Rather than spending money on a new, plastic bucket that will get thrown away each Halloween and Easter, why not make a kid-sized tote bag that will last for years?
Supplies:
Fabric 1 (main body fabric): two pieces 11″ h x 12.5″ w
Fabric 2 (liner and band): two pieces 14″ h x 12.5″ and two pieces 3.5″ h x 12.5″ w
Webbing: 22″ each strap or 1.25 yards for one bag
Fusible Fleece or Light/Medium Fusible Interfacing: two pieces 14″ h x 12.5″ w
1. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, place the 3.5″ strip on top of fabric 1 and straight stitch right sides together (RST). Iron the seam toward the darkest fabric. Repeat for the other 3.5″ strip and fabric 1. These are now your outer bag pieces.
2. Iron your outer bag pieces to your interfacing.
3. Place the outer pieces right sides together and straight stitch down both sides and the bottom. Make sure the seams are nice and flush. Use Wonder Clips or pins to hold the fabric in place while sewing.
4. Using a ruler and water soluble pen, draw a 1.5″ square on each corner of the bottom. Carefully cut the corners out.
5. Open up the square and place right sides together, butting up the seam. Straight stitch along the seam. Fix the stitch or back-stitch at the beginning and end.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for the bag’s inner lining.
7. Add the straps to the outside pieces. Measure 2.5″ from each side seam and pin the raw edges in place. Use a small seam allowance to temporarily baste the strap in place.
8. Flip the liner right side out and flip the outside piece inside out. Place the liner inside the outer piece. Use Wonder Clips or pins to hold the raw edges together and to ensure the side seams of both the outer bag and inner lining are matched up.
9. Increase your seam allowance to 1/2″. Straight stitch all the way around the top, leaving a 2.5″-3″ opening for turning right side out. Fix the stitch or back-stitch at the beginning and end. It helps to start and stop sewing between a set of straps.
10. Flip the bag right side out through the opening.
11. Iron the lining and outer pieces flat. Be careful not to touch the iron to your webbing!
12. Stuff the liner inside the bag. Set your seam allowance smaller than 1/4″ (I move my needle as far to the right as the foot will allow). Top stitch all the way around the top of the bag. Fix the stitch or back-stitch at the beginning and end.
Customize the fabric to suit you best! This bag would be perfect for Easter egg hunts, Christmas gift bags or for overnight stays at Grandma’s. Since each bag takes about an hour, it is easy to have one for every season!
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