Make a handy shopper tote bag using just three fat quarters and learn how to stitch French seams as you go!
Step 1
Cut two of the fat quarters into pieces for the bag front and back panels
-floral design 8½ “x19”
-spot design 8 ½ “x19”
Cut two pieces 4”x20” from the pink leaf fat quarter
Step 2
Sew the front panel top and bottom pieces together using a French seam (pay attention to fabric layout as this is a directional print)
- pin wrong sides together, stitch 1/8” seam along long edge then press
- pin right sides together, stitch 3/8” seam along long edge then press
- repeat this with the back panel pieces
Step 3
Sew the front and back panel pieces together using a French seam
- pin wrong sides together, stitch 1/8” seam along edge then press
- pin right sides together, stitch 3/8” seam along edge then press
Step 4:
Turn over a ½ “fold along top edges, then fold this over again and press in place
- do not stitch this in place yet
Step 5
Make bag handles
- Fold each pink leaf fabric strip in half lengthways and press
- Fold each long outer edge into the centre and press
- Fold back in half again and press in place
- Topstitch along each edge then down the centre of the strip
Step 6:
Lay out the bag and measure and mark 5½“ in from each top edge
- tuck the handle under the top fold and pin in place at the lines marked
- fold handle back on itself and re-pin
- stitch along both edges of the fold to secure the fold, attach the handles and encase the raw edges of the handles within the seam
Step 7
Sew the side seams using a French seam
- pin wrong sides together, stitch 1/8” seam along long edge then press
- pin right sides together, stitch 3/8” seam along long edge then press
Step 8
Give the bag a good press then it is ready to use!
You could also make this bag with a single piece of fabric for the front/back piece: this design was chosen to make the most of the directional fabric design on the main fat quarter.
Made by Angela Harkness for The Craft Cotton Co 2018