Sunday 24 June 2012

Tidgy Tote Tutorial

Happy Handmade Monday to everyone!
This Monday's offering is a very simple tutorial for a tidgy tote bag that can be made from a fat quarter. Big enough for a knitting project, or purse, phone and keys or just perfect for a little person. You could even use them as party bags.
Pickle-Lily and I started making them to use up leftovers from her cushion making,  the fabric in the tutorial is one I picked up in my travels.
 So here goes ....
 
Cut out from your fat quarter four 23cm by 23cm squares. In my tutorial I've used plain cotton for lining so you can see the different parts, you could do the same or use another fat quarter and make two co-ordinating bags. Fold the rectangle that is left in half to make two handles, short end to short end, and cut down the fold.
Fold and pin handles in half length ways, good side in.
Now seam along the raw edges, turn right ways out (the trickiest bit) and press flat.

Now, lay out the outside bag piece, good side up, and pin the handle 4cm from outside edge on both ends.

Then pin a lining piece on top of this. Do the same with the other outer, liner and handle.
Now seam along the pinned edges, then open out and press seam open.

Now, lay out, one side good side up and the other good side down, with the two fabrics matching, pin and sew around the rectangle, leaving a gap in the lining at the bottom for turning through.
Turn through and seam across the opening. Tuck the lining inside the outer and press flat.
A Tidgy Tote!
Have a good week!

Jo x

P.S. Don't forget to enter the Surprise Giveaway.

22 comments:

Wendy said...

How cute - such a good tutorial too x

Myth Illogical said...

It's a very cute bag indeed, I'm sure my daughter would love one- she's mad about little bags, but at three years old she already has twice the bags I have at thirty!

Christmas Pie Crafts said...

A very good tutorial - many thanks. Owls are certain in at the moment. Hope you have a good week.

Anonymous said...

Great tutorial and that tote bag looks very nice :-)

fatmonica said...

It's a gorgeous little bag,and I love your clear instructions too.I need to get myself into gear and actually try and make one!

Anonymous said...

Love the material. The bag is cute and I could probably mange to make one myself .... if I had the time that is.

Nicki Tustin said...

great tutorial I really like the owl fabric

Jan said...

I hope you are all having a better week this week... I was at A&E on Monday with my son and a very painful purple ankle, luckily it's not broken..... things never change.

Love the tutorial, it looks really easy to follow, thank you

Jan x

Helen said...

I love that owl fabric! Great tutorial too!

Free Spirit Designs said...

very cute bag :) and you're right - so many possible uses!

Unknown said...

That is so lovely! I didn't know what a fat quarter was until recently (not being a sew person) I thought the craft world had gone mad :-). Brill tutorial and a gorgeous bag.

Hope you have a lovely week x

Handbags by Helen said...

Such lovely fabric

lovetartan said...

Thanks for a great tutorial! Love the fabric you have chosen. Mich :)

Carolee Crafts said...

The owls have it this week, great tute

Unknown said...

I could have so done with this tute a couple of weeks ago as I had to scale down a bag to do a mother and daughter set... love the fabric:)

Anonymous said...

That's gorgeous! My daughter would love one of these, and given all my lovley new fabric I don't think I have an excuse not to make one!

Kazies Magical Designs said...

lovely fabric for this tutorial and i hear owls are really back in fashion at the moment xxx

Highland Monkey's said...

Thanks for taking the time to post a tutorial. Liking that owl fabric very much and what a good way to use up smaller bits of material

Cuckoo said...

You clever bugger. You've done a great tute. I think even I could rustle up one of these!

xxx

Unknown said...

Brilliant ;-)) dee x

Fiddly Fingers said...

What pretty owl fabric. A useful tutorial, thank you :)

FeltByRae said...

Love it, have bookmarked it so I can make one for my bestest friend... she loves bags as much as me!