Mini Market Tote :: a tutorial
A few weeks ago, I mentioned the possibility of a tutorial for my market tote, a bit late :p but I finally managed to put it together – my first tutorial in 2010 – an adorable mini market tote^0^
Materials:
- Fabrics:
- Outer fabric I (I used a bicycle fabric, cotton & linen blend)
- Outer fabric II (I used red, purple and cream coloured stripes)
- Lining fabric (I used sky blue and white checks)
- Sew-in interfacing (I used bamboo batting)- you can use iron-on interfacing if you prefer
- Twill tape, 2 strips, 15″ each
- 2 small buttons
Fabric cutting instructions:
Take note when using directional prints – all measurements read height x width
- Outer fabric I:
- Cut 2 pieces 9″ x 10 3/4″ (Piece A & B in the photo below) for body
- Outer fabric II:
- Cut 1 piece 8.5″ x 10 3/4″ (Piece C) for body
- Cut 2 strips 15″ x 1 1/4″ for straps (Strip F & G)
- Cut 1 piece 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ (Piece D) for pocket
- Lining fabric:
- Cut 1 piece 25 1/2″ x 10 3/4″ for lining
- Sew-in interfacing:
- Cut 1 piece 4″ x 5″ (Piece H) for pocket
- Cut 1 piece 25″ x 10 1/4″ (Piece I) for body
Seam allowance: 1/4″
Step 1: Strap
Fold the fabric strips (F & G) like the picture below.
Pin each fabric strip on to a piece of twill tape of the same length.
Top stitch.
Step 2: Pocket
Place interfacing (Piece H) over pocket fabric (Piece D) wrong side up, like the picture below.
Stitch along the top, middle and bottom of interfacing as shown in the picture, you can baste the interfacing onto the fabric first. And if preferred, you can use iron-on interfacing instead.
Fold pocket fabric, right side together and pin.
Sew around the 3 edges, leaving an opening to turn over.
Turn the right side out and close the gap using ladder (blind) stitch.
Step 3: Outer fabrics
Pin fabric piece A and C right side together and stitch the width edge (shown by the brown line). Do the same with fabric B and the other edge of fabric C. If you are using directional prints, note that C is the bottom of the tote.
Press seam open. Now you should have a piece of fabric same size as the lining (Piece E), now refer to as the outer fabric.
Step 4: Lining
Pin and baste interfacing (Piece I) onto lining (Piece E) using a contrasting thread. Do 3 straight stitches running the length of lining, equal distance apart.
Use a seam ripper to remove basting. Do another 3 straight stitches running the length of the lining as the picture below. Again, it is perfectly fine if you wish to use iron-on interfacing.
Pin and stitch (shown by the black line in the picture below) pocket onto the right side of lining – 3 3/4″ below the shorter edge.
Step 5: Putting things together
Pin lining and outer fabric right side together (don’t forget the straps* – see next picture), stitch the two shorter edges (shown by the brown line – sorry I couldn’t fit both ends into the picture).
*When pinning strap in place, the two ends should be 3 3/4″ apart. Also note that the the right side of the strap is to face the right side of the outer fabric. Please leave about 3/4″ of the strap extruding like the picture below.
Press seam open and place it like the picture below. Stitch the side edges(shown by the brown lines) leaving a 4″ opening to turn out.
Pinch the corner out (only the lining fabric) – much like origami!!^0^
Draw a line 2″ from the corner and stitch! Do the same for the other corner.
Trim off the corner.
Turn the bag right side out and close the opening using ladder (blind) stitch.
Similar to the lining, pinch the corner out, fold up and pin in place. Sew the corner “point” with a cute button – see the small picture below.
Lastly, we need to strengthen the bag handle. Draw a mark like the one in the picture.
Stitch!
Step 6: DONE!!!
Quite a long post! I hope these instructions are clear!
And I hope you like this tutorial!! ^_^
Thank you very much for reading!!!
:: FAQ ::
Where do you get that beautiful linen/cotton bicycle fabric?
I got mine from Pink Chalk Fabrics, but looks like they ran out! However you can also get it from Cotton Blue on Etsy.
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Lovely tote! The tutorial is a great! I need to try to make one for my little one.
wow, this is so cute, definitely on my list to bust my stash
oooooooooooooo lovely tutorial for a super duper cute bag.
thanks.
Too cute — thanks for sharing your talent.
Love this. It looks really in depth. Posted a link on my blog.
I really appreciate all the lovely details on your bag — especially the little buttons on the folded-up bottom. you’ve elevated the simple tote. Lovely, and thank you.
wonderful! thanks!
Adorable!! Love your choice of fabrics!
how very lovely
thanks!
I love the detail of the button at the end of the origami fold… Well, and the fabric with the bikes is gorgeous..
Great tut, thank you!
Lovely bag! Thank you for the inspiration!
Very cute! I likey!
Really cute. I love the button detail. Great, specific directions…thank you.
Love it! I’ve tried two or three times to make a tote, but could never get the base or the handles to turn out right. Thanks for having such detailed instructions. This time I’ll get it for sure!
-Holly
You have a gift for tutorials!
Seriously, I LOVE it. Thank you!
JoJo, I want you to know that the only thing I have every sewn before were pillows and today I just finished your tote!!! I am so excited and so grateful. Your tutorial is FANTASTIC. I was just following you step by step and now I have a cute little tote. Thank you so much!!
Lovely! Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to get started
Great post! Thanks for sharing. I really would like to get my hands on some of that cotton/linen bicycle fabric. I assume it’s Japanese fabric? Can you share your source? Thanks much
hi jo,
i was looking for an email address, to send you a photo of my self-made market tote. it turned out soo cool! So instead, i use this way to say thanks for the tutorial, will defenitely use it more often. i’d be happy to send you a photo, just drop me a line (cant believe i actually made a photo, i guess i m really satisfied!)
you have a lovely blog, which will be added to my favorites for sure!
nelleke.
Hello, I have only started my adventure with sewing and this is exactly what I want to make!!!! I’m a gardening blogger really but thought I best get into sewing as I had a fabulous sewing machine bought for me at christmas off my santa list. Lovely blog!!
Awsome, thank you.
I LOVE your tutorials, thank you!
great tute! really clear and fun to follow
This is so cute! I love it!!