For a durable and stylish tote, pair cotton canvas from the French Court collection with a black print from the Maze collection, both from Timeless Treasures Fabrics.
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Inspired by French Accent from designer Laura Jaquinto

Project tester: Mary Pepper

Materials

  • 3/4 yard black print (handles, bag bottom, piping)
  • 1/2 yard tan-and-black canvas print (bag front and back, facing)
  • 7/8 yard tan tone-on-tone (lining)
  • 1-1/4 yards fusible fleece, such as Pellon #987F
  • 1/2 yard fusible web
  • 1/4 yard heavyweight stiff interfacing, such as Timtex (bag bottom)
  • Denim needle for sewing machine

Finished bag: 15-1/2x15x6-1/2"

Quantities are for 44/45"-wide, 100% cotton quilting fabrics and 55/56"-wide cotton canvas.

Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Cut Fabrics

Cut pieces in the following order.

Cut tan tone-on-tone 18-3/4x22-1/2" rectangles with 22-1/2" length parallel to the selvages.

From black print, cut:

  • 2--6-3/4x22-1/2" rectangles
  • 2--3/4x22-1/2" strips
  • 2--3x22" strips

From tan-and-black canvas print, cut:

  • 2--12-1/2x22-1/2" rectangles
  • 2--1-3/4x22-1/2" strips

From tan tone-on-tone, cut:

  • 2--18-3/4x22-1/2" rectangles
  • 2--7-1/2x15-1/2" rectangles

From fusible fleece, cut:

  • 2--18-3/4x22-1/2" rectangles
  • 2--3x22" strips

From fusible web, cut:

  • 2--7-1/2x15-1/2" rectangles

From interfacing, cut:

  • 1--6-1/4x14-3/4" rectangle

Prepare Handles

1. Following manufacturer's instructions, fuse a fleece 3x22" strip to wrong side of each black print 3x22" strip.

2. Sew together long edges of a Step 1 strip to make a handle (Diagram 1). Turn handle right side out and press, centering seam on underside. Repeat to make a second handle.

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3. Topstitch with three evenly spaces lines of stitching on each handle.

Assemble Bag Body

1. Fold each black print 3/4x22-1/2" strip in half, wrong side inside, to make two flat piping strips (Diagram 2).

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2. Place a tan-and-black canvas print 12-1/2x22-1/2" rectangle right side up on a work surface. Aligning long raw edges, layer a piping strip on the rectangle (Diagram 3). Baste in place a scant 1/4" from long raw edges.

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3. Referring to Diagram 4, lay a black print 6-3/4x22-1/2" rectangle right side down atop Step 2 unit. Align a long edge with piping edge; stitch through all layers. Finger-press rectangles open, pressing seam toward black print rectangle. Topstitch 1/8" from seam to make bag front.

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4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make bag back.

5. Sew together side and bottom edges of bag front and back to make bag body (Diagram 5). Press seams open.

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6. To shape a flat bottom for bag body, at one corner match bottom seam line to side seam line, creating a flattened triangle (Diagram 6). Measure and mark on seam allowance 3-1/4" from point of triangle. Draw a 6-1/2"-long line across triangle, and sew on drawn line. Trim excess fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat at remaining bottom corner. Turn bag body right side out.

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7. Referring to Diagram 7, pin raw ends of one handle to one long raw edge of bag body; make sure handle is centered. Sew handle ends to bag body a scant 1/4" from bag's edge. Repeat with second handle and remaining long raw edge of bag body.

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Assemble Lining

1. Following manufacturer's instructions, fuse a fleece 18-3/4x22-1/2" rectangle to wrong side of each tan tone-on-tone 18-3/4x22-1/2" rectangle.

2. Sew together side and bottom edges of fused rectangles. Using tip of iron, carefully press seams open to make bag lining.

3. Shape a flat bottom for bag lining as in Assemble Bag Body, Step 6. Leave lining wrong side out.

Finish Bag

1. Sew together short ends of two tan-and-black canvas print 1-3/4x22-1/2" strips to make a circle.

2. Fold under 1/4" along one edge of circle. Stitch 1/8" from folded edge to make facing.

3. Insert bag lining into bag body with wrong sides together and raw edges aligned; handles should be on outside of bag. Slide facing over bag body, aligning raw edges; stitch through all layers (Diagram 8).

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4. Turn facing to lining side. Hand-stitch folded edge of facing to bag lining.

5. Following manufacturer's instructions, fuse a fusible web 7-1/2x15-1/2" rectangle to wrong side of each tan tone-on-tone 7-1/2x15-1/2" rectangle. Remove paper backings. Fuse a prepared rectangle to each side of interfacing 6-1/4x14-3/4" rectangle. Let cool, then trim fabric edges close to interfacing to make bag bottom. Insert bag bottom into bag to complete bag.