return on creativity: squatty tote bag

I found the inspiration for this bag (below) while surfing the net at work.  I emailed myself the picture, but neglected to email the source.  If you know where this came from please let me know.  



source unknown.  if you know the source please comment or email me and I will update.



I love the squatty, wide shape, the rounded corners, the piping, the eyelet detail, and the striking black bicycle on the front.

Here's how I made my version.


1.  Cut four 12 inch by 17 inch rectangles of fabric.  Two from your chosen outer bag fabric and two from your chosen lining fabric.  I chose a beige denim for my bag fabric and a printed red ticking stripe fabric for the lining.  The lining fabric was home decor fabric.

2.  Trace and cut a curve template from a piece of paper.  Trace the curve onto the bottom two corners of all four fabric rectangles and cut.

3.  Instead of a bicycle, I chose to stamp my personal creative mission statement on the front of the bag.  I used alphabet stamps and Stayz-On Ink to create my design.  I marked the middle of the rectangle with disappearing ink to help me center the words.

4.  Sew piping to the two sides and bottom of both outer bag pieces.  Sew the piping onto the right side of the bag keeping the raw edges of the bag and the piping together.  I made my own piping out of the lining material.  It was my first time making piping and it was super easy.  Give it a try!

5.  Cut two 37 inch by 7 inch rectangles of fabric.  One from the outer fabric and one from the lining fabric.  This is the "middle" of your tote bag.  Sew the long edge of each rectangle to the bag front and back rectangles, right sides together.

6.  Rather than the eyelet detail in the inspiration bag, I chose to incorporate these metal squares into the bag handles.  I found these at the fabric store with the handbag making accessories.

7.  Cut four 5.5 inch by 4 inch rectangles of fabric.  I used the lining fabric for my handle.  Fold and iron each rectangle in half, matching the two four inch sides together.  Open the fabric and fold in each side into the center crease made by ironing.  Fold in half again and iron.  Top stitch along each long side.

8.  Loop each fabric rectangle through a metal ring and sew to the right side of outer bag, raw edges matching.  Sew with a quarter inch seam allowance.  I placed mine about four inches in from the side of the bag.

9.  Turn outer bag right side out and place inside the lining (which should still be inside out).  Stitch the tops of the two bags together with right sides facing.  Leave a four inch opening.  Turn bag right side out.

10.  Press bag and top stitch around the top of the bag stitching your four inch opening closed.

11.  Cut two 5.5 inch by 16 inch rectangles of fabric out of the same handle material used in step 7.  Fold and iron the fabric as you did in step 7.  This time also fold in the fabric ends.  Top stitch around all sides.

12.  Loop the fabric through the metal rings and stitch the fabric to itself attaching your handle.

That's it.  This is probably one of the more complicated tutorials I have written, so if you have any questions please just comment or email me and I will try and answer.  I think this bag turned out super cute and I can't wait to take it with me next weekend when I go visit my aunt.

Here are some shots of the finished project...