Marcus Fabrics - Make it with Marcus, Floral Dimensions Large Tote Bag

LARGE TOTE BAG

You’ll Need

FRONT:

Cut two 2” wide strips of each of the nine fabrics. Cut strips in half; set aside one group for the tote back.
Sew the 9 strips together lengthwise and press. Cut the pieced sections crosswise into 2” wide strips. You’ll need 12 blocks in each strip.
Piece this section, 9 rows high, shifting the rows to create a diagonal arrangement of prints, as shown in the photo. Cut a 3” wide strip of binding to the top and bottom. Sew to top and bottom Quilt this section as desired using a cotton batting.

BACK:

NOTE: The back is pieced in vertical stripes.

Sew the second group of 2” strips together and press, as you did for the front.
Cut a 10” square section for the pocket.
Counting from the bottom, rip apart the seam between Rows 7 and 8. Quilt the bottom section (Rows 7 and below) using cotton batting add a piece of fabric for the lining.
Insert the zipper in the top seam before quilting. Sew the top section (Rows 8 and above) to the zipper. Cut a piece of fabric 10” wide x the length of section; pin or baste behind this section.
Cut the balance of the striped section in half and sew to the sides of the pocket section. Sew the 3” strip to the top and bottom, then quilt as desired. Trim to the same size as the front section.

ASSEMBLY & FINISHING

For straps, cut 2 pieces of batting measuring 2-1/2”x 63”. Cut 2 pieces of fabric measuring 3” x 63”. Line up one long edge of the fabric to one long edge of the batting, having the wrong side of fabric against the batting; sew this long edge. Fold the batting in half lengthwise; wrap fabric around the batting. Turn under the extra 1/2” width of fabric and position along the edge of the strap; sew along each long edge of the strap. Trim to 62” long. Pin strap from bottom to top along edge by the zipper covering the seam. Sew strap to tote along both sides of the strap, leaving it unstitched at the top 2” of the tote.
At the bottoms of both sections cut a 2-1/2” square out of each corner for ease in sewing the bottom corners. (Fig. 1). Cut lining sections the same size and shape as the front and back. Add pockets to the lining sections if desired. Sew the lining to the top of each section.
To assemble the tote, sew front to back along one side. Sew the other side, leaving an opening in the lining; turn the tote right side out through this opening. To sew the corners, match side seam to center bottom seam. Stitch across, to create bag width. (Fig. 2) Clean finish seam allowances.
Turn bag right side out. Press. Topstitch along the top of the tote as well as the top border edge. Sew along the edges to form a box shape if desired. This helps the bag to keep its shape when in use.