LET'S SEW A SIMPLE REVERSIBLE TOTE BAG
by
Carol Woetzel
Have your mom or grandma go with you to a store that sells fabric. P.S. making your bag reversible covers the ragged edges. You will actually make two bags (one goes inside the other).
For one bag you will need:
One yard of a rather tough fabric, burlap, ticking, drapery lining. If you buy white, you can decorate (stencil) the outside when completed.You can make your bag any size, but try this size for starters: 14 inches long by 12 inches wide. You'll need to cut your length 28 inches so you can fold in half (top to bottom). Also cut exact size of your muslin.
One yard of a printed fabric (muslin is fine) for your reverse side.
One yard of matching ribbing/webbing (found in the notions section of a fabric store) for the handles.
Fold your 28-inch piece in half facing to the inside. Sew 1/2 inch seam from top to bottom. Do the same on the other side.
On the top fold in a quarter inch and sew to the inside a narrow hem round the top.
Put your hand on the inside of your bag, spread with your fingers in the corner and flatten nut to form a sort of triangle. Seam side out - measure to make sure your seam is centered (use 6-inch ruler). Make pencil marks 3 1/2 inches from corners and sew across. Trim off top of "triangle". Repeat on the other side. See sketch below.
Repeat all of the above with your piece of muslin.
Tuck your completed muslin piece into your white "jacket" (which has been turned right side out) insides facing each other. Pin top edges down about an inch on both jacket and muslin. Then pin inside edges of jacket and muslin together. Pin your ribbing (handles each 16 - 18 inches) in place between jacket and muslin. Make sure they line up exactly. Sew jacket and muslin together.
To make sure all holds together firmly, turn bag to reverse and sew another seam about a half inch from your top seam.
You can have fun stenciling your jacket side. Purchase stencils and brushes from a craft store. Use acrylic paints and a very stiff bush. Use paint sparingly as the paint tends to "bleed". Also permanent marking pens are available for small areas. You can stencil a message like "I love you" on your bag. You might like to add your initials.
Do wear "everyday clothing" as these paints don't wash out. Good Luck!
