FRENCH SEAMS TOTE BAGS

CUTTING

One fabric tote bag:

Bag: 2 pieces measuring 34cm x 42cm

Straps: 2 pieces measuring 8cm x 50cm

Two fabric tote bag:

Bag: Top fabric- 2 pieces measuring 34cm x 28cm

Base fabric- 2 pieces measuring 34cm x 18cm

Straps: Top fabric- 1 piece measuring 4.5cm x 50cm

Base fabric- 1 piece measuring 4.5cm x 50cm

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1 - One fabric: With right sides facing, pin and stitch the base and side edges together with a 1cm seam allowance. Clip base corners and trim seams to 5mm wide. Turn bag wrong way out and press seams flat. Stitch seams again 1cm in from pressed hidden seams. To make double hem on the top of the bag, press under 1cm along the top open edges, then press under another 2.5cm. Pin hem in place.

Two fabrics: With right sides facing, pin and stitch the base and top pieces together with a 1cm seam allowance. Trim seam to 5mm wide. Turn fabric wrong way out and press seam flat. With right sides facing, stitch seam again 1cm in from pressed hidden seam. Press seam down towards the base.

Optional: Top stitch on the right side of fabric 5mm below the seam.

Repeat with other side of bag pieces.

Construct bag pieces together as per one fabric bag.

Step 2 - Straps - One fabric: Press under 1cm along both of the long edges of both of the strap fabric pieces. Press straps in half aligning long pressed edges. Pin and sew in place by top stitching along both long edges 5mm in from the edge. Press straps flat.

Straps - Two fabrics: With right sides facing, pin and sew the long edge of one of the top fabric and base fabric strips with a 1cm seam allowance. Press seam open. Repeat with other two fabric strips.

Continue to make the straps as per the one fabric instructions.

Step 3 - Measure in 8cm from side edge of bag, and insert the outer edge of one raw end of a strap by 1cm under the double hem. Pin in place. Loop strap around and in the other raw end in the same manner, 8cm in from the other side edge of the bag. Pin in place. Bring strap upwards, and pin strap in place to upper edge of bag. Top stitch double hem in place, by stitching 5mm in from the top pressed edge and 5mm in from the base pressed edge of the hem, securing the placement of the straps within the stitching.

Repeat with the other handle on the other side of the bag.

Turn bag right way out and press all seams flat.