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Monday, January 9, 2017

French Market Tote Bag Tutorial

We're finally getting back into the swing of things around here now that we're all healthy, the big snow storm is over and the kids are back in school.  We sure had a bumpy start to 2017!  

Back in November I shared a couple of tote bags with you and today I'm adding a step by step tutorial for the bags.  When I make tote bags I love to choose a complementary liner fabric - but with most tote bag patterns you don't get to appreciate the liner.  I designed this bag so that a strip of the liner peeks out at the top.  So go ahead and choose two of your favorite prints for this bag because you'll get to appreciate both!

 French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Supplies:  
1/3 yard main bag print
3/4 yard bag liner and handles
18" x 45" piece of interfacing (for this bag I like Pellon 809)

Cut:  
Main bag print:  Cut 2 @ 11" x 18"
Bag liner:  Cut 2 @ 15" x 18"
Bag handles:  Cut 2 @ 5" x 28"
Interfacing:  Cut 2 @ 10.5" x 17.5" and 2 @ 2" x 17.5" and 2 @ 1" x 27.5"

Step 1:  Apply the 10.5" x 17.5" piece of interfacing to the wrong side of the main bag print.  Interface the top 2" of the wrong side of the bag liner (see diagram).  Place the 2" x 17.5" piece of interfacing 1/4" down from the top and 1/4" away from each side of the liner as shown.  

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner


Step 2:  Make handles.  Fold each of the 5" x 28" handles in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together and press well.  Open and place one of the bag interfacing pieces (1" x 27.5") right along the folded line you just created.  Press interfacing in place.  

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Next, fold long raw edges of handle in to the center, and press.  Fold strap along the first fold line and press.  Raw edges of the strap should be encased inside the strap now.  Top  stitch along both long edges, and once down the center of the strap.  Set straps aside for a later step. 


Step 3:  Place main bag sections right sides together.  Using a 1/4" seam, stitch along sides and bottom of bag.   Next, place bag liner sections right sides together.  Using a 1/4" seam stitch along sides and bottom, leaving about 5" open on the bottom to use for turning the bag in a later step.  



French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Step 4:  On the top edge of the main bag piece, measure in 5" from each side and mark with a pin.  

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Open main bag section and pin handles in place, where you marked with a pin (5" from sides). 

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Handles should be pinned to the right side of the fabric, with handles hanging down into the bag.  Baste handles in place and remove pins.  

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Step 5:  To box corners, with right sides together fold corners together so that the side and bottom seams line up.  Measure down 1.5" from the point and draw a line.  Line should be 3" long from edge to edge.  



French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Sew along drawn line, and trim to about a 1/4" seam allowance.  

Repeat to box the corners of both the liner and the main bag section.

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Step 6:  Turn main bag section right sides out.  Place main bag section inside bag liner with right sides together.  Align raw edges and side seams and pin.  Be sure that bag handles are hanging down and will not be caught in the seam.   

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Using a 1/4" seam, sew all the way around the top edge of bag.  Using the 5" opening in the bag liner, turn bag right sides out.  Top stitch the 5" opening in the liner closed.  Push bag liner down inside of bag, leaving a 2' section of liner (where the interfacing is) showing on the outside of bag.  Press well.  

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Step 7:  Top stitch handles down to the liner section as shown in the photo below.  

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner

Top stitch along top edge of liner (now the top edge of bag) and along the line where the liner meets the main bag section (see photo below)

French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner


Your French Market Tote Bag is done!  


French Market Tote Bag tutorial from A Bright Corner


Looking for other bag tutorials?  Check these out:

Easy Pencil Case Tutorial 

Lined Drawstring Bag

Favorite Pouch Tutorials

Scrappy Quilted Tote Bag


32 comments:

  1. Great bag! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  2. Great tutorial, so easy to understand. Thank you. x

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  3. Looks great, thanks for the tutorial.
    djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. Very nice pattern. Thanks so much!! This may be the source of Christmas gifts for the women in my family this year.

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  5. Thank you for an easy to understand tote tutorial - lovely fabrics :)

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  6. Would you mind sharing the finished dimensions please?

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  7. Wonderful pattern, instructions and gorgeous finished product. So chuffed!

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  8. Very nice bag. Thank you for sharing it with us. I definitely gonna try this for my next project.

    Zia
    Heard about complete healing testimonies

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  9. I'm in love with that fabric! Can you tell me what it is?

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    Replies
    1. It's an Art Gallery fabric, but I'm sorry I don't know the name or designer.

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  10. Is there a video to accompany this? I am new to struggling and I have to admit, after cutting out all the pieces, I am confused on step 1. The Diagram doesn't match. I would really like to make this bag.

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  11. I've made two of these bags so far. Should I also box the corner of the lining? It seems bulky inside.

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    Replies
    1. I have the same question about whether to box the liner corners.

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    2. Yes - you should box the liner corners as well. I added a step in there now to make that more clear.

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    3. Hi Beckster - yes you should also box the liner corners. I added a step in there now to make that more clear. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!

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  12. The finished size seems an important point, but it was left out of this tutorial.

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  13. Have you ever added an inside or outside pocket? I always like a place for keys and phone!

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    Replies
    1. I haven't but that's a great idea! I think I'll add a pocket next time I make one of these.

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  14. Thank you so much. The instructions and pictures are so clear and easy to follow. I can't wait to try it out.

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  15. You missed a chunk. 1 photo shows the bag without the top grey strip and no instructions on adding it, yet on the next photo you’re ironing a grey strip and basting the handle on it. Where’s the missing chunk of instructions?????

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    Replies
    1. Hi there - the gray strip that you're seeing along the top edge of the bag is part of the bag liner. It is created when you sew the liner and the outer bag sections together. The liner is taller than the outer bag so when you turn the bag right-sides-out, the liner sticks up along the top edge of the bag a couple of inches and creates that gray "strip" that you see in the photos. Does that make sense?

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  16. gracias es muy claro de entender el proyecto

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  17. I thought this was going to be above my level. It was so easy, though! Thank you so much for the clear directions.

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  18. I use a duck fabric and Need no liner I will make adjustments to the Design love it

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  19. Is the finished tote machine washable? Or do you recommend spot cleaning only? i used Pellon 808 and it has great body! I would hate to ruin it in the wash. Thought?

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    1. Great question! You know, I've only ever had to spot clean my bag so I'm not sure what it would do in the wash. Maybe I'll try washing one of them and then add the info to the bottom of the post.

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  20. Where would I get this fabric that you are displaying?

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    1. I'm sorry to tell you that this fabric is no longer available. The floral was an Art Gallery print from years ago and I not longer have the name of the print or the name of the designer. Sorry!

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  21. Did you use a fusible interfacing? I have Annie's Soft and Stable fabric -- can I use that? Or does it need to be ironed on? Thanks. Excited to make this bag.

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    Replies
    1. I've never used Soft and Stable but I bet it would work as long as you can secure it somehow to the fabric, like by quilting it.

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  22. Hi, What are the finished dimensions of this bag? I love it!

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    Replies
    1. Approximately 17in wide by 12 in tall

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