CONSTRUCTION:
STRAPS:
Fold each of the straps in half lengthways with right sides together and sew down the long side. Turn the straps right way out, press and topstitch along the edge of each side and press the ends under. Put aside.
POCKETS – Assemble the pockets with or without a zipper as below options; pockets can be in main fabric or lining
Pocket option with zipper:
Overlock the edge of the pocket bearer and the edge of the pocket marked “attach zip”.
With right sides together sew one side of the zip tape to the pocket bearer, and the other side of the zip tape to the pocket edge. Turn to the right side and topstitch along the edge of each seam on the side of the fabric.
Fold the pocket bag along the “fold line” marked on the pattern with right sides together. The top edges should match. Sew down the side edges of the pocket bag and neaten with overlocker/serger. Turn to the right side and press.
Pocket option without a zipper (the pocket bearer pattern is not needed):
Neaten the edge of the pocket opening, we suggest overlocking the edge and sewing a 2.5cm (1”) hem with 1 or 2 rows of topstitching. Alternatively, you can double turn the hem to finish 12mm (½”).
Fold the pocket bag along the “fold line” marked on the pattern with right sides together. The hemmed edge will be shorter. Sew down the pocket bag edges and neaten with overlocker/serger. Turn to the right side, press and topstitch.
SIDE POCKETS
Neaten the top edge of the pocket and with right sides together turn the pocket top over to the inside, press and stitch down with a top stitch.
With right sides facing sew the lower edge of the side pockets to the side panel matching the notches, turn the pocket upwards, topstitch along the base of the pocket and pin the pockets to the side panels. Stay stitch/baste the sides of the pockets to the edges of the side panels.
Sew the bottom edge of (A) to (B), neaten with overlocker/serger and press downwards.
Sew the bottom edge of (C) to the top edge of (D), neaten with overlocker/serger and press downwards.
Sew the bottom edge of (E) to the top edge of (F), neaten with overlocker/serger and press downwards.
Sew the finished (A)/(B) panel to finished (C)/(D) panel. Neaten with overlocker/serger and press to the side.
Sew the finished (C)/(D) panel to finished (E)/(F)panel. Neaten with overlocker/serger and press to the side.
Repeat for the other side of the bag.
CONTINUATION
With right sides together sew the bottom of the side panels to the short ends of the base panel. Neaten with overlocker/serger and topstitch on the side of the base for stabilising.
With right sides together sew the joined side/base panel edges to the main bag edges around the entire edge matching the corners and centre notch at the bottom. Keep the needle down, lift the presser foot, clip into the corners when turning. Neaten with overlocker/serger if you are not adding lining. Repeat for other side.
TOP OF THE BAG FINISH OPTION WITH NO LINING
Overlock/serge the top edge of the bag, then press the wide top turn over at the fold line towards the inside. Pin into place and secure the inside pockets under the edge as marked on the pattern.
Topstitch around the base of the facing with 2 rows. You may prefer to turn the edge of the facing under instead of overlocking/serging the edge.
TOP OF THE BAG FINISH OPTION WITH LINING
Assemble the lining in the same way as the main steps. Leave an opening in the base of the lining to enable the bag to be turned out. Then with right sides facing pin the top edges of the outer bag and lining together inserting the inside pocket edge as marked on the pattern. Tip – turn both bags inside out and place the lining inside the main bag. The pockets need to be placed hanging down between the 2 layers with the zipper/opening side against the outer layer. Sew around the top edge matching the side panel seams
Turn the bag out to the right side and check the pockets are in the correct position. Fold the outer along the line marked on the pattern to form a wide facing and topstitch along the side of the facing with 2 rows. Sew up the “turnout” opening.
ATTACHING THE STRAPS AND COMPLETION
Attach the straps in a square box with an X as marked on the pattern turning the edges of the ends to the inside and stitch up the opening in the lining. Your tote bag is finished.
