Fresh & Fabulous Tote

Fabric Requirements:

Notes:

• Finished Size: 14" W x 15 1/2" H x 4 1/2" D
• All seam allowances are 1/4" unless noted.
• * = Adhere fusible adhesive to back of fabric before die-cutting the shapes.
• There will be extra Leaves that can be used on another project.
• When cutting fabric Strips with the dies, leave the fabric folded as it comes on the bolt.
• WOF = width of fabric
• LOF = length of fabric

Assembling the Tote:

1. Sew the nine 2 1/2" x WOF together, lengthwise to make a striped fabric. Press.
2. Cut four 5 1/2" segments of striped fabric. The width of this piece, across the stripes, should be 18 1/2".
3. Sew five 5" Squares, alternating JS21 Yellow and JS21 Green, into a long strip. Press. Trim 2" from the length at each end. This will give you a half of 5" Square, three full 5" Squares and a second half of 5" Square. This piece should measure 5" x 18 1/2". Repeat a second time.
4. Trim the 1 1/2" Strip of JS21 Yellow into two pieces 18 1/2" long.
5. To make one side of the tote, sew the pieces in the following order: 1 1/2" x 18 1/2" JS21 Yellow, 5 1/2" x 18 1/2" Strip made in step 2, 5" x 18 1/2" Square Strip made in step 3 and 5 1/2" x 18 1/2" Strip made in step 2. Press and repeat a second time.
6. The bottom of the tote is the 4 1/2" x 14 1/2" JS22 Violet. This will be sewn to the 5" x 18 1/2" striped fabric at the bottom of each side. It will be placed in the middle of the side so the side pieces will be 2" longer on each side than the bottom. Press.
7. Layer the backing, batting and tote top. Quilt by hand or machine, as desired.
8. Trim away the excess batting and backing fabric. Use a small zigzag stitch to finish the edges of the tote to prevent raveling.
9. Fold the bias tape, right sides together, and press. Use the photograph as a guide to make a curving vine across the Square section of each side of the tote. Pin the bias tape in place when you like the way the vine looks. Sew 1/4" away from the raw edge of the bias tape all down the vine. Press the folded edge of the tape up over the raw edge, making sure they are covered. Use a blind hem stitch to sew the unattached side of the bias tape down.
10. Again using the photograph as a guide, place the leaves and heat fuse in place. Use a small zigzag stitch around the Leaves, to permanently attach. Sew buttons on for berries.
11. Fold the tote bag in half, right sides together, matching up the top and bottom edges of the side pieces. Pin both side seams together and using 1/4" seam, sew the sides of the tote. Press the seams open.
12. Sew the bottom of the side to the bottom piece on both ends.
13. Fold the binding in half, lengthwise, with wrong sides together and press. Sew the raw edges of the binding to the top edge of the right side of the tote. Turn the folded edge of the binding to the back side of the quilt and stitch in place by hand.

Making and Attaching the Handles:

1. Take one of the 4 1/2" x WOF pieces and press in half, lengthwise, wrong sides together.
2. Open and insert a pieces of 1 1/2" x 42" batting, making sure one edge is on the fold line.
3. Holding the top half of the handle fabric off the batting, carefully press the fabric that shows above the batting, over the batting, down the length of the handle.
4. Carefully pick up the handle and turn it over. You will see fabric sticking out above the fabric you just pressed over the batting. Carefully press this fabric over the edge of the fabric and batting. When the piece is cool. Take the fabric you just pressed, carefully open it up, take if off the part with the batting and refold it on itself. Press again and you should have two folded fabric edges together with batting in the middle. Pin down the length of the handle to hold everything in place while you edge stitch down each side.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the second handle.
6. Lay the two handles, side by side on a cutting mat. You will have to decide how long you would like the tote handles to be. A good way to do this is by measuring a tote or purse you already own and like. The handles on this project are cut to 28" long. Trim both at the same time to ensure both handles are the same length.
7. Pin the handles to each side of the tote 5 1/2" from the side and 1" from the top. The handles will hang down. Use a 1/4" seam and sew the handles to the tote. You might want to stitch this twice for added strength.
8. Flip the handles up and stitch them down again, 1/4" from the first seam. This also adds strength and hides the raw edge of the handle.