Living Room Sewing -- Ruffled Tote

My sewing room is rather toasty in the summer months. I slid the kitchen table into the living room and set up shop until the weather turns. Today’s project: ruffled tote in yellow floral.

I used the nifty Tote Bag Calculator to quickly get the right fabric dimensions for sewing the tote size I want.

Details

Fabric: 100% cotton from Joann’s.

Pattern: I used the Tote Bag Calculator to get the fabric dimensions and changed a few things to add the ruffle. If you haven’t tried it yet, give her a whirl!

Mariana Linen Jacket

It’s more fun to wear clothes you make yourself.

Details

Pattern: Mariana from Fabrics-Store. They have a treasure chest of nice free patterns.

Photos: Courtesy of Mom. Thanks Mom!

Fabric: Outer layer is softened linen in the emerald color also from Fabrics-Store. Lining is from a an old tablecloth from Goodwill.

Fabrics-Store asked if I would do a guest post tutorial on how to add lining to this jacket for their blog. You can find the full tutorial I put together here.

Floral Puff Sleeve

Floral puffs from my sewing machine last summer.

Details

Fabric: 100% cotton from the lovely Fabrics-Store.

Pattern: Self drafted and inspired by a dress I borrowed from a friend for a NYE party.

Also… nature has the best puff sleeve inspiration — Grape Hyacinth.

Puff puff puff

Grape Hyacinth growing along the sidewalk — puff sleeve inspiration.

Check out these puff sleeves I made recently.

Tote Bag Calculator

Type the finished tote bag dimensions you want and the fabric size is automatically calculated. Be sure to fill out all fields for the calculator to produce accurate pattern dimensions.

Note: This calculator contains a constant for a double fold hem around the top — 1/2” (1.5 cm for centimeter calculator) first fold and 1” (2.5 cm) second fold.

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Instructions

These instructions are for a simple unlined tote bag.

Fabric recommendations: Woven, non-stretch fabric from hefty canvas to lightweight quilting cotton.

All seam allowances are 3/8” (1 cm).

Note: The dimensions used in these instructions may not reflect what your pattern pieces look like. Depending on the dimensions of your tote, your “Height” may be shorter than the “Length” — unlike these illustrations.

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1) Cut one piece of fabric with the dimensions provided by the Tote Bag Calculator.

2) Fold the “Height” side of the fabric in half with right sides together. Sew both sides with 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance).

Finish seams with serger or zigzag stitch.

3) Push the bottom corners into a triangular shape.

4) Make sure the side seam is positioned directly in the center of the triangle. Use a ruler to draw a line where the width of the triangle is the width entered into the Tote Bag Calculator. Sew along the line.

5) Trim to 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance. Finish seam with serger or zigzag stitch.

6) Fold the top of the tote 1/2” (1.5 cm for centimeter calculator) down toward the wrong side and press.

7) Again fold the top of the tote down 1” (2.5 cm) and press.

8) Cut two lengths of webbing or cord for handles. Place the ends under the 1” (2.5 cm) fold and clip or pin in place.

If you could see through the top fold of fabric, the handle position should look about like this.

9) Sew all the way around 1/8” (3 mm) from the bottom edge of the fold.

10) Flip the handles up and sew bartacks over the cord or webbing.

11) Turn the tote right side out and admire your creation!

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If you enjoyed this, you may also enjoy the Pouch Pattern Calculator. It works the same way as the Tote Bag Calculator. Enter the length, width, and height of your desired pouch and it will calculate what dimensions to cut the fabric.