Thanks for listing my pattern on your Tote Swap thread!
Please be sure to Email
me if you have any questions about the instructions
for this free tote pattern. Enjoy!
Also please visit these pages on my website: NEW - PINK OCTOBER
TOTE KIT
Make your own Pink October Bag from my new KIT!
Choose from 85 Beautiful Cotton Fabrics!
Free Sewing Pattern and Photo
Instructions
for my "Pink October" Basic Tote
Even a very simple pattern with only
three pieces
can be turned into a beautiful tote like this one quick
& easy!
Instructions
for Your "Pink October" Tote Bag
This is a very easy, quick project pattern that turns
out a beautiful totebag you can embellish in hundreds
of ways. Use your imagination to make unique gifts and
to use your scrap fabrics and trims to create a new
bag for every mood!
This pattern is completely free, however if you would
like to make a donation to support the Susan G. Komen
For the Cure® foundation you may do so here. 100%
of your donation will be given through Mama's
Pocketbook Team Page. Thank you for your
kindness!
STEP 1.- GATHER YOUR MATERIALS
& SUPPLIES - Here's what you will need (Click image
to see a larger version)
Fabric & Interfacing - 1/2 yard each of two
coordinating fabrics for body and a piece of fabric
large enough to cut two straps measuring at least
25' x 4'' for straps.
A coordinate large enough to cut two pockets measuring
8" x 9.5", 1 yard fusible interfacing (choose medium
weight or apppropriate weight interfacing depending
on your fabric weight).
Fusible interfacing if you care to use it to give your
bag more shape and sturdiness. Cut two to match body
pieces and fuse to the outer body pieces before beginning
construction.
Notions & Supplies - Scissors for cutting fabric
and for cutting paper, ruler, thread, pins, chalk
to mark seam lines and dots, velcro closure or magnet
closures (optional), brown kraft paper or other paper
to cut pattern pieces from (you can even use a grocery
sack!)
STEP 2.- CREATE THE PATTERN PIECES
- Make tote body pattern from paper: measure and cut
out a 12" tall by 15" wide rectangle and notch a 1
& 1/2" square out of each of the bottom corners
as shown above. Mark the pattern piece as I have in
the photo with dots at the corners where theseam allowances cross. Make sure to lay the
pattern so that the grain of the fabric runs lengthwise.
Mark your pattern with the grainline.
You may use 5/8" seams or if you perfer 1/2
seams that will work too, just be consistent with
all seam allowances.
The Finished Size of your tote if you use
1/2" seams WILL BE: 14" wide b 11"
tall with a 2.5" bottom.
The Finished Size of your tote if you use
5/8" seams WILL BE: 13.75" wide b 10.75"
tall with a 2" bottom.
To make the tote strap pattern piece from paper,
measure and cut out a 25" to 28" long by 4" wide pattern
piece.
To make the pocket pattern piece, measure an 8"
wide by 9.5" tall rectangle. Mark 1.5" foldmark at
top of pocket pattern piece and mark 5/8 inch stitching
lines on all pattern pieces.
If you wish to make lined pockets, cut your two
pocket pieces measuring 8 wide by 8 tall.
STEP 3.- CUT OUT YOUR TOTE &INTERFACINGS
- Cut 2 body pattern pieces from each of two coordinating
fabric pieces. Two for the outer shell and two for
the inner shell (lining). Cut two strap pattern pieces
and two pocket pattern pieces from desired coordinating
fabrics. Cut matching pieces of interfacing for the
outer body pieces if desired.
Cut 2 body pieces and 2 pockets from interfacing.
You may choose to use interfacing on the straps depending
on the weight of your fabric. If the fabric is heavy
enough, it will hold it's shape after the folding
and sewing on the straps is complete without interfacing.
STEP 4.-PREPARE YOUR PIECES -
Fuse interfacing to back side of outer shell body
pieces and pocket pieces with a steam iron according
to fusible interfacing directions.
Mark circles with chalk or a marking pencil on body
pieces at the notched corners and at the top edges
where you want to place the straps
For unlined pockets, turn under 1/4 inch on top
edge of pockets and press, then turn under and additional
1.25" to form pocket facing. Press. turn in on sides
and bottom of pockets 5/8" and press.
To make lined pockets, place pocket pieces with
right sides facing and stitch each of three sides
of the square together. On the 4th side stitch 2 inches
along the sides from each corner, leaving a 4 inch
opening along that side. Reinforce stitching on corners,
turn pocket right side out through the opening left
on one side, push each corner out and press your pocket
to make it a nice flat square. you can choose to handstitch
the opening closed, but I just stitch it down when
I sew the pocket on to the the tote.
STEP 5.- OPTIONS - Before beginning
to sew pieces, if you plan to use velcro or magnetic
closures you will want to sew or attach those to the
lining pieces, being careful to center them and placing
them about 1.5" from top edges. Also if you plan to
add any trim that needs to be sewn to the top edge
so that the edge of the trim is hidden in the seam
allowance you will want to add those embellishments
before sewing the main pieces together.
COPYRIGHT: While
this tote is not difficult to make, I did put a good
deal of time and energy into creating it as a pattern
with the fewest pieces and I tried to write clear, but
complete, simple to follow instructions for constructing
a precision product that can be personalized in infinite
ways. But because it is such a simple design, it would
be silly to claim a restrictive copyright - I think
everyone should enjoy using it.
To
that end my design and instructions are free to use
and share, use in a sewing class, or to create gifts,
or to use for fun swaps, if you are "sew"
inclinded, go for it... make and sell your own designs
with my blessings... there's plenty to go around!
However, please do not reproduce the copyrighted instructions
or images on any electronic media, websites, blogs,
cd's, videos, newsletters or other media. You may link
to these pages as you wish.
Whereever copyright is expressed, here or anywhere,
please respect and support copyright law, as well as
the small arts and crafts profession. To turn my designs
or free patterns into finished products for sale now
your perogotive, however the instructions are copyrighted
and should not be recreated for commercial gain. Mama's
Pocketbook finished designs, one of a kind orginals,
and written instructions are the intellectual property
of Dianne Hadaway. Please contact dianne@mamaspocketbook.com
with any questions or requests.
