Flowery Large Tote Bag Tutorial

  - 1.5 m medium weight cotton or similar
  - Scraps of cotton fabric
  - Fusible interfacing (optional)
  - Usual sewing supplies
  - Flower templates >> Click Here to Download the Flower Templates

If your cotton scraps look like they might fray quite a lot, you might like to use some fusible interfacing. Iron this to the wrong side of the scraps before cutting out.

1. A 2 cm (3/4-inch) seam allowance is included.
    
2. For the main bag piece, cut a rectangle 52 cm x 120 cm (20-1/2 inches x 47 inches).
    
3. For the handles, cut 2 pieces 45 cm x 10 cm (17-3/4 inches x 4 inches).
    
4. Using the flower templates, cut one each of the circles and the stem, and 6 flowers. I used 2 different prints for the leaves, and different fabric again for each of the circles and the stem.

Decide how you would like the circles arranged. I left a small gap at the bottom between the larger circle and the middle-sized one, and lined up the bottom edges of the middle-sized circle and the smallest.

1. Starting with the larger and middle-sized circles, applique the circles together. Then add the smaller one. I used a straight stitch; you could use a zigzag if you prefer.

2. Take your main bag piece and pin the flower 10 cm (4 inches) down from one of the short edges and in the center. Applique the flower to the bag.

3. Now arrange the stem and the leaves under the flower. When you are happy with their arrangement, pin them in place, then applique them to the bag.

1. Fold the bag section in half with the wrong sides together. Sew the side seams. Trim and press.
    
2. To make the corners, press the bottom edge of the bag firmly with your finger.
    
3. Take one of the corners and squash it so that the side seam is lined up with the bottom edge.
    
4. Measure up 6 cm from the corner and pin at right angles to the seam.

5. Sew across the corner and cut it off.

6. Do the same with the other corner.
    
7. To hem the top edge, fold it over 1.5 cm (1/2-inch), then fold it over again. Pin, then topstitch the hem, keeping close to the lower edge.

1. Take one of the handle pieces. Fold it in half lengthways and press the fold with your finger.

2. Open it out, then fold the long edges into the center.

3. Fold the handle in half again so that the raw edges are contained inside. Pin, then sew, keeping close to the edge.
    
4. I like to sew along the other side as well to keep things symmetrical.

5. To sew the handles to the bag, find the center point of the top edge of the front of the bag. Pin the ends of the handles 8 cm (3 inches) either side of the center, on the inside.

6. Sew the ends of the handles to the hem of the bag. I sewed them at the top and bottom edges of the hem. Backstitching over the stitches will reinforce the handle.

7. Trim away any stray threads and your bag is ready!

Anna learnt to use a sewing machine at the age of 10 and hasn't looked back! She lives in rural Norfolk in the UK and can be found online at Tea and a Sewing Machine, where she shares her love of making things.