handles to the upper edge of the panel on equal distance from the sides.

Topstitch the handles to the panel, within the 1" pressed margin.

Fold the working piece, face inside, align the sides. Working with one side at a time, stitch with seam allowance 1/2". Open and press the seam. Topstitch 1/4" on both sides of the seam.

Repeat for the other side.

To shape the bottom, fold the bottom of the bag so that the bottom and the side seams align. Pin.
Stitch. Seam allowance 1/2". Stitch several parallel lines.
Finish the raw edge with zig-zag or overlock.

Fold the upper edge of the bag by the pressed line back.

Tuck in the unfinished edge of the pocket under the folded edge between the handles. Pin.

Topstitch along the folded edge with several parallel lines - 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" to attach the pocket and the folded edge in place.