Terrific Tote Bag

Start the new year with style by adding this gorgeous Lattice Tote Bag to your collection!

 

Materials Needed:

 

  • 1¼ yard Fabric A – Sturdy Cotton Fabric (Tote Body, straps and lattice)
  • ⅛ yard Fabric B – Contrast cotton for inset
  • 1 yard Fabric C – cotton for lining
  • 1½ yard fusible interfacing
  • 1 yard cotton filler cord (narrow – about ⅛”)
  • 4 spools or cones all-purpose thread to match fabric inset color
  • 4 spool or cones all-purpose thread to match tote body
  • 1 spool all-purpose thread for sewing
  • 4 spool or cones all-purpose thread to match tote body
  • 1 spool all-purpose thread for sewing machine to match tote body
  • Elastic Foot Part # A1A163000-P
  • Piping/Cording Foot Part #
  • Ruler
  • Water soluble fabric marker
  • ½” bias tape maker
  • 1 roll ¼”-wide double-sided fusible webbing such as Steam-a-Seam 2 ®

     

    Fabric Preparation:

     

    • Cut from Fabric A
      • One 17 x 26½” (Tote Body)
      • One 3¼” x 17”   (Top Band)
      • Two 5½” x 13½”   (Side Panel)
      • Two 3” x 23   (Handle Straps)
      • Four  1” x 44” (Lattice strips)
      • One 1½” x 44”   (Piping)
    • Cut from Fabric B
      • One – 5” x 18” (Contrasting Inset)
      • Using a water soluble fabric marker and ruler, mark a diagonal grid onto the inset fabric, having the lines about 1” apart.
      • Cut One – 31” x 17” (Lining)
      • Two – 5½” x 13½” (Lining side panels)
    latticepic1
    Interfacing
    • Cut one of each of the pieces above, except the handle straps, lattice and piping strips. Apply to the wrong side of the pieces according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
    Fabric C
    • Cut One – 31” x 17” (Lining)
    • Two – 5½” x 13½” (Lining side panels)

    Sewing Instructions:

      1. Prepare Overlocker for Program J – Three thread cover-stitch, using the four cones of thread that match the inset fabric.  Follow instructions in machine manual for machine set-up and for threading.  Prepare sewing machine with the all-purpose thread that matches the tote bag body.

    Handle Straps –

        1. With right sides together, fold one of the handle-strap pieces in half lengthwise, bringing raw edges together.  Using the sewing machine and a ¼” seam, stitch raw edges together, leaving ends open for turning.  Turn to right side out. Press. Repeat with the remaining handle strap piece.
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        1. Using the serger and the triple cover stitch, stitch close to each long edge of the handle-strap pieces.  Set aside for later.
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      Lattice Strips –

          1. Feed one end of a lattice strip (1” x 44”) into the bias tape maker, pressing the strip as it exits the devise. Hint: angle cut the end of the fabric strip that enters the devise before inserting the tape into the bias tape maker.  Repeat this with the remaining three lattice strips.
          2. Attach the elastic foot.
          3. Feed the pressed strip (raw edges underneath) into the slot of the elastic foot. Loosen the top screw of the elastic foot to back off the tension so that the strip will easily pass through the slot of the foot.
          4. Using a tweezers, pull the strip towards the back under the needles. Slowly begin to stitch the strip.  Stitch to the end of the strip. Repeat with the remaining three strips.
      latticepic4
          1. Apply the ¼” fusible webbing to the wrong side of the lattice strips; follow manufacturer’s recommendations.  Remove the paper.
          2. Lay the contrasting inset fabric, face up, on an ironing surface.  Place one of the lattice strips, face up, onto the fabric over one of the marked lines.  Trim away excess strip so that it is even with the raw edge of the inset fabric.
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          1. Use the left over lattice strip and the remaining lattice strips to cut pieces to fill the lattice grid.  Weave every other piece over and under so that the strips interweave. Press in place.
          2. Using a rotary cutter and a ruler, trim the lattice piece so that it measures 4” x 17”.

      Piping –

          1. Prepare Overlocker for Program A – Four-thread Ultra-Stretch Mock Safety stitch, using the four cones of thread that match the tote bag fabric. Follow instructions in machine manual for machine set-up and for threading.  Attach the piping/cording foot.
          2. Place the cotton filler cord down the center of the wrong side of the 1½” x 44” piping strip.  Bring raw edges of the fabric together, enclosing the cord.  Position under the presser foot, so that the cording will rest under the channel of the foot.  Serge, trimming excess fabric away.
          3. Pin the piping to the top edge of the lattice piece, the cording should be about ½” from the raw edge.  Using the sewing machine and a zipper foot.  Baste in place.   Please note: All seams will be ½” unless otherwise noted.
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          1. Repeat with the remaining piping and apply to the bottom edge of the lattice.
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          1. With right sides together, pin the top band to the top edge of the lattice piece.  Using a straight stitch and a zipper foot, stitch together with a ½” seam.  Open fabric and press seam towards the top band.
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          1. With right sides together, pin the tote body to the bottom edge of the lattice piece.  Stitch together, using a ½” seam.  Press seam towards the bottom.
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          1. Using a water soluble marker or chalk, mark a dot 13” down from the top edge on each side.  Mark a dot 13” from the bottom edge on each side.  To reinforce seam line, stay-stitch ½” from each edge, starting an inch above the dot, stitching through the dots and finishing an inch past the bottom dot.  Clip the seam allowance to the seam line at the dots.
          2. With right sides together, pin one of the 5½” x 13½” side panels to one side edge of the tote body, pivoting tote body at dots. (Please note: dots should line up with the bottom corners of the side panel.  Stitch.
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          1. Repeat with the remaining side panel on the other side of the tote.  Turn the tote to the right side out.
          2. With right sides together, pin the handles to the top edges of the tote, one handle on the front and the other on the back.  Position handle ends about 4” from the sides of the tote and matching raw edges.  Stitch to secure.
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        1. Stitch lining pieces together following the same procedure as in steps 8 through 10, except leave a six inch opening for turning on one of the side seams.
        2. Slide the lining over the tote, right sides together, matching side seams.  Pin the tope raw edges together and stitch.  Pull the tote through the opening of the lining to bring the right side of the tote to the outside.  Press.