The BIG Tote

 Hey guys! I am a wee bit late in getting this post out to you (with a coupon at the end) We went out of town and we tore our house apart the week before we left so it has been a few weeks of total chaos and we had really spotty wifi on vacation so I felt totally disconnected from everything, which I am not going to lie it was kind of nice to just unplug, but now I am way behind on posts, picking a giveaway winner and emails (sorry if you are waiting to hear from me) Anyway Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts contacted me about working with some new fabric from the HGTV Home Decor fabric line. Seeing how I buy about 80% of my sewing and crafting supplies from Jo-Ann (it’s literally around the corner from my house) I of course could not say no to the opportunity. They sent me two of the fabrics from the line to work with and come up with a fun project. The fabric is a sturdy home decor fabric so it was perfect for making a big tote bag since I knew it would be durable and I needed a big “carry all” bag. (everything else I used was purchased by me from Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts)

 I wanted a leather/pleather bottom and I picked up some awesome faux leather in the remanent bin last time I was there which was perfect. I also used a large zipper, and some rope trim from the trim section for handles. I started by cutting large rectangles out the size I wanted my bag to be (and the length of the zipper across the top) I cut the outside layer a little short so I could make the bottom of the bag from the faux leather.

 Then I started by sewing the faux leather to the outside pieces so they were now one large piece the same size as the lining.

 Then sandwich the zipper between the lining and the outer piece. The zipper should face the outside piece not the lining (I had to unpick and re-do that…it happens)

 Then open that up flat and do the same with the other side of the zipper sandwiching it between the lining and the outer.

 Then with the lining right sides together and the outside pieces right side together sew along the outside edge skipping over the center where the zipper is, and leave an opening in the lining so you can turn it all right side out. (ignore the fact that the pictures are jumping all over the place and remember that we are tearing the house apart so I was moving where ever I could work for a moment 🙂

 Then so that the bag stands up flat, box out the corners by folding the corner and then sewing a straight line across.

 Turn the tote right side out and hand stitch closed the opening in the lining.

 Next I added the handles by cutting out little curved pieces from the faux leather and then sewing the trim down in the piece.

 Lastly to reinforce the zipper end and fasten it down I added a faux leather tab and then stitched it down in place with the zipper ends tucked in.

 Then I had a nice BIG tote that is lined and cute and can hold everything but the kitchen sink.

 The fabric is amazing to work with since it is so durable and will hold up really well to lots of use.