Bug Hunter Kid’s Tote: 13.5
W”x10.5 H” x 4 D”
I promised to list some measurements for a basic tote in a recent newsletter. I decided to share the steps I used for a Kid’s Bug Hunter Tote, now listed for sale on my Etsy shop. The instructions are pretty basic for making a tote. This is a little smaller than an adult’s would be. I have not included photos for each step, but I’m assuming most sewists have made other totes and will not need them. Please feel free to email me for further explanation. I had started taking photos of each step, then “lost” them on the computer, so finished the bag without photographing. I then “found” them and decided to write up the steps with what I had anyway. I’m sure I’ll be making other bags, so will be more attentive as to where to put the photos for safe keeping. Feel free to use the pattern and check out the embroidery designers on Etsy.
Cut:
(2) 14” tall x 15” wide for
exterior fabric
(2) 14” tall x 15” wide for lining fabric
(2) 14” tall x 15” wide for foam interfacing – Pellon,
byannie, Bosal, etc.
(2) 28” long by 6” wide for straps
(2) 28” x 1.5” nylon webbing for inside of straps.
(2) 14” x 14.25” for inside slip pockets
(2) 7” x 14.25” Shapeflex 101 for inside slip pockets
(1) 6.5” x 13.5” double-sided pre-quilted fabric for
bugs pocket – allow extra size if embroidering
(1) 6.5” x 13.5” cotton fabric for bugs pocket liner
(1) 11” x 9” double-sided pre-quilted fabric for bug
hunter pocket – allow extra size if embroidering
(1) 11” x 9” cotton fabric for bug hunter pocket liner
1. Straps: Fold in
half lengthwise, then fold in sides to middle. Insert nylon webbing and fold
together. Sew 1/8” seams on either side lengthwise. Set aside to add later.
2.
Pocket: If using
embroidery, do this now on outside pocket fabric. I used double-sided pre-quilted solid fabric
from Joann’s. I also used embroidery patterns from Hug A Bug Applique on Etsy
and pesDispenser on Etsy. Embroider the small bug pockets separately, then sew
the two pockets together down the middle. Allow extra fabric for draw-up. I
used cutaway stabilizer for my hoop and décor bond fused to the back of my
pocket fabric before embroidering.
3. Trim joined
pocket fabric to 6.5” x 13.5”. Use this to cut the liner fabric for the pocket
to the same size. Iron on Shapeflex 101 to the liner before sewing to the outside
of the pocket. Stitch the liner to the outside pocket piece, right sides
together. Leave a 3-4” opening in the bottom. Turn right sides out and turn in
opening. Repeat same procedure for sewing liner to pocket for Bug Hunter
pocket. Place pocket fabric and pocket lining together right sides facing and
sew around, leaving several inches at the bottom for turning. Press the pocket
from the liner side. Close up the bottom using the iron. You will sew this
closed when attaching to the purse exterior pieces. Set aside.
4.
Purse: Cut
exterior fabrics as well as fusible foam interfacings. Fuse interfacings to
fabrics. Quilt foam interfacing onto each of the exterior pieces if desired. I
used a freestyle curvy line for mine. Trim and square up all sides, making sure
both exterior pieces match. Use one of the pieces to trim each of the lining
pieces and SF101 Shape Flex Interfacing to match the lining pieces. Iron on the
Shape Flex to the lining pieces.
5.
Cut 2” squares
from bottom corners of outside fabrics and liner fabrics.
6.
Place pockets on
exterior fabrics. Center on fabric 3 inches from the bottom of the exterior
fabric. Pin in place and top stitch around sides and bottom of pockets. This
will close the bottom openings.
7.
Place exterior
fabrics together, right sides facing. Sew along the bottoms using a ½” seam.
Open out and press seam. Stitch down along either side of the seam. I use my
presser foot for measuring.
8.
Sew up each side
using a ½” seam. Press seams open.
9.
Box corners by
bringing bottom seams to match side seams right sides together. Sew across with
a ½” seam.
10. Inside zipper pocket (optional): I didn’t add this to
this tote, but it can be used in place of one of the slip pockets. There are a
ton of really good zipper pocket videos on YouTube. I recommend this one by Sew
Sweetness: https://youtu.be/ET3IpIDq02o. I usually use the dimensions 9”x18”
for my zipper pocket and a 9” zipper. I would also recommend Sew Sweetness
Acrylic-Template-Zipper-Pocket. It’s awesome for placement.
11. Inside slip pockets: Fold over slip pocket fabrics so
that they measure 6”x17” each. Fuse Shapeflex onto the inside of one long half
of each folded pocket. Right sides together, sew together along long
open side with a ¼” seam. Turn and press. Topstitch a 1/8” seam along top folded
edge. Place on right sides of the liner fabrics 3” from the bottom with sides
of liners flush. Stitch along the bottom of the pocket using a 1/8” seam. You
can pin or baste sides onto liner if desired to hold in place until sewing the
side seams.
12. Mark pockets vertically using a ruler and a heat-erase
pen. Stitch vertically along these lines to form individual pockets.
13. Sew up bottoms of liners (right sides together) and
next sides as you did with the exterior fabric, leaving a 4-5” opening for
turning in one of the sides or in the bottom if you prefer. This will be used
to turn the purse when combining exterior with the liner. Box the bottom
corners.
14. Place straps bottoms flush with top of exterior piece
on each side, centering on the side seams. Baste in place along the top edge using
a 1/8” seam.
15. Place liner (right sides out) inside exterior (inside
out), matching side seams. Make sure straps are inside the bag so that they
don’t get caught in the seam. Sew around the top of the tote using a ½” seam
catching the straps in the seam as you go.
16. Turn all right side out using the opening you left in
the side or bottom.
17. Close the gap left in the bottom or side of the liner.
You can hand-stitch or bring sides together keeping the seam even with the sewn
part of the side or bottom. Stitch closed.
18. Position the lining inside of tote, now right side out.
19. Press the top of the purse and make sure the lining
stays inside. Top stitch around the top of the tote 1/8” from the top. Finished!
