Try it Thursday

Oh what is in a tote?? Totes are practical for so many things. Lu & Ed is my tote inspiration! The Monster Totes are completely EPIC! (If you need something for trick or treating, you need one of her totes!) So, I decided to make my own reversible tote to carry my craft supplies. And here is how I did it. 

Supplies:

·         Half yard of two different fabrics – may need less (I rather over estimate then under)

·         Sewing machine

·         Coordinating thread

·         Iron

·         Ruler and/or rectangle template ( I used part of a cereal box)

First you are going to cut out your rectangles. You need four total. I have two of my solid and two of my print. You also need to cut out four strips for your handles, again, two from each fabric. My handles are 3inches wide and 22inches long. Now the cool part of this tote is it is customizable to your likes. If you like longer handles add a few inches to the handle and if you prefer a larger tote adjust your rectangle. It is completely up to you! 

You are going to sew three sides of your rectangle on both your solid and print. Make sure you place them ‘right sides together’. Which means – print against print. Making sure to leave a small opening for turning later. Iron all seams flat. 

    

Then you pair up your stripes for the handles. Again right sides, together sew a long tube, leaving an end open for turning. Once turned and ironed flat, sew the open end closed. And sew ¼ seam around the all four edges to keep it strong and flat. 

  

Lay your handles on one of your sewn rectangles wear you want them and pin them. Remember, right sides together. The photo show my print side up because I matched my solid to my solid for ‘right sides together’.

Now you put the rectangle with the pinned handles inside the other rectangle and pin the upper edges. Pinning the handles between the two different fabrics.  Make sure to pin you side seams together so the sew flat and pin all the way around the top to keep your edges level. Sew around the top edge. 

 

Remember, I told you to leave a small opening for turning – now is the time to use that opening.

Pull your tote through the small opening you left in one of your rectangles. And iron the tote flat.

  

To help stablize your tote and handle do a ¼ stitch around the top edge. And sew closed your small opening from your turning. Iron the tote one final time and there you have it! Your very own Reversible Tote you made yourself!

     

And there you have it!! I do hope you enjoy making your own tote!! If you do, please, send me a picture at kiserkrafts@yahoo.com!! I'd love to see them!!

~Kelly~