How to Reverse Applique a Tote Bag

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Diane Gilleland, contributor

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Make a multi-colored design on a tote with reverse-applique. It's easy!

All photos by Diane Gilleland

Here's a close-up of the appliqued design.

The key to successful reverse-applique is in clipping the edges of your fabric enough to create smooth curves.

Make a multi-colored design on a tote with reverse-applique. It's easy!

Photo: All photos by Diane Gilleland

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When cutting a small shape, you may not need to cut out the center - just clip around the edges.

The more you clip the edges, the smoother your curves will be.

When you're appliqueing smaller shapes like this, it's especially important to clip the fabric a lot so your applique will have smooth curves. See the difference between these two brown shapes? The shape on the left was clipped more than the shape on the right. See how angular the shape on the right turned out?

From this point, you can sew up your tote bag according to the pattern instructions. Once you've sewn the side and bottom seams, you can remove your hand-basting.

Now that you're comfortable with reverse applique, keep in mind that you can always use more than three fabrics, not to mention create more intricate designs. For inspiration, take a look at the fantastically detailed reverse-appliqued molas, stitched by Kuna women in Panama and Colombia.

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Reverse applique
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Comments (31)

clothingeng writes: Nice tutorial...great looking work! Thanks for sharing :)
Posted: 12:25 pm on August 4th

ladybugltd writes: Love the technique.... have not heard of it prior. The link to the molas/Kuna women from Panama was fabulous. Will have to try this on a bag or perhaps a pinafore for my granddaughter. I think a little puff in the under layer would add so much detail, too. Thanks so much.
Posted: 3:58 pm on July 26th

gettegorge writes: Love tne bag, hope to try it with some silk ,I have laying around, wow what great detail, thanks Diane.
Posted: 1:18 pm on July 25th

CdGautreaux writes: What a great project! Love this!
Posted: 1:44 pm on July 24th

bubblebear writes: This is actually cute and neat.
Posted: 3:05 pm on April 21st

lwagner53 writes: This is a cute idea, I have to try it!
Posted: 12:08 pm on April 21st

mama50 writes: Hi Diane,
beauty bag, and I thank for the course bag ,
hugz-Wanda

my blog;

www.wandar-wanda.blogspot.com

Posted: 6:41 am on November 3rd

kaleylaine writes: I'm so excited to finally learn how to do this! A traditional art of Panama are "Molas" and I've always wondered how they made their intricate and colorful designs! Thank you for explaining it in an easy way!
Posted: 1:38 am on June 18th

Love_it writes: Dear Diane Gilleland,

This is the simplest and best explanation of reverse applique I have ever seen. Thank you. Finally, the mud has cleared away.
Posted: 4:55 pm on April 12th

ChildfreeTrophyWife writes: Wow. Great instructions and love all the detailed pictures. I'm definitely going to try this. The hardest part will be the stitches.
Posted: 9:14 pm on August 26th

Sister_Diane writes: denese - You know, you certainly could machine-stitch the edges of the applique. The look would be different, of course, but it would definitely be quicker to do that way. I suppose then you'd need to press the edges of the applique first, so they wouldn't move while you sewed them. The nice thing about the hand-stitching is that you can make lots of tiny adjustments to the shape of the applique as you sew.

If you try this way, I hope you'll post a picture to the Gallery so we can all see!
Posted: 3:22 pm on August 19th

denese writes: Also as i an hoping to use this method on my granddauthers pinafore what about putting some batting inbetween the layers to give it bulk.
has any one use this method on childrens clothes or patchwork
Posted: 2:56 am on August 15th

denese writes: I am wondering why one cannot machine stitch where you have and sewn love to know the pros and cons.
Posted: 2:52 am on August 15th

EyePopArt writes: That is so pretty! Well done, Diane!
Posted: 3:54 pm on July 12th

Learnernc writes: Your tutotials are the best!! What a lovely bag.
Posted: 2:57 pm on July 3rd

creativegrrl writes: Pretty sweet bag, I like all the possibilities. I think this technique is also used in Hmong pieces of art, right?
Posted: 3:12 pm on June 24th

Rickimoo writes: Great idea, I want to try this, you make it sound so simple.
Posted: 8:44 am on June 23rd

keyka writes: Very nice! I had never heard of reverse applique until your tutorial. It has a lot of creative possibilities. Thanks for sharing.
Posted: 6:35 pm on June 20th

mini_vampire writes: this is so cool i was totally inspired thanx
Posted: 9:58 am on June 16th

katg23 writes: Wow! That looks fantastic.
Posted: 11:40 pm on June 12th

cinderellen writes: So pretty! Thanks (I think) for link to this site. I so needed another fun time suck!!!
Posted: 8:16 pm on June 12th

Siwi writes: Very inspiring. Thanks so much Diane!
Posted: 9:46 am on June 10th

ShiningStar writes: I really like this. I seen the technique before but this has given me new motivation. I must learn to sew!
Posted: 6:56 pm on June 7th

paperrain writes: Finally figured out I have to join in order to comment!
I have never seen the reverse applique process, and this tutorial really makes it seem possible for me to make that really pretty tote bag. I like the reverse applique look! Thanks, Diane.
Posted: 2:20 am on June 7th

MichaelaMurphy writes: Diane--fabulous! I am going to make one and post it. CAn't wait for your next one...
Posted: 12:13 am on June 7th

QueenPuffPuff writes: I love this! Fabulous tutorial!
Posted: 4:15 pm on June 6th

meggiecat writes: Beautiful project! Those teeny little stitches look great. Trying to sew the teeny, hidden stitches is a meditation exercise for me. Is it that way for you?
Posted: 11:47 am on June 6th

susanstars writes: beautiful as always, Diane!!
Posted: 1:24 pm on June 4th

LindaPermann writes: very well done Diane! this is one of those techniques i keep meaning to try...one day!
Posted: 8:32 pm on June 3rd

AmberE writes: One of the best! Go, Diane G!
Posted: 6:41 pm on June 3rd

Average_Jane_Crafter writes: What a fantastic tutorial! I love the clearly written instructions and the great pictures. And I love that in that last picture there, you can see the different between clipping a lot and not so much - that's a great visual.

And this design is beautiful! Thanks, Diane! :)
Posted: 9:57 am on May 30th

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