Zest Tote Bag

By Spotlight

A bright and colourful bag to complement any outfit!

Final Result

Materials

• Fabrics from ‘Zest’ range
• 50cm Floral Aqua (fabric A - handles & bag)
• 20cm Delicate Floral Green (fabric B - top)
• 50cm Medallion Blue (fabric C - lining & band)
• 80cm x 50cm cotton batting
• Matching Gutermann 100% cotton thread
• Gutermann Sulky cotton 30 thread for quilting
• Optional - Rotary cutter, mat & quilters rulers
• Quilting pins, tape measure
• Quilters chalk pencil
• Scissors, seam ripper
• Hand needle
• Sewing machine with walking foot
(D & E alternative fabrics from the range)

Step 1

CUTTING

***Note there is an image of the fabrics from ‘Zest’ range at the bottom of this page.

From fabric A cut - 2 pieces 38cm (wide) x 33cm for front and back panels, and 2 pieces 50cm x 10cm for handles.

From fabric B cut - 2 pieces 38cm x 15cm for top section.

From fabric C cut - 2 pieces 38cm (wide) x 33cm for front and back lining, and a piece 80cm x 4cm for band.

From batting cut - 2 pieces 38cm (wide) x 33cm for front and back, and 2 pieces 50cm x 4cm for handles.

Step 2

BAG

#1.
With top section (fabric B) and front panel (fabric A) right sides facing sew together using a 6mm/¼” seam allowance.

Press seam open.
Repeat for back panel.

Step 3

#2.
Mark the top centre of the panel using a pin.
Using quilters chalk pencil and beginning 3.5cm (1 3/8”) from the centre, draw diagonal quilting lines 5cm/2” apart on the front and back panels.

Step 4

#3.
Place batting between front (BAG #1) and lining aligning sides and lower edges.
The top will extend 7.5cm/3” above the batting and lining.
Pin along the outer edges, the seam line and quilting lines.
Repeat for back.

Step 5

#4.
With walking foot on the machine, stitch “in the ditch” along the seam line.
Then quilt along the drawn lines.

Step 6

#5.
Pin front and back together with right sides facing and using a 12mm/½” seam allowance sew sides and lower edge together.
Zigzag seam allowance below top section.

Step 7

# 6.
Fold the top section to the inside over the edge of batting and lining.
Turn under 12mm/½” along stitching line and stitch in place through all layers.

Step 8

# 7.
To make the base, flatten out base and match the side seam to bottom seam.
Pin together and mark 4.5cm/1¾” down from the point and rule a line across to form a triangle (line should measure 9cm/3½”).
Stitch along line then add a second row of stitching 3mm/ 1/8” from the first.
Cut off the point and zigzag edge to neaten.
Repeat for other end of the base.

Step 9

# 8.
Fold long edges of the band 6mm/¼” to the wrong side and press.
Starting at the side seam position band over the join between the panel and the top section and pin in place along top and bottom.

Step 10

# 9.
Stitch band in place 2mm from each edge stopping 2.5cm/1” from the start.
Overlap start slightly, fold end under 1cm/ 3/8”, trim off excess fabric then pin and sew in place.

Step 11

# 10.
Fold long edges of the handle strips 6mm/¼” to the wrong side and press.
Press in half lengthways, wrong sides facing.
Place one edge of batting strip along the centre crease then tuck the other edge under one side fold.
Refold on the centre crease with folded edges aligned and press.

Topstitch sides together then topstitch down the folded edge.
Zigzag ends to neaten.

Step 12

# 11.
Place ends of straps on the lining side of the bag 9cm/3½” in from side seam and just below the top edge of the band.
Pin in place from the outside of the bag then stitch along stitching line of the band.

Step 13

# 12.
Topstitch 3mm/ 1/8” from top edge of the bag, stitching through the handles.

Handy Hint

Here is an image of the fabrics we used for our Tote bag. Remember you can use what ever fabrics will go with what your wearing!