Colourshott Bag Tutorial

Create Your Own Quilted Patchwork Tote Bag. How to Make a Quilted Bag. Quilted Tote Bag Tutorial.

 Fabric requirements:
¾ metre main colour Oakshott Colourshott
2 toning FQs of Colourshott
6” x 16” of another FQ or a feature fabric e.g. a toning batik
¼ metre medium Vilene
36” x 24” fairly firm wadding
3 x 3¼” x 11” stiffening for the base, Timtex or craft Vilene
½ metre muslin to back quilting
28” x 16” lining fabric
2 weighty beads
Matching thread & Variegated thread

For Decorated Squares Cut:
1 piece each 6” x 16” from main fabric, from both FQs and from
batik to layer together for chenille panel
Cut Vilene in half to make 2 at 13” x 6”
Cut 1 x 13” x 6” from each FQ for embroidered squares

From main bag fabric:
1 @ 32” x 2½” facing inside top
2 @ 28” x 2½” handles
40 @ 1¼” x 2½” side strips for squares
2 @ 14” x 1½” ties
2 @ 12¼” x 1½” top strips
6 @ 12¼” x 1¼” middle strips
1 @ 12¼” x 5½” bag bottom
2 @ 12¾” x 4½” side panels 

Method:
There are 32 decorated squares needed for bag front and back.

1. First make a piece of faux chenille 6” x 16” by layering four fabrics. I used the main bag fabric as the base layer and covered this with the two fabrics for the embroidered squares, topping it with a piece of toning batik. Stitch diagonal lines ½“ apart then cut through the top 3 layers. I usually wet the panel thoroughly then rub to fluff up the layers and leave to dry overnight. This is cut into 12 x 2½“ squares. 

2. Now make two embroidered * panels 13” x 6” by laying a piece of each toning FQ onto medium Vilene and stitching sewing machine patterns with variegated thread along the length. Cut each of these panels into 10 x 2½” squares.

3. Arrange your decorated squares in a pleasing pattern 4 x 4 (see bag photo).

4. Join 5 of the small strips to the sides of 4 squares to make a row, Make 4 rows for the front and 4 for the back keeping your squares in pattern order.

5. Add a top strip 12¼” x 1½” along the top of the first row then join on the other rows using the middle strips 12¼” x 1¼”. Make two bag panels and join them together using the bottom piece.

6. Layer this panel and both side panels with wadding and muslin. Machine or hand quilt. Machining makes a stiffer panel.

7. Make the handles. Fold the strips in half and press, unfold and press in ¼“ turnings on both long edges. Cut ¾” strips of wadding and tuck under one edge, cover with the other side and machine down both long edges. Decide how long you want your handles to be and trim accordingly. I like my bag to fit onto my shoulder.

8. Make the ties in the same way but without wadding. Attach a weighty bead to the bottom of each tie and trim so that the bead hangs 9” from top of bag.

9. Insert the quilted side panels by matching centre bottom of side and base of bag and pinning from the bottom to the top edges. Stitch, easing the side to fit, from the bag side so that you have more control over the corners. Sew twice for strength. Note that the bottom of the bag comes ¾ “ up the sides.

10. Dart the centre of each side by folding in half and stitching a dart that tapers away at about half way down the panel.

11. Stiffen the top facing with Vilene.

12. Pin the bag handles to the top front edges of the bag with the ties in the centre and check the length. Cover with the facing strip and stitch all round the top of the bag ¼” in, twice for strength, neatening the ends.

13. Turn facing to inside and machine round ¼” in from the top edge. It is helpful to set the machine to needle down to keep the stitching neat as you readjust your hands.

 

14. Make the lining. Measure round the bottom of the bag to check the size; add 1” for seam allowances. Then measure the inside from the facing down and up to the facing again and add 1” for seam allowances. Remember that the top is smaller because it has been darted.

15. Fold the lining in half RS together and machine up the sides, tapering the seam inwards at the top.. Flatten the bottom across the seam to make triangles and double stitch across 2” up from the bottom point then cut off the excess fabric.

16. Layer the Timtex or Craft Vilene and stitch together. Place into the bottom of the bag or if preferred cover with fabric and place in the bag after the lining is inserted. (This makes it easier to wash the finished bag).

17. Drop in the lining and check the fit. Take the lining out again and turn under then drop in again and push into the corners. Finish by stitching the lining to the top facing by hand.

18. Knot the ties together and enjoy your bag. It is just the right size to drop FQs in when shopping at quilt shows!
 

Heather Hasthorpe

 

*If you have no patterns on your machine you can decorate your squares by stitching coloured threads (Oliver Twists make lovely hand-dyed threads) along one panel and making a grid of 10 squares on the paper back of fusible web and drawing a spiral in each square.  Fuse to the other panel and cut out. You will need an extra contrasting fabric – here I used a scrap of cream silk – and if you cut out carefully by folding across a line you can use both the foreground spiral and the background to make a counter change pattern.