Giant Patchwork Tote Sewing Tutorial! - Beginner Friendly Charm Pack Tote Bag, by Maggie Lamphear - Joy in the Seam on YouTube. 17 min 44 s.
- Video length
- 17 min 44 s
- Time to do it
- 3 to 4 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Lay out your charm squares into a pleasing arrangement for the front and back panels. Aim for panels about 27.5 x 22.5 inches before trimming.
Sew the squares together in rows with a 1/4 inch seam, then join the rows into two panels. Press the seams as you go.
Layer each pieced panel on a batting piece and quilt it. Use straight lines on the machine or big stitch hand quilting with perle cotton.
Trim each quilted panel to 27 x 22 inches. Cut a 4.5 inch square out of both bottom corners of each panel.
Cut two lining rectangles to 27 x 22 inches and cut the same 4.5 inch corners out of both.
Place each quilted panel right sides together with a lining piece and sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the cut corners open.
Sew the cut corner edges together on both the outer bag and the lining to form the flat base. Turn the outer bag right side out.
Pin the webbing handles in place on the outer bag, about 4 to 5 inches in from each side seam. Baste and sew them securely with a box and X stitch.
Slip the lining inside the outer bag with right sides together and sew around the top edge, leaving a gap for turning. Turn the bag through the gap and topstitch the opening closed.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a walking foot or lower your machine speed when quilting through batting to stop the layers shifting.
If your lining is quilting cotton, add fusible fleece to give the bag more body.
Sew the handle ends twice and add a box and X stitch so they hold the weight of the bag.
Keep your seam allowance at 1/4 inch throughout, or the panels will not line up when you join them.
Questions
Can I use a layer cake instead of charm packs?
Yes. Cut 5 inch squares from layer cake pieces. You will have extra squares for a second tote or another project.
Do I have to hand quilt the panels?
No. Machine quilting with straight lines works well and is faster. Hand quilting with perle cotton gives a big stitch look.
How much lining fabric do I need?
You need 3/4 yard of non directional fabric. If your lining print has a direction, buy 1 1/2 yards or two 27 x 22 inch rectangles.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
