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How to Sew a Shopping Tote Bag
by Marian Lewis
Looking for a very useful simple sewing project that is fast and easy to
sew? Here is how to sew a fabric shopping tote bag.
Help the environment by sewing several shopping bags for yourself, or
give them as gifts. The kids can use them for toy bags when they go to
Grandma's house. They are great travel totes, too.
You will love fabric shopping bags. Use them for all sorts of things
besides carrying groceries.
Use up some of your stash and make a few today! Give them to your
favorite charity. They love them!
Fabric:
Use whatever fabric you want to use. Try cottons, upholstery fabrics,
fake suede, leather, canvas, denim, etc. You may prefer to use washable
fabrics so you can easily launder your bags.
1-1/4 yards of 45 inch wide fabric will make two (2) bags.
Preshrink and straighten the fabric.
Cutting Instructions:
Cut a panel 19-1/2 inches wide by 41 inches long for each bag.
Cut (preferably on the lengthwise grain) two (2) handles for each bag 4
inches wide by 17 inches long. It is easier to cut and sew one long
strip 4 inches by 34 inches and then cut it in half.
Sewing Instructions:
Fold the bag panel in half and press a crease in the bottom.
Press a 1 inch hem in the top of the bag.
Fold the hem down again and press making a double hem.
Repeat for both front and back of the bag.
Let it cool on your ironing board and then open the hems back out.
NOTE: If you are applying pockets, appliques, embroidery, etc, to the
bag, do it now before you sew the side seams.
Make sure hems are open and stitch 1/2 inch side seams to make the bag
(serge or sew).
Trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch and zigzag to finish the edges.
Press seams.
Turn down the double hem and stitch in place.
Press.
While pressing the hem, determine the center front and center back of
the bag by folding so that side seams are lined up and press a light
crease at the top of the bag. This will help you place the handles.
Make the Straps:
Press a 4 inch wide strap piece in half to set a crease.
Open back out and bring the cut edges to the center on the pressed
crease.
Press.
Now fold on the original crease and press again.
The cut edges are enclosed.
Edgestitch on both sides of the long 34 inch long strap.
Cut in half to 17 inches to make two strap handles.
Zigzag raw ends.
Mark and Attach the Strap Handles:
At the bag hem, measure out both sides from the center front and center
back of the bag about 1-3/4 inches and make a mark. This allows 3-1/2
inches between the handles.
Place the inside edge of the handle at this mark lining up the zigzagged
edge of the handle with bottom of the bag hem. Pin in place.
Stitch a 1 inch square to attach the handles to the bag.
Box the Bottom of the Bag:
To box the bottom of the bag, turn it wrong side out.
Center a side seam on top of the crease at the bag bottom forming a
triangle.
With the bag bottom crease on top centered over the side seam, measure
down from the point 3-1/2 inches and mark.
Fold over the triangle lining up the point to the bag bottom crease and
press a triangle.
Open the triangle back up and stitch on the folded press line (base of
the triangle).
Repeat for the other side. This will form a 7 inch box in the bottom of
the bag.
You can leave these triangles folded down into the bottom of the bag or
you may trim them off and finish the edges with serged or zigzag
stitches.
Support the Bottom:
Also, you may want to cover a piece of cardboard with your fabric to lay
in the bottom of the bag for added support. This can be removed to
launder the bag.
Cut the cardboard 7 inches wide x 11-1/2 inches long.
Cut the fabric a little larger.
Fuse/glue fabric to the cardboard.
Tip: Double the bag when the load is extra heavy. Make it double layered
or simply place one bag inside the other when needed.
Enjoy Your Fabric Shopping Bag:
Use it to tote whatever you want wherever you want.
Make the handles longer if you want to carry the shopping bag over your
shoulder.
Add your special trims, appliques, monogram, embroidery, paints, etc. to
make the bag uniquely yours.
Add pockets inside and out in different sizes to hold your keys, wallet,
etc.
You are the designer. Sew your own designer shopping tote bags.
It just makes sense!
About the author
©2006 Marian Lewis - All Rights Reserved 1st Step To Sewing Success
Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor and the creator of an amazing new
fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks. In her ebook, "Common Sense
Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting
Skirts And Pants", find out step-by-step WHAT you really need, WHERE you
really need it and HOW to apply that to a commercial sewing pattern.
For more information, go to
http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/fitting.html
Marian is also the author of other eBooks related to sewing including,
"Sew A Tee Pee And Accessories For Your Tribe Of Kids" and "Classy
Designer Straight Skirt" where she teaches basic and advanced sewing
techniques.
To learn more, go to
http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html To discover sewing
and fitting secrets to achieve sewing success, follow the link
http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marian_Lewis
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