Make a Quilted Tote Bag with Batik Charm Squares
Make a cute, quilted tote bag with this tutorial. Use precut charm squares to create the structure for it and fat quarters to line it. Padded handles make it comfortable to carry.
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Materials used:
- Batik Charm Pack
- Batting
- Fat Quarter Bundle
- Cord
This is the process in a nutshell:
Creating the body of the bag
Start by sewing your charm squares together in this shape. The 8 x 2 sections will be the sides of the bag and the 3 x 1 section in the middle will be the bottom of the bag. Use a quarter inch seam and press your seams to the side as you go.
Cut batting 1/4" smaller than finished size of the outside layer of the purse, and use a decorative stitch/variegated thread to stitch in the ditch along each seam.
Creating the lining for your bag
Cut out your lining fabrics using your outside piece as a template. I used two different batik patterns. I made the straps as described by the Inspired Wren here.
Fold in and sew up the sides and bottom of the lining.
Sew up the sides and bottom of the outside of the bag.
Make some cording as described here. I used my fat quarters for this, too.
Add your cording to the outside of the bag. Once the cording has been sewn on, sew your straps in place over the cording.
Now add the lining. Keep right sides together here, and leave an opening through which to turn the bag. I used pins to hold the fabric together and clips to mark the section I was going to leave open. Once you have turned it right side out, use an invisible stitch to close it up.
And you're done! Enjoy your new quilted tote bag!
