12.16.2009

tote tutorial. totally.

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Okay, I know it took forever, but here you go:

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{This is when you'd sew on your ruffles around the outside of your bag,
if you were to ruffle.}

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Don't turn your interior right side out.
Fit it inside the exterior with wrong sides together.


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Now follow this tutorial for your straps, except don't press the sides in
and cut your strap pieces 24" x 4", and without velcro.

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Backstitch over the straps.


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Done. You have a tote.

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These totes below are just one layer of exterior upholstery fabric. I pressed the tops over twice to hide the raw edge of the fabric, and sewed the straps onto the outside of the bag.

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Let me know how it goes!

I mean, if I totally confuse you, I'd appreciate a request for clarification.

15 comments:

Wonder Woman said...

Thou almostest makes me think I could do it

mandi said...

darn you cally cruze- you post this 9 days before christmas??? it makes me think that i could almost, most probably, pull out my machine again and get to work...

restraint!!!

Donna said...

I'm totally going to the Fabric district this Sat. to get my hands on some tote worthy fabric!

Lori said...

This is so eye-opening. All this time I figured we made totes the same way. Not so.
Your way seems quicker.

ShEiLa said...

Here comes the whinner...
I could do it thanks to you if I had not given my 28 year old sewing machine away... I still need a new machine. One of these days.

Thanks for the tutorial.

ToOdLeS.

c-Mo Love! said...

Oh I'm so excited to try this project. My DH got me a sewing machine for Christmas. There are so many things I plan to do when i get it.

Unknown said...

thanks, but no thanks.

I will just pay you if I ever really really gotta have one.

There is no way I am attempting thing unless I have you there to explain in person.

and we are using YOUR machine. :)

I am sure we will be finding your tutorial linked all over the crafty world though.

And I will say that I was the 7th commenter. :)

the mama monster said...

that is so stinkin cute! thanks for the comment on my blog. i have been secretly blog stalking you since i saw a link on sparklepower a while back. i love your stuff!
i know where the heck is claire? and didn't you think the last time they showed her she looked/acted weird. and sawyer oh sawyer. oh and i love that we finally learning about jacob.

Anne said...

This is such a pretty bag! And your tutorial is SUCH eye candy! I never really thought about the visual aspect of a tutorial, but yours really rocks.

I blogged your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-basic-tote-bag-with-small-ruffles/2010/01/28/

--Anne

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

Love the ruffles!! Thanks for the tutorial!

Boss said...

Hey hey! I saw this tutorial when you first posted it, but I just stumbled upon it again from a One Pretty Thing link. (congratulations!) And that reminded me that I meant to ask about backing the lining with muslin. Do you like that better than interfacing? Also, I like your "fold it into a house" technique for squaring the bottom corners. Genius! Gorgeous stuff, as always!

-Diana

cally said...

Hi Diana! I do like muslin better...it gives the bag a little more stability than with interfacing. But you certainly can use interfacing if you want! It just depends really on how sturdy you want the bag. I sometimes use canvas also, if I want a bag that can really stand on its own. literally.

miranda said...

I just want you to know that I think your blog rocks!
This tutorial was amazing, I made a tote last night and it came out great. Awesome pattern!
You can check out my finished tote here:
http://sippycupsandfingerprints.blogspot.com/

I'm sending my readers your way too!

Casey said...

Great tutorial! I made one for my sister and she loves it! :)

Nicole said...

I can't get my bottom to look right, it ends up looking more squre but it still ends up cute. Thanks for the tut!