Hi everyone,

Happy Tuesday! This week, we’re showing you how to make a fun tote bag, with a band of pom-pom trim for a little extra pizzazz. Big enough to act as an overnight bag, this playful tote is an optimistic nod toward spring when it’s sewn up in blossom-colored cottons like the ones from our Pastel me More cotton collection.

Click “more” for the full tutorial!

Other tools & supplies

– 2/3 yd of pom-pom trim
– paper printer
– basic sewing supplies:
– sewing machine
– needle & coordinating thread
– iron & pressing surface
– scissors, fabric shears & pinking shears
– straight pins
– fabric marker

Notes

1. Please wash, dry & iron your fabric before beginning.
2. Unless otherwise directed, sew all seams with a 1/2” seam allowance.
3. Make sure to include all notches when cutting your fabric.
4. RST = Right Sides Together

Cutting

1. Print the Pom-Pom Tote Template PDF at 100% size. Measure the Test Square on page 1 to make sure your pattern was printed at the correct scale.
2. Trim the pattern pieces along the marked borders, and join them according to the numbered triangles. Cut out the pieces.
3. Fold your Shell and Lining fabrics in half RST, bringing the (2) selvages together. Cut (2) Tote Body pieces from each, cutting through both layers at once so that (1) layer is reversed.
Note: the strap with (2) notches at its top is slightly narrower than the strap without notches.
4. Cut (1) 9” x 13” rectangle from the Shell fabric, and another from the Lining. These will be the Bottom pieces.
5. Cut (1) 8-1/2” x 12” rectangle from each Pocket fabric (C – E).
6. Cut (1) 24” x 3” strip from the Binding Fabric (F).

1. Fold & press (1) long edge of each Pocket piece inward by 1/4”, Wrong Sides together. Repeat for the second edge of the Fabric D piece.

2. Sew the Pocket pieces together along their long edges as shown, with a 3/8” seam allowance from the folded edges. Press these seams open.
3. Topstitch 1/8” from either side of each seam, trapping the raw edges of the fabric.

4. Pin the pom-pom trim to the Right Side of the Pockets unit so that the bottom of the band is 1/2” from the top edge of the Pockets. Topstitch in place with a basting stitch.

5. Fold & press the Binding strip in half lengthwise, Wrong Sides facing, and unfold.

6. Fold & press each long edge to the center crease.

7. Fold the strip in half lenghthwise and press.

8. Align (1) long edge of the Binding with the top edge of the Pockets, with the Right Side of the Binding against the Wrong Side of the Pockets. Pin & sew in place, along the crease line nearest to the top edge, taking care that the pom-poms are out of the way of the seam.

9. Wrap the Binding around the top edge of the Pockets and tuck the remaining raw edge in toward the Pockets’ top edge. Topstitch the Binding 1/8” from its folded edge.

Assembly

1. Baste the Pockets to the bottom of (1) Shell Body piece with a 1/4” seam allowance. The Wrong Side of the Pockets should face the Right Side of the Body.
2. Topstitch the Pockets to the Body, directly over the (2) seams joining the different Pocket fabrics.

3. Sew the Shell Body pieces together at the sides, RST. Do the same for the Lining Body pieces. Press these seams open.

4. Mark the center of each edge of your (2) Bottom pieces.

5. Pin each Bottom piece to its corresponding Shell, RST, with the marks on the Bottoms’ longer edges aligned to the notches on the Shells and the notches on the shorter edges aligned with the Shells’ side seams. Begin pinning at these points and work your way out to the corners.
When you come to each corner, you’ll have a tiny triangle of extra Bottom fabric – trim this before sewing.

6. Sew the Bottoms to the Shells, making sure the Shell fabric isn’t bunching as you sew around the corners. To keep your work smooth, periodically lower your machine’s needle, lift the presser foot and rearrange the fabric as needed. Then lower the foot and go on sewing.
Note: We find it’s easiest if you insert your pins from the Bottom, and sew with the Bottom fabric uppermost.

7. Trim your seam allowance to 1/4” with pinking shears.

8. Fold the end ot the no-notch strap inward by about 1/2” and press.

11. Fit the end of the notched strap into the folded strap and topstitch in place, 1/8” from the folded edge.

8. Turn the Shell Right Side out and fit it into the Lining, RST. Sew the (2) layers together around their curved edges, leaving a 4” gap at the bottom of (1) curve for turning. Don’t sew across the tops of the straps.

9. Trim your seam allowances to 1/4” with your pinking shears, and turn the tote through the gap. Press the edges, turning the edges of the gap inward so they’re in line with their neighboring seam allowances.

10. Fold the end ot the no-notch strap inward by about 1/2” and press.

11. Fit the end of the notched strap into the folded strap and topstitch in place, 1/8” from the folded edge.

12. Topstitch around the tote’s curved edges with a 1/8” seam allowance, making sure that the raw edges of the gap are tucked away neatly.

If you decide to give this tutorial a try, we’d love to see! You can send your pictures toinfo@camelotfabrics.com or tag us on Instagram! Have an awesome day!!