Perfect Pocket Tote

Perfectly placed outer pockets add both fashion and function to this terrific tote.

Pretty yet sturdy, this tote features two panels to show off your favorite embroidery designs. Choose fabric to compliment the designs and you'll have a bag sure to impress!

Read on for instructions on how to create your own perfect pocket tote!

To get started, print the pattern pieces by first downloading a PDF file from the link above. There are four pattern sections that will print on four pieces of 8 1/2" wide by 11" high paper.

Cut out the pieces and tape them together according to the instructions printed on the patterns.

Now I will prepare the embroidered pocket piece. Lay the pattern on top of the sturdy cotton fabric (I used lightweight canvas), pin in place, and using an air-erase pen or other marking tool, trace the shape.

Remove the pattern piece. Measure and mark up 2" along each side edge starting at the bottom corners. Draw a line connecting the marks (the area above the line is the embroidered area).

Create a paper template of the design by printing it at full size using embroidery software. Place the template inside the embroidered area where you want it. I centered my template side to side and top to bottom (top of the shape to the line you just drew) by measuring equal distances in between the outer edges of the design and the edges of the embroidered area. Also, make sure there is at least one inch of space in between the outer edges of the design and the edges of the shape.

Poke a hole in the center of the design and mark the fabric. Also, mark the horizontal and vertical axis points.

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 aligned with the center point on the fabric. Embroider the design.

When the design has finished, trim away the excess stabilizer on the backside of the embroidery.

Cut out the shape.

Prepare a total of two embroidered pocket pieces (one for each side of the tote).

To create the pocket linings, lay the embroidered pocket pieces on top of the print cotton fabric, right sides together, pin in place, and cut around the shape of the embroidered piece.

Sew a 1/2" seam along the top curved edges only - do not sew along any of the straight edges.

Clip the seam allowance along both curved edges about every 1/4". Turn the fabric right side out and press the seams with an iron. Also, top stitch a 1/4" seam along the curved edges and an 1/8" seam along the top, side, and bottom edges.

To prepare the outer shell, cut a piece of print cotton fabric, medium weight double-sided fusible interfacing, and sturdy cotton fabric to 11 1/4" wide by 15" high. Layer them together as follows: lay the sturdy cotton fabric flat with the wrong side facing up. Align the interfacing on top of the sturdy cotton fabric and then align the print cotton fabric on top of the interfacing with the right side facing up.

Pin in place and fuse the layers together, activating the interfacing by following the instructions on the interfacing packaging.

Lay the outer shell pieces flat with the print cotton side facing up. Align the assembled pocket pieces on top with the right side (embroidered side) facing up and pin in place.

Align the pocket/outer shell pieces together, right sides together, align the sides of the pockets and pin in place.

Sew a 1/2" seam along the side and bottom edges only - leave the top open for turning.

To square off the bottom of the tote, align the side and bottom seams together, pin in place, and sew a seam across the existing seams

Trim the fabric at each corner leaving about 1/4" excess. Turn the fabric right side out.

To add the inner lining, cut two pieces of print cotton fabric to 11 1/4" wide by 15" high. Assemble the inner lining by aligning the two pieces, right sides together, and sewing a 1/2" seam along the side and bottom edges only.

Square off the corners, measure and draw a line 3 1/2" across each corner (perpendicular to the side seam). Sew a seam across the lines and trim the fabric at each corner.

Insert the outer shell inside the inner lining, right sides together. Align the top raw edges and the sides seams. Pin in place and sew a 1/2" seam along the top edge leaving about 6" open along one side for turning.

Turn the fabric right side out and insert the inner lining inside the outer shell. Turn the fabric of the opening in to the wrong side and press. Allow about 3/4" of the inner lining to fold over to the outside of the top edge of the tote.

Press and sew a 1/4" seam along the fold of the inner lining around the entire top edge of the tote.

Add the shoulder straps by cutting two 36" lengths of 1" wide to 1 1/4" wide strapping. Fold each end over about 3/4" and pin in place at the top outside edge of the tote along each side of the top edges of the pockets (on both sides of the tote). Sew a seam across each folded end of the straps.

And your perfect pocket tote is complete! It's a fresh look to any wardrobe, and a great way to carry all your everyday essentials.