|
This tutorial shows how to make a denim tote bag with poppy embroidery. You will learn to sew the bag, add colorful poppy designs with embroidery, and quilt the fabric for extra strength. The result is a useful tote bag that adds a bright touch to everyday errands or trips to the market. Follow the steps to create your own version at home. We used the designs from the Poppy Reverie Set.
The finished size of the bag is about 17"W x 11"H x 5"D.
|
|
You will need:
- embroidery threads, the colors of your choice;
- 1/2 yard of medium weight denim fabric;
- 1/2 yard of cotton fabric for the lining;
- medium-weight cut-away embroidery stabilizer;
- polyester craft felt or low-loft polyester batting.
|
You will also need:
|
- quilter's ruler;
- rotary cutter and/or scissors;
- tailor's chalk pencil and graph pencil;
- iron;
- #12 and #14 universal needles and quilting thread;
- #16 jeans needle and extra strong thread;
- sew-on snap, 1/2" to 3/4";
- embroidery software and printer (optional).
|
Embroidery:
|
Upload the files from the Poppy Reverie Set into your machine and choose threads.
On denim fabric, with the tailor's chalk and ruler, draw a rectangle measuring 9" H x 13"W. Do not cut it out!
Mark the position of the embroidery within this rectangle. If you have a printer and embroidery software, print-outs of the designs can be helpful. If you do not, you can either use the test stitch-outs or cut out rectangles of the same size as the designs and arrange them on the fabric to determine the position of the embroidery.
Stabilize the fabric with medium-weight cut-away stabilizer, hoop it tightly and embroider the designs one by one. |
| Draw another rectangle around the embroidery, this one measuring 20"W x 17"H. Leave a 4 1/2" margin on the upper edge, 3 1/2" margin on the bottom edge and equal side margins. |
| Quilting: |
Now place a piece of craft felt on a flat surface (table). Cover with the embroidered piece.
Pin both layers together.
We quilted in a free-motion style all over the working piece. Start from the center and echo-quilt the embroidery first, then proceed to the margins. |
Press the working piece and trim it to 16"H x 19 1/2"W.
|
| Make the back panel in the same way. If you do not want embroidery on the back panel, just quilt a piece of denim fabric with polyester craft felt and trim to 16"H x 19 1/2" W. |
|
Handles
|
Out of denim fabric, cut:
- 2 strips measuring 4" x 28".
Fold the strips lengthwise in half, wrong side inside, and press.
|
|
Fold the long edges to the creased line in the center and press.
|
|
|
Topstitch along each edge twice with seam allowance 1/4" and 1/8".
|
|
Assembly:
|
On the bottom edge of each panel, cut away the corners, 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".
|
|
With a chalk pencil, draw a line 1 1/2" from the top edge of both panels. Fold the edge back along this line and press with steam. Unfold.
|
|
| With graph pencil, draw 1/2" lines along the side and bottom edges of the panel. This will serve as a guide for your seams. |
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 on both sides of the seam with 1/4" allowance. |
|
Pin one handle to the upper edge of the front panel, equal distance from the side edges.
|
|
| Topstitch the handle to the panel within the folded area, shown in red. |
|
| Attach the handle to the back panel in the same way. |
|
Fold the bag with right sides together, unfold the upper edges and align all edges. Stitch one of the sides, seam allowance 1/2".
|
Unfold and press the seam. Topstitch 1/4" on each side of the seam.
Repeat for the second side.
Fold the upper edge back.
|
|
Fold the bottom of the bag so that the bottom and the side seams align. Pin.
|
|
Stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance, sewing several parallel lines.
|
Fold the upper edge back, handles out, pin. Topstitch along the upper edge and over the handles, seam allowance 1/4".
Do not turn the bag right side out yet.
|
The Lining:
|
Out of the lining fabric, cut:
- 2 panels measuring 19 1/2" W x 15" H,
- 1 piece for a pocket measuring 8 1/2" x 14 1/2".
|
Fold the 8 1/2" x 14 1/2" piece widthwise in half, face inwards. Stitch along 2 sides, seam allowance 1/4". Turn right side out. Press.
Tuck the unfinished raw edge 1/2" inside. Press. Topstitch it closed. |
If you want 2 inner pockets, repeat the process.
|
Fold the long edges of the lining panels 1/2" back and press.
|
|
Pin the pocket/s 2"-2 1/2" from the folded edge and equal distance from the sides. Topstitch in place, as shown in red.
|
|
| Place the lining panels face to face, align all edges. Stitch the bottom, seam allowance 1/2". Press the seam open. |
Unfold the upper edges. Fold the lining widthwise in half. Align the edges. Stitch the sides together, seam allowance slightly less than 1/2". Press the seams open. Fold the upper edges back and press again.
Topstitching the folded edge in place is optional.
|
|
To make box corners, separate the front and back sides at the corners. Center the seam on the side with the bottom seam.
Measure 2" along the seam from the corner.
Draw a line perpendicular to the seam across the corner.
|
|
Stitch along the line. Repeat for the other corner.
|
|
Turn the corners up onto the sides and stitch by hand to the side seams.
|
|
Turn the lining right side out. Insert the bag into the lining. Line up the side seams.
Pin the upper edge of the lining to the bag, overlapping the folded edges by 1/2".
|
|
Either stitch the lining to the bag by hand, or baste it, then topstitch in place.
|
|
| Sew on the snap. |
|
| Have fun! |
|
|
|
Back to Poppy Reverie Set
|
Back to Projects Page
|
Menu
Shopping Cart
Check Out
