Varying shades of denim fabric and bright embroidery transform this tote bag into a stylish must-have. Use it as a farmers market carry-all, grocery tote, and more.
Finished Size: 18" x 20 1/2" x 9"
Supplies & Materials:
Project Materials or Supplies
- 1/2 yard white denim
- 1/2 (total) yard denim (two different colors, 1/4 yard each)
- 1 yard denim for back and handles
- 1 1/4 yards denim for inner lining
- Medium-weight cutaway stabilizer
- Air-erase pen for marking
The designs used in this tutorial include:
Gather Materials:
Draw a 5 1/2" x 17" long rectangle on the denim using an air-erase pen. A template is a printout of a design, and it's an excellent tool for planning where to stitch. Print a template of the design. Center the template inside the shape.
Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together, aligning the marks on the hoop with the marks on the fabric.
Start Embroidering:
Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so that the needle is directly aligned with the center point on the fabric. Embroider the design.
After embroidering, trim away the excess stabilizer away. Cut out the shape. Repeat this process for a total of two embroidered pieces.
Lay the two embroidered pieces on top of one another, right sides together. Measure and mark 4" in along the top edge of the fabric starting at the top right corner. Draw a line from the mark down to the lower right corner as shown.
Sew a seam along this line. Trim the fabric along the seam leaving 1/2" excess (the top right corner will be trimmed away). Press the seam open with an iron.
Cut two pieces of denim to 3" x 15 1/8". Align with the top edges of the embroidered section, right sides together. The bottom ends should extend 1/2" past the center seam of the embroidered section and 2" past the top edge of the embroidered section. Pin in place. Sew a 1/2" seam along the pinned edges only. Press the seams.
Flip the fabric over to the wrong side and align the bottom edges of the denim, right sides together. Lay the end flat to one side and draw a line up from the seam on the embroidered section as shown. Pin the fabric in place and sew a seam along the line you just drew. Trim the excess as you did before and press the seam.
Repeat these steps to add a second row of denim at the same measurements.
Then, add a third row of denim, this time using the measurements of 3" x 13 1/8".
For the final top pieces, cut two pieces of denim to 3" x 7 3/4" -- add them just as you did earlier.
Cut two pieces of denim to 3" x 15 1/4" for the bottom of the bag. Align with the bottom of the embroidered section, right sides together. The bottom edges should extend 2" past the center seam of the embroidered section. Pin in place and sew a seam along the pinned edge only; press the seams. Flip the fabric over to the wrong side. Align the bottom edges together, right sides together, and lay the fabric flat to one side as shown. Draw a line down from the center seam. Pin the fabric in place and sew a seam along the line you just drew, trim the excess, and press the seam. Repeat this process for two more rows:
- Cut the second row to 3" x 15 1/8"
- Cut the third row to 7" x 15 1/8"
To square off the front piece, draw a line along the inner points of the ends of the fabric pieces along the side and top edges.
For the top of the bottom edge, draw a line connecting the bottom of the lines that you drew along the sides. Cut out the shape
Lay the front piece on top of the fabric, right sides together. Pin in place, and sew a 1/2" seam along the side and bottom edges only -- leave the top edge open.
To square off the bottom, align the side seams with the bottom seam and pin in place. Measure and mark 4 1/2" in from the point of the corner. Draw a line at the mark that is perpendicular to the seam. Trim off the corners leaving 1/2" excess. Turn the fabric right side out.
To prepare the shoulder straps, cut two pieces of denim to 4" x 40". Turn the long edges in 1/2" to the wrong side and press.
Fold the fabric with the folded edges together and press. Sew a 1/4" seam along the long side edges.
Pin the handles in place along the top edges of the outer shell 3" in from each top corner.
Cut two pieces of denim to 19" x 26 1/2". Assemble together just as you did for the outer shell (including squaring off the ends). Insert the outer shell into the inner lining -- align the top edges and side seams together. Pin in place and sew a 1/2" seam along the top edge leaving about 5" open between the handles on one side.
Turn the fabric right side out and insert the inner lining inside the outer shell. Press the seam and turn the fabric of the opening in 1/2" and press. Top-stitch a 1/4" seam along the entire top edge of the tote.
This sweet denim bag is a fabulous way to carry your needs in style. Denim fabric and Western wildflowers give it extraspecial charm.
