Knitting with friends and Bag #5 – a tote tutorial

Despite the lack of knitting progress photos, I've been knitting. Whisper is past the 40% mark and so far it is but white, soothing stocking stitch. I got curious why the 3 skein rating from Rowan and read on. Then I realise there're lots of finishing to be done. Besides that, I think the third skein is probably for this: "Right collar – Work to match left collar, reversing position of tuck pattern." There are tons of shaping for the left collar, guess I'd better tackle this on a night when my head is clear.

I had great fun meeting up with old knitting pals and making new friends on Saturday. I had the pleasure of meeting Susan who is living and working in Hong Kong right now and Kimberli who is visiting. We sat and attracted some stares and smiles at a rather crowded Starbucks, there were 8 of us! Some of us were busy knitting squares for Kimberli to bring back to the US to make blankets for Katrina victims. As an attestation of how fast Eva knits, during the time when both Marjorie and I could finish one square each, she finished two! And Vivian told me about great fabrics and notions find in Shamshuipo and we might even make a trip there this coming weekend. I can't wait! I need to get the fabric to make a bag for my backtack pal becuase I can't seem to find the right stuff and pattern right now.

And I've been sewing too. I would love to share with you the interpretation of the pattern which I used for the simple tote #2 from this book. There are only 3 lines to sew, believe me. My sil saw me sewing it and couldn't put it down so I gave it to her. Click here for the instructions and lots of pictures.

The materials: Lining fabric (orange and white gingham), outer fabric (beige linen), interfacing, brown canvas handles (the same fabric as the outer fabric can also be used to make the handles), button and button loop.

Before cutting, determine the size of the bag you want. Assuming that you would like your bag to be 42cm wide (W) and 32 cm tall (H) with a 10 cm base (B), then the fabric and lining should be cut to the below measurement:
Total width (TW) = [W + 1.5 cm (side seam) + 1.5 cm (side seam)]
Total height (TH) = [(H + 1 cm (top seam) + 10 cm (B)]

Fold the fabrics (the outer, lining and interfacing if you intend to add that) into half such that the fold will be the bottom of your bag. Measure and cut out a rectangle TW x TH. I cut out two pockets too.

Cut out also and 2 stripes of interfacing measuring Wx3 cm for reinforcing the top edge of the bag and iron these to two top edges of the lining 1 cm from the top and 1.5 cm in from the sides. Iron down the top seam. If you want to attach a magnetic snap, attach it now. Iron on the interfacing to the outer fabric (optional, if your fabric is strong enough, you may not want to do this).

Prepare the base of the bag (repeat for outer fabric and lining) This part is a bit difficult to describe in words but not difficult, I hope you can what I mean. With right sides facing, mark out the 10 cm base from the fold line and find its mid point (in this case is 5 cm) and mark out.

Push in the fabric from the fold line until the 5 cm line is now your base. There will be a hill (which is the previous fold line) and two valleys (which are the 5 cm mark on both sides).

Now that the bases of the fabric and linings are folded in, place the lining on top of the outer fabric, pin and sew the two side seams. If you like pockets, sew them on before this step.

Turn the bag right side out.

Slip the handles between the outer fabric and the lining and pin them in place along the top edges, if you intend to put a button loop, pin it in place too. Now, top stitch and viola, you get your bag! Choose your type of fastening, in this case I opted out the button and button loop which was present in the first photo as I've done it before and wanted to experiment with something else. So I sewed in a big press-stud instead.

Bag is now complete. The pocket looks really wonky here, I did a terrible job with the pocket and I'm sure anybody could attach it than I. The 'hill and valleys' of just now is to create this nice base with a triangle which I love. Let me know if any part is unclear.

Comments

[Agnes]

Very detailed tutorial! I am keeping myself from buying a sewing machine! No more time! LOL!

[amanda]

great tutorial! and you make it very hard to not run out and buy myself a sewing machine :O)

[Jennifer]

Thank you for the tutorial. I can now use it, because I got a sewing machine over the weekend!!! Yes!!!

[erin]

Pretty fabric. I miss the people's park fabric shops - wonder when the renovations will be complete and when the shops will be back.

[joy]

I've always wondered how to do that corner on the totebags. Neat! And there's leather in Shamshuipo. It would be interesting to try putting leather straps on your bags.

[lauray]

Great bag! Good tut! Thanks!

[esther]

hi, can i ask how do you attach the magnetic snap usually, without stressing the fabric? Thanks.

[mimi]

Wow! You are also talented with sewing skills! Great Tote!

[Eva Shiu]

Nice bag ! The 2 fabric match each other well. 2 day ago, I've tidy up my patchwork books. There are many nice patterns for bag. When can you come to my place to have a look of them ?

[Jackie]

Very pretty! I love the fabrics you are using. I sure do wish I could find that book! Do you know the title in English?

[eyeleen]

Another beautiful tote! I love all the fabrics you are using.