Thread: Advice about making tote bags please

This is the spring side of my tote. Finished size 14"x18"x4". Sorry I couldn't rotate.

That's what I do. I made my own pattern, using outside and backing the same with cotton batting. I then made the lining out of a pretty contrasting print, making pockets on the lining. After stitching the bag and the lining together, I turned the lining in, matching up the seams on the sides and then hand-tacked the lining to the bag itself. Before I completely put in the lining, I put a zipper in the top of the bag, then turned the lining inside. and using a decorative stitch, stitched along the top. That was a really thick sandwich, and I broke three needles getting around the bag! LOL! It was a one-of-a kind I made for my cousin in Oklahoma, and it also had cartoon-type kitty cats appliqued on the outside of the bag! The handles I made of self-fabric, lined with fusible pellon, stitched and turned right-side out (turning them was a real pain in the neck! I then did the multi-stitch on each side of the straps and in the center. My cousin loves it and smacks any hands seeking to touch it! Ha! LOL!

Jeanette