Tote Bags
How to plan, make & customize
Plan, Make & Customize the Best Totes Ever Are you ready?! By doing a few thoughtful things, you can take your sewing projects up a notch, and really pack them with personality! First, you’ll need a solid plan of action. To get you started, we’ve got a simple tool to help you organize your design ideas and materials. Next, brush up on tote-making basics following our easy sewing tutorial. Finally – and here’s the really fun part – bring your design ideas to life using creative combinations of Dritz hardware and finishes. You’ve got unlimited options when it comes to mixing and matching our fasteners and hardware, and making bags that truly are one-of-a-kind fashion accessories!
Fabric Swatches
The Details Sketch It Out
For each bag, pick your fabric and attach a swatch to the design sheet. Pick hardware and a handle material that complements the color, feel and style of the fabric’s pattern. Draw out placement and make notes. Do you like our design sheet? Flip the page for your free copy!
DESIGN PLAN:
Tote Bags Attach your fabric swatch.
Hardware Notes:
Beginner Sewing:
My First Tote What You’ll Need
Dritz supplies: • 1 yard of 1" polypro belting (#28062) to match fabric • Ezy-Hem® gauge (#617) • Mark-B-Gone™ marking pen (#676-60) • Fray Check® liquid seam sealant (#674) • Point turner (#636) • Jean-a-ma-jig™ (optional) (#915) Omnigrid® supplies: • 6" x 24" ruler (#R24) • Cutting mat and rotary cutter (#2050 & #24WG) Other supplies: • 1/2 yard of canvas fabric (this is enough to make 2 bags) • Iron and pressing surface • Lighter or candle • Thread and basic sewing supplies • Sewing machine
1.
Use your Omnigrid mat, rotary cutter and ruler to cut two 14" wide x 16" long pieces of canvas fabric.
2.
Press top hem on each fabric piece. Press 1/2" to wrong side first. Fold a second time and press a 1" hem. The Ezy-Hem gauge makes this step quick and easy.
3.
Cut two 18" lengths of polypro belting. Seal ends with a quick pass through flame. This will prevent the ends from raveling. Don’t melt the belting too much or it will form a thick bead.
4.
On each fabric piece, open top hem. Position belting ends even with hem edge and 3 1/2" in from each side. Use an Omnigrid ruler to help position belting. Make sure the belting is not twisted and pin in place. Baste belting ends at 1/2" crease.
5.
Pin pieces, right sides together, making sure 1" creases are matched up. (Mark crease with marking pen to help line them up.)
6.
Stitch along sides and bottom with 1/2" seam allowance. Pivot at corners. TIP: To help pivot at the right spot, mark 1/2" from sides and bottom at corners. Pivot stitching where the marks intersect.
7.
Trim corners. Zigzag stitch or serge raw edges of seam allowances together. Apply Fray Check to trimmed corners. Turn tote right side out and press. A point turner will help to push out the corners.
8.
Eliminate bulk in the top hem. To do so, clip seam allowances at 1" crease. Fold seam allowances in opposite directions when closing hem.
9.
Fold top hem along creases with handles down and inside of tote. Stitch hem without catching loose handles. You can use a Jean-a-ma-jig™ to help stitch over the seam bumps.
10. Fold handles up and
pin in place. Stitch along top edge of tote catching handles in stitching.
11. Tip: Here’s something
that’s good to know: for extra security, you can stitch an “X” over the handles in the top hem.
NOW ADD
Personality using Dritz hardware Turn page for
inspiration.
Boning (#569-9) adds structure to the sides & top of your bag.
Apply eyelets (#730-33-T) to add a unique pattern to the front of your bag.
Add a leather tassel to match your straps using a swivel hook (#512-33).
Add a fun corduroy pocket & jean button (#4-38) to front of bag.
Magnetic snaps (#762-35) are easy to apply & super functional.
Overall buckles clever strap fasteners.
(#6-38) make
Use a sew-on magnetic snap (#759-38) to close your tote.
Pick a thread that pops with your fabric to sew on the snap & leather label (#757). Add a colorful pompom using a small swivel hook and D-ring (#728-65).
Take your basic tote & create a fold-over bag with the help of a couple grommets (#1-65) & a carabiner (#514) closure. Carabiners, grommets & rivets (#750-65) are also a fun way to attach the strap.
A denim flap helps the front pocket stand out.
Carabiners (#514) & white fashion grommets (#740-9-T) add a cool, unique detail at the pocket and strap.
A denim corner accent creates feature space for a leather label (#757).
Add detail to your straps with lots of rivets (#750-65), a couple D-rings (#117-114-65) & cotton belting tabs (#28601-25).
Add fashion grommets (#740-1-T) that match your fabric colors.
Cotton belting the perfect handle & accent strap.
(#28600-1) makes
A parachute buckle (#490) adds an edgy element.
An interior tab with belting (#28602-3) & a D-ring (#117-1-32) is perfect for hanging your keys or other accessories.
Triangle rings a space on the front of the bag to hang sunglasses.
(#738-32) create
An off-center pocket with a rivet (#750-32) detail is perfect for holding your cell phone.
Trim pockets with fold-over elastic (#9389B) in a color that accentuates your fabric.
Expandable mesh pocket is ideal for carrying a water bottle.
Add suspender/mitten clips (#108-1) to the ends of your straps (#28602-51) for a clever attachment.
Use boning (#569-9) to provide structure on the top of your bag.
Leather side detail & lots of hardware adds impact.
Fashion D-rings (#118-38) add sophistication to your tote bag.
Experience the power of making with Dritz tools and accessories. You’ll use Dritz products for all kinds of DIY efforts – sewing, quilting, crafting, home decorating, and needlecrafts. Basic tools like pins and needles are must-haves in your supply box. Fashionable hardware pieces such as rings and rivets let you express your personal style.
Get acquainted with all that Dritz has to offer and take your making to the next level. We have education that shows you how, inspiration that makes you want to take action, and communities that are fun to hang out in. Follow along today!
Prym Consumer USA Inc. 950 Brisack Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303 www.prymconsumerusa.com 1-800-255-7796
We used Art Gallery Fabrics 100% cotton canvas for all of our tote bags.
©2022