To begin, we will prepare the fabric for the front center panels of the outer shell. Using an air-erase pen (or other marking tool), draw an 8 inch by 8 inch square on the denim fabric - leave a few inches of excess fabric around the shape. Then, mark the center of each side of the square by measuring and dividing by two. Draw lines to connect the marks - where the lines meet is the center of the shape.

Create a paper template of the design by printing it at full size using embroidery software. If you don't have embroidery software, you can cut a piece of paper the shape and dimensions of the design to help with placement and centering. Poke a hole in the center of the template and align it with the center point on the fabric. Make sure the design fits well within the shape - there should be at least 1 1/2 inches of space between the outer edges of the design and the edges of the shape.

Spray a piece of medium-weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth the fabric on top. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric. Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so that the needle is directly over the center point on the fabric and embroider the design.

When the design has finished, cut out the shape. We did not trim off the stabilizer on the back of the embroidery -- this will make the fabric more rigid and will help the tote to keep its shape.

Repeat the fabric marking, hooping, and embroidering process for a total of three squares.

Lay the middle square flat with the right side facing up. Align the top square with the middle square, right sides facing and pin along the top edge. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the top pinned edge only.

Press the back seam open with an iron.

Lay the assembled top and middle squares flat with the right sides facing up. Align the bottom square on top of the middle square and pin along the bottom edge. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the bottom pinned edge only. Then, press the back seam open.

Top stitch a 1/4 inch seam along each side of the seams between the three squares.

To prepare the fabric for the front side pieces of the outer shell, cut two pieces of the quilted cotton fabric 5 inches wide by 22 1/2 inches high. Align the side pieces along the right and left sides of the assembled center panel, right sides together, and pin in place. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the side edges only. Press the back seams open and then top stitch a 1/4 inch seam along the inner edge of the side seams. 

To prepare the fabric for the back of the outer shell, cut a piece of denim 16 inches wide by 22 1/2 inches high. Align the front outer shell piece on top of the back outer shell fabric, right sides facing, and pin in place. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the side and bottom edges - leave the top edge open.

Clip the bottom corners (be careful to not cut the seams) and turn the outer shell right side out.

To prepare the fabric for the hidden pocket, cut a piece of the quilted cotton fabric 9 1/2 inches wide by 13 1/2 inches high. Fold the top edge of the fabric 1/2 inch over to the right side and press. Fold the top edge of the fabric over another 1/2 inch and press. Then, sew a 1/4 inch seam along the top edge of the fabric.

Measure and mark the center of the top edge of the pocket fabric, just under the fold, by measuring and dividing by two. Add the button section of the snap at this mark.

Next, prepare the fabric for the hidden compartment of the inner lining by cutting two pieces of denim 16 inches wide by 22 1/2 inches high. Align the fabric pieces together, right sides facing, pin and sew a 1/2 inch seam along the bottom edge only.

Next we will attach the pocket to the hidden compartment section. Lay the hidden compartment section flat with the right side facing up and align the pocket in the center of the top half (measure equal distances between the edges of the pocket and the outer edges of the fabric to align). Pin the pocket in place and add bias tape around the side and bottom edges of the pocket. Sew a seam along the inner edges of the tape.

Now, mark the fabric under the button section of the snap.

Roll the fabric down from the top edge of the compartment fabric to the top edge of the pocket and then add the inner section of the snap at the mark you just made.

Prepare the fabric for the inner lining by cutting two pieces of the quilted cotton fabric 16 inches wide by 22 1/2 inches high. Align the fabric pieces together, right sides facing, and pin in place along the bottom edge. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the bottom edge only.

Lay the inner lining section flat with the right sides facing up. Align the hidden compartment section on top of the inner lining section (the opening of the hidden pocket should be facing the top edge), right sides together, and pin along the top edge. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the top edge only.

Lay the fabric flat and add a strip of Velcro (the loop side) on the hidden compartment fabric about 1/2 inch below the seam you just sewed. Spray the back of the Velcro with adhesive, smooth it in place, and sew a seam along the edges of the Velcro.

Fold the fabric of the hidden compartment section together and mark the top layer of the fabric at both ends of the Velcro.

Add a strip of Velcro (the hook side) along the fabric from one mark to the next.

Then, press the seam that connects the hidden compartment to the inner lining and top stitch a 1/4 inch seam along the seam you just pressed.

Fold and align the layers of the inner lining and the hidden compartment together, right sides facing, pin in place, and sew a 1/2 inch seam along the side and bottom edges only.

To prepare the straps, cut two pieces of denim 3 1/2 inches wide by 46 inches long. Fold the long edges in to the wrong side 1/2 inch and press.

Align the folded edges together and press. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along each long edge of the strap.

Now it is time to assemble the tote! Pin the ends of one of the straps about 1 1/2 inches from the side edges of the front of the outer shell (with the strap laying flat). Allow the ends of the straps to extend about 1/4 inch out past the top edge of the fabric. Pin the strap in place away from the outer edges of the outer shell so it will not be sewn over later on. Add the remaining strap to the back of the outer shell just as you added the first strap.

Insert the outer shell inside the inner lining (between the inner lining layers) with the right sides together and the top edges of the fabric aligned. Move the top edge of the inner layer of the hidden compartment down a bit so it will not be sewn over (reposition it and press it in place using the Velcro strip). Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the top edge, leaving a space between the back straps open for turning (about 8 inches).

Turn the fabric right side out and insert the inner lining inside the outer shell. Turn the fabric of the opening in 1/2 inch to the wrong side and press. Then, flip the straps up and top stitch a 1/4 inch seam along the entire top edge of the tote.

If you have an e-reader like a Kindle or a Nook, carry it in the secret compartment, fill the bag with any other items, and hit the town with your trendy new tote.

Take your handy bag with you when you travel, go to crafting classes, and much more.