Milk Cow Kitchen Tote

Hi there!  I want to thank you all for your kind comments about the apron I shared yesterday! Today I am going to show you another project featuring the Milk Cow Kitchen fabric.  When I saw this patchwork fabric, I knew I had to make it into a tote.  I have always wanted to make a patchwork tote, but I didn't really want to actually do the patchwork!  So this lovely print, has done all the work for me! 

 This bag is a great market tote! Perfect to take to your local farmers market and place all your purchases in this roomy tote!  

This is as simple as it gets when sewing a basic tote.  It comes together quickly, and is perfect for a beginner!  I decided to dress my tote up a tad, I added a fun little gathered pocket.  I thought this pocket would be perfect to place your keys, or phone so you don't have to go digging for it in the huge interior!  If you don't want to add the pocket, it would be just as lovely, and it will come together even faster! 

So what do ya say, let's make this tote! 

Supplies:

• 5/8 yard exterior fabric and SF101 interfacing
• 5/8 yard interior fabric and Fusible Fleece
• 3/8 yard handles - cut 6" x 28"
• Pocket  1/4 yard-- Tutorial HERE

Step 1: Out of your exterior fabric and interfacing cut out 2 - 20" squares.  Do the same with the interior fabric and fusible fleece.  Iron your interfacing onto the exterior squares, and iron the fusible fleece on the interior squares.

Step 2: If you want to add the pocket, you can find the directions on how to make this pocket right here.

Step 3: Place your pocket on one of your exterior panels.  About 6" down and in the center of your panel.  Pin to secure, then sew around the three sides to secure.

Step 4: Place your two exterior panels right sides together and pin.  Using a 1/2" seam, sew around the left, right and bottom sides. Clip corners, and press seams open.

Step 5: Now you will make your gussets. With your bag exterior wrong sides out, open up your bottom corner.  Match the sides seams with the bottom seam of your bag, so that you form a triangle.  Press it flat. 

With a ruler mark 4" from the corner and mark a line straight across.  Sew along this marked line, making sure you back stitch. 

Do this to both corners. Clip the excess fabric off, leaving a 1/4" from the seam line. 

Step 6: Place your interior panels right sides together and sew around the left, right and bottom sides leaving about a 4" opening at the bottom of your bag.  Clip corners and press seams open. 

Step 7: Make the gussets in your exterior piece, using the same steps as in step 5. 

Step 8: Making your handles.  Fold the left and right sides of your handle piece in 1.5" and press. 

Then fold over again and press. Now stitch along both sides of your handle with an 1/8" seam. 

Place your handle 2" from the left and right seams on your exterior piece.  Pin into place, and then sew them on using a 1/4" seam.  Do this to both sides of your bag. 

Step 9: Final Assembly Place the exterior (right sides out) of your bag INSIDE the lining of your bag (the lining is wrong sides out) Tuck your handles in-between the two layers. Line up the seams on either side and pin all the way around the opening of the bag.  Then sew all the way around the top of your bag using a 5/8" seam. 

Now you will use the opening you left on your lining and turn the bag right side out.  Next you will sew the opening of your lining shut.  You can hand sew it shut, or just quickly sew it with your sewing machine. 

Tuck your lining inside your bag and then you will top stitch along the top of your bag using a 1/2 seam. 

And there you have it! A cute, and functional market tote! :) 

Talk to you soon,