How to Make a Stitches and Stripes Tote Bag

kayte terry, contributor

35 users recommend

Adding stitches and stripes is a great way to embellish a simple tote.

Sloan Howard

This basic tote is easy to create and customize.

Sloan Howard

Use a bias tape maker to create the strips.

Sloan Howard

Adding stitches and stripes is a great way to embellish a simple tote.

Photo: Sloan Howard

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This tote bag pattern offers infinite customizing opportunities. Make your own colorful stripes by sewing fabric tape to your tote. Bias-tape makers make the process a snap.

What You'll Need

•    Bias-tape maker that makes 1-inch tape
•    Cutting mat
•    Fusible interfacing, 1⁄2 yard
•    Iron
•    Lining fabric, 1⁄2 yard
•    Patterned fabrics, several types, 1⁄4 yard each
•    Rotary cutter
•    Ruler
•    Scissors
•    Sewing machine
•    Straight pins
•    Thread

1. Prepare the fabric. Cut one, 16-inch by 32-inch rectangle each from the outside fabric, lining, and interfacing. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the tote fabric. Fold the tote and lining rectangles in half to make a square, and cut a 2-inch square from the left and right corners of each piece along the folded edge. Cut two, 20-inch by 3-inch strips of fabric (they can match or contrast the tote body) and interfacing for handles.

Prepare the fabric.

2. Make the handles. Lay one interfaced handle strip face down, and press each long edge to the center of the strip. Fold the strip in half so the pressed edges align, and press again. Edgestitch along each long edge. Repeat for the other handle.

Make handles.

3. Cut and fold patterned fabric strips. Working with a rotary cutter and mat, cut five, 32-inch by 4-inch-wide strips from several different fabrics. Fold the strip in half; then pull it through the bias-tape maker, ironing as you fold the strip.

Cut and fold patterned fabric strips.

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Comments (5)

chammer writes: Cute, fun, and easy to make with you tutorial. Thanks.
Posted: 1:36 pm on May 13th

craftybegonia writes: Very cute and vibrant!
Posted: 6:44 pm on April 10th

isnessofwhatis writes: hmmm, this gives me some ideas for a version of my own.
Posted: 12:47 am on July 16th

CalPatch writes: i love this! i need to make one as soon as i get all my stash out of storage...
Posted: 11:16 am on October 3rd

janecanquilt writes: Terrific bag. Terrific instructions. I made mine with pockets on the inside lining. Phone and GPS are handy that way.
Posted: 5:38 pm on September 30th

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