Quick and Easy French Seams Tote Bag

 

Hello lovely makers, happy Friday to you all!

I think it's quite obvious by now that tote bags are one of my favorite things to sew. And today I'm going to share with you one of the easiest totes ever 😊.

All you need to make this unlined bag is just a 1/2 yard of medium to heavy weight fabric (canvas, denim, home decor, or even waxed canvas) and some webbing for the handles and you're good to go.

I love that the French Seams make for neat, finished edges and the bag is super light but sturdy at the same time. 

I keep one of these totes in my purse in case I need to pop in the shop real quick. They also make great library bags, or just simple everyday tote bags.

These bags finish at approximately 14'' wide X 16'' tall but the nice thing is you can use the instructions I provide in my YouTube tutorial to make bags of many different sizes.

Here's the link to the tutorial if you want to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcikcfc97Qc

Happy sewing, friends!

Svetlana

Chubby Tote Bag (free video tutorial)

 

Hello lovely makers, I hope your week is off to a good start.

A little while ago I designed this wonderfully roomy, easy to sew Chubby Tote Bag for my YouTube channel and ever since then I've loved using these cuties as my shopping bags. They are just the right size to put your groceries in but not so large that you struggle to carry them 😂. 

FINISHED SIZE: 11'' wide on bottom X 11'' tall X 6'' deep

When I first designed these totes I used leather handles as I really love the classy look they add to pretty much any bag. But, I like options, so I tried to make some Chubby Totes with fabric handles and I love this all washable version equally as much.

I used canvas and cotton/linen prints for both the exterior and the lining of this bag and I added a layer of Pellon SF101 interfacing to my exterior panels which makes for a soft, but sturdy bag.

I think I'm going to make a few in Merchant and Mills dry oilskin next. Or maybe in waxed canvas? Oh, the possibilities 😀😀. I have to raid my stash to see what I have on hand.

I hope you'll enjoy making (and using) these cuties as much as I do.

Click here for a link to a free Chubby Tote Bag tutorial.

And here for a tutorial on how to make your own Fabric Handles.

Happy sewing, friends!

Svetlana

Portland Tote (tester versions)

 

Hello everyone!

As promised, I'm back to share the beautiful Portland Totes my super talented pattern testers created. I love how different these bags are, and how well they represent each of the maker's style.

Let's get to it, shall we?

Dorothy @casoncreativedesigns on IG created this beautiful Portland Tote. I love the fabric Dorothy chose as well as the fabulous details she added to her adjustable strap. 

I love this travel inspired bag sewn by the lovely Fani @faninoulika on IG. So sweet, and would definitely make a lovely handbag to be taken on trips.

Next we have this stylish bag sewn by the incredibly talented Priscilla @cottonstitchcollective on IG. 

And here is a lighter version of the bag. I love them both so much, isn't Priscilla just so very clever with her fabric choices? Love, love, love.

This pretty Portland Tote sewn by Vicki @vpquilter on IG makes me smile every time I look at it. Such a happy bag, and I love that Vicki quilted the main body of the bag to give it some extra stability. 

Last, but definitely not least, we have this beautiful low volume bag sewn by my lovely friend Ingrid @inghelhoe. Such a classic little number. Just beautiful!

*  *  *  *  *

What do you think, friends? Are you as impressed as I was when I saw all these beautiful creations?

I'm grateful to each and every one of these amazing ladies for testing my pattern and making such gorgeous bags along the way. 

You can purchase my Portland Tote pattern here . And don't forget, you can still get the pattern at a 25% off introductory price (sale ends at midnight, tonight Feb. 4th).

Wishing you all a happy and creative day. 

Svetlana

Portland Tote (new pdf pattern)

 

Hello lovelies,

I have a brand new bag pattern to share with you today! I hope you will like this Portland Tote as much as I do.

This bag design has been on my mind for a very, very long time so a few months ago I finally sewed it up and made a bag for myself (using Merchant and Mills dry oilskin for the exterior) . I've been using this bag every since and I couldn't be happier with it.

With its large front exterior pocket, zipper and slip pockets on the inside, as well as a main zipper closure to keep everything safely inside, it's absolutely perfect to be used on a daily basis. I think 😊.

Finished size of this bag is: 11'' tall x 12'' wide on bottom x 4'' deep.

I used canvas and cotton/linen prints for my bags and I just love how easy it is to customize this bag. I like how it looks sewn up using just one fabric, but I also really like the contrasting pocket version.

*  *  *  *  *

PLEASE NOTE!
 This is a measure and cut pattern meaning there's no need for templates as all the pieces are cut using a rotary cutter, a self healing cutting mat, and an acrylic ruler for added accuracy.

This bag is suitable for an intermediate (or maybe an adventurous advanced beginner) level sewist and here's the list of materials needed to make a Portland Tote: 

(fabric requirements are based on 42'' wide fabric)
*FABRIC A (main exterior) – 3/4 yard
**FABRIC B (lining) – 3/4 yard
***FUSIBLE INTERFACING – 2 yards
one (1) - 14'' long METAL OR NYLON ZIPPER
one (1) - 9'' long METAL OR NYLON ZIPPER
two (2) – 3/4'' wide x 13'' long strips of LEATHER or WEBBING for handles
one (1) – 1'' wide x 46'' long COTTON OR NYLON WEBBING for the strap
two (2) – 1'' wide D-RINGS
two (2) – 1'' wide SWIVEL HOOKS
one (1) - 1'' wide rectangular STRAP SLIDER
one (1) – HEAVY DUTY SNAP CLOSURE or KAM SNAP (optional)
ten (10) – 6-8 mm RIVETS (optional)

*FABRIC A – Essex linen, canvas, linen/cotton blend prints, denim, home décor fabric
- waxed canvas or oilskin could also be used, skip adding interfacing if using either of these
**FABRIC B – quilting cotton or canvas
***INTERFACING – my favorite is Pellon SF101 or Vlieseline G700
- Pellon Fusible Fleece could be used for the exterior panels instead if you prefer a squishier, more sturdy bag

What do you say? Would you like to make your very own  Portland Tote ? You can purchase the pattern by clicking here.

And, now through Thursday, Feb. 4th., you can get the pattern and an introductory price of EUR 6.00 (25% discount).

Buy This Pattern

Happy sewing, friends! 

I'll be back later this week to share photos of some absolutely gorgeous Portland Totes created by my lovely pattern testers.

Svetlana