A fully lined tote bag with a top zipper and outer pockets.

Included are a
materials list (including specific recommendations), yardage requirements, cutting
info, written instructions, and a link to the step by step video tutorial. The Bag
finished approximately 10 x 4 x 12 inches.

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Materials Needed-
* 2-3 fabrics – (I chose a medium weight cotton denim for the outer and quilting cotton for the

lining and pockets)

* 15+ inch zipper

* Fusible fleece (I used THIS one.)

* Medium weight fusible interfacing (I really like THIS one)

* You will also need basic sewing supplies, a rotary cutter, rotary safe glove, acrylic rulers, and a rotary

safe mat. You can find my favorites HERE.

* Pocket fabric – 1/3 yard or a fat quarter

* Lining fabric – 1 yard

* Fusible fleece – 1 yard

* Interfacing – 2/3 yard

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Cutting Instructions-
Prewash all fabrics before cutting.

* Bag outer and lining – (2) 15 x 15 inches outer and (2) 15 x 15 inches lining

- Cut a strip 15 inches tall from outer and lining fabrics. Then sub cut to two pieces

15 inches wide from each.

* Pockets (accent and lining fabric) – (2) 8 x 10 inches accent and (2) 8 x 10 inches lining

- Cut a strip 10 inches tall from lining fabric. Sub cut to two pieces 8 inches wide.

- Feel free to fussy cut accent fabric to display a specific portion of the

fabric's print. Cut with the desired design higher on the piece because the lower

2.5 inches of the pocket will be on the bottom of the bag when completed.

* Zipper sides (lining fabric) – (2) 5 x 11 inches

- Use the remaining section of the 10 inch strip to sub two 5 x 11 inch pieces

* Straps (outer and lining fabric) – (2) 2.75 x width of fabric outer and (3) 2.75 x width of fabric lining

- Cut the noted number of strips from each fabric from selvage to selvage. The

completed straps will be 54 inches long so the lining fabric will need to be pieced

which accounts for the extra strip needed.

* Zipper tabs (lining fabric) – (2) 2.25 x 3 inches

- Cut from the leftover pieces

* Bag stabilizer (fusible fleece) – (2) 14.5 x 14.5 inches

* Interfacing – (2) 5 x 11 inches and (2) 8 x 10 inches

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Sewing Instructions-
– Use a half inch seam allowance on all seams unless otherwise noted and backstitch at the beginning and

ending of each seam.

– A size 16/100 needle or a denim needle is recommended for this bag.

– Fuse interfacing to the pocket accent pieces and zipper side pieces according to the package directions. Fuse

fusible fleece to the outer body pieces.

– Match the pocket pieces up in sets of two (one accent and one lining) and sew along the top edge.

– Open up each set and fold so the pretty sides are all on the outside. Press the seam and top stitch.

– Place one pocket on a bag outer piece lining up the bottom edges. Measure to make sure it is centered.

– Pin/clip the layers together and sew along the sides and bottom with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Repeat for the

second bag outer piece and remaining pocket.

– Cut one strap lining piece in half and lay each shorter piece right sides together with a remaining longer piece. Sew

along the short end to attach.

– Open and top stitch to have two long strap lining pieces. Cut all the strap pieces to an exact 54 inch length.

– Match the strap pieces up in pairs (one outer and one lining) right sides together. Sew one long side of each set.

– Open and fold so the pretty side is on the outside and press. The seam should be running along the side.

– Turn each remaining long edge in by a half inch so the raw edges are tucked in between the layers and press. Clip

the layers together as you go.

– Lay one strap on the bag so one short end lines up with the bottom edge, goes up and comes back around for the

other short end to line up at the bottom. The long edges should be covering the raw edges at the sides of the

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 pockets.

– Place a large pin on the strap about one inch above the top of the pocket. Do this for both ends of both straps.

– Sew along the open long side of the strap from one of your markings to the other. Then top stitch the other long

side between the same points. Repeat for the second strap.

– Position the straps on the bag the same way as before. This time measure to make sure the outer edge of the

strap is 3 inches from the edge of the bag on each side and covering the edges of the pocket.

– Add pins and clips then sew up the straps on both sides and across a time or two at the marking.

– This allows the straps to be secured down nicely to the lower portion of the bag with the upper portion free to

move around as needed and everything is nicely top stitched.

– After both straps are sewn on lay the bag outer pieces right sides together and sew along the sides and bottom.

– Stand the bag up and press the corner down so it forms a point. Use an acrylic ruler to mark a line 4 inches

across perpendicular to the side seam.

– Sew directly on the marked line and trim away the excess seam allowance. Repeat for the second corner.

– Turn this piece right sides out.

– Lay the lining pieces right sides together and sew the sides and bottom - but leave a 6-8 inch opening in one side.

– Box the corners the same way as they were done with the bag outer.

– Turn each long edge of the zipper side pieces in by 3/4 inch and press.

– Mark a half inch in and down from each top edge. Fold each piece in half so the right sides are inside and sew

from the bottom fold to the marking on each short end.

– Trim the seam allowances and turn right sides out. Press to make a nice crease at the folded bottom edge.

– Match the folded edge up of the zipper side pieces up with the raw edge at the top of the bag outer. Measure to

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 make sure the pieces are centered and sew with a quarter inch seam allowance.

– Bundle up the strap on each side and clip so it stays out of the way.

– Place the bag outer inside the lining so they are right sides together. Match up the top edge and side seams.

– Clip together and sew all the way around the top

– Reach in through the opening left in the lining and turn the entire bag right sides out.

– Sew a top stitch to close up the opening in the bag lining.

– Slip the zipper between the layers of the zipper side piece. It should be side piece (with folded in edge) – zipper

– other side. (This step is hard to explain so please refer to the video for better understanding.)

– Sew across the edge to attach the zipper to the side piece.

– Make sure to position the fabric far enough away from the zipper teeth for the zipper tab to be able to slide past.

– Unzip the zipper and repeat with the other side of the zipper and the side piece. Sandwiching the zipper between

the layers and top stitching to attach.

– Trim zipper down if needed (do not cut shorter than 15 inches).

– Fold the short ends of the zipper tabs in by a half inch and press.

– Fold entire piece in half right sides together and sew along the short ends.

– Trim down the seam allowance and turn right sides out. Repeat these steps for the second tab.

– Slip one tab on each zipper end and top stitch to attach.

– Your zipper tote bag is complete! Take a pic and share it with me on Facebook or Instagram!

CLICK HERE T O WATCH THE STEP BY STEP T UT ORIAL!

*Anything purchased through the Amazon links above help support more great Whitney
Sews tutorials.!*

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