LARGE
TOTES |
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| The text files
provided with your designs will give you a list of supplies you'll need to
make the tote bags. A separate PDF file with illustrations & instructions for making the actual tote bag is also provided with your order. |
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| 1. Make the front pocket first. Center fabric & batting in your hoop. | 2. Flip hoop to back side center a piece of tear away stabilizer 6" x 6" over the batting. Tape it in place, put hoop on machine. |
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| 3. Stitch the design on the front following the instructions for the design you are making. (Note: A basting stitch will stitch around design) | 4. When finished, steam iron with a press cloth over the design. Trim the pocket to size using the basting stitch as a guide. The text files will tell you how much fabric to trim from the top/bottom & sides. After the pocket is cut to size, remove the basting stitches & press. |
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| 5. Pin lining to pocket (right sides facing) and stitch down the long sides with a 1/2" seam allowance. | 6. Trim the batting from seam allowances. Turn right side out & press, keep the seam even at the bottom but let the front edge roll to the back towards the lining at the top of the pocket. |
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| 7. Top stitch along the top and bottom of pocket. Measure in 5" from each side and mark with wipe away chalk. Set aside. | 8.
Iron or sew a 2" strip of velcro at the top centered right under the
top stitching. (use the loop/scratchy side of the
velcro on the pocket) DO NOT USE STICKY BACK VELCRO! |
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| 9. Now,
let's make the tab closure! (instructions are for the turned and top
stitched closures) Please see the Bible Totes HOW TO page for the
satin edge closures. Hoop cutaway stabilizer in your
hoop. The first color sews an outline on the vilene only. (no fabric yet) |
10. Remove
hoop, center fabric/batting inside outline. Tape in place. (This picture does not show the batting - my mistake!) |
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| 11. The next step tacks the fabric/batting down. | 12. Stitch the rest of the design following the instructional text file provided with your designs. |
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| 13.
Note: If your fabric is thin, iron interfacing to the wrong side of
the fabric. Iron or sew the soft fuzzy half of the velcro to the 2nd
piece of fabric centered and 1" up from the bottom. DO NOT USE STICKY BACK VELCRO!! |
14. Remove hoop, place the prepared fabric centered inside outline (right sides of fabric facing). Make sure the velcro is positioned at the bottom! Tape in place & put hoop on machine. |
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| 15. The next color in design tack the lining fabric down. | 16. Remove hoop and trim across the top straight edge close to the stitches. Trim the 3 remaining sides with pinking shears & turn right side out. Top stitch the finished edges on your sewing machine. |
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| 17. Refer to the PDF file provided with your set for instructions on how to cut and prepare the fabric for the tote bag and lining. Pin pocket to front of tote bag and stitch in place along sides & bottom. Stitch down each chalk mark to create three pockets on front of bag. | 18. Pin the first shoulder strap to front of the tote bag and stitch in place with 1/4" seam. (refer to PDF file for placement instructions) |
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| 19. Pin the 2nd
shoulder strap to back of tote bag. Pin tab closure centered (right
sides of tab and tote facing each other) at top & stitch the strap and
tab closure in place with 1/4" seam. 20. Pin the long sides of tote bag together (right sides facing) and stitch down each side until you get to the cut outs at the bottom. Do not stitch the cut outs! Repeat step on fabric for lining but leave an 8" opening on one side to turn bag right side out later. |
21. This is a picture of the cut outs on each side at the bottom of the tote bag. Separate the cut outs by pulling on the inside corners until it creates a flat edge. (see next step) |
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| 21. This is how the cut out looks after the inside corners have been pulled out to form a straight edge. | 22. Pin each end of tote bag stitch across the ends with a 1/2" seam allowance. (keep side seam centered) Repeat steps on lining fabric. |
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| 23. The tote bag should still be wrong out. Turn lining fabric right side out and place inside tote bag. (right sides of both fabrics should face each other) Line up side seams & pin together around top of bag. The straps & tab closure should be pointing down inside the bag. | 24. This just shows how the lining is pinned evenly with the top of the tote bag. Stitch bag and lining together around the top with a 1/2 seam allowance. |
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| 25. Reach inside the opening in the lining and pull the tote bag completely through. | 26. Slip 1/4" craft foam board inside the opening and push to bottom of bag to create the nice rigid flat bottom. Stitch the opening in the lining closed. |
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| 27. Push the lining down inside the tote bag. The lining was cut shorter than the bag which allows about 1" of the outer tote bag fabric to turn down inside the tote bag. Pin the top edge in place keeping the tab and straps upright as shown in the picture. | 28. Top stitch around the top of the tote bag twice. As you top stitch you will automatically stitch across the tab closure and straps to add more strength. |
 Here's your finished tote bag! |
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| Note: The lining on the new smaller purse totes is NOT turned inside as is done on the larger totes. A placement line is stitched across the purse tote 1/2" down from the top on both sides. After the lining and tote bag are constructed, just slide the lining (lining should be inside out - pockets to the inside) down inside the tote bag (right side out). Then line up the top edge of the lining with the 1/2" stitched placement line and pin the lining in place around the top of the purse tote keeping the tab closure and straps upright and out of the line of stitching. Top stitch around the top of the lining (stitching through the entire bag) to secure the lining. As always, A PDF file with illustrations & instructions for constructing the smaller purse totes are included with your order. | |