French Market Tote Bag Tutorial

We're finally getting back into the swing of things around here now that we're all healthy, the big snow storm is over and the kids are back in school.  We sure had a bumpy start to 2017!  

Back in November I shared a couple of tote bags with you and today I'm adding a step by step tutorial for the bags.  When I make tote bags I love to choose a complementary liner fabric - but with most tote bag patterns you don't get to appreciate the liner.  I designed this bag so that a strip of the liner peeks out at the top.  So go ahead and choose two of your favorite prints for this bag because you'll get to appreciate both!

 

Supplies:  

1/3 yard main bag print

3/4 yard bag liner and handles

18" x 45" piece of interfacing (for this bag I like Pellon 809)

Cut:  

Main bag print:  Cut 2 @ 11" x 18"

Bag liner:  Cut 2 @ 15" x 18"

Bag handles:  Cut 2 @ 5" x 28"

Interfacing:  Cut 2 @ 10.5" x 17.5" and 2 @ 2" x 17.5" and 2 @ 1" x 27.5"

Step 1:  Apply the 10.5" x 17.5" piece of interfacing to the wrong side of the main bag print.  Interface the top 2" of the wrong side of the bag liner (see diagram).  Place the 2" x 17.5" piece of interfacing 1/4" down from the top and 1/4" away from each side of the liner as shown.  

Step 2:  Make handles.  Fold each of the 5" x 28" handles in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together and press well.  Open and place one of the bag interfacing pieces (1" x 27.5") right along the folded line you just created.  Press interfacing in place.  

Next, fold long raw edges of handle in to the center, and press.  Fold strap along the first fold line and press.  Raw edges of the strap should be encased inside the strap now.  Top  stitch along both long edges, and once down the center of the strap.  Set straps aside for a later step. 

Step 3:  Place main bag sections right sides together.  Using a 1/4" seam, stitch along sides and bottom of bag.   Next, place bag liner sections right sides together.  Using a 1/4" seam stitch along sides and bottom, leaving about 5" open on the bottom to use for turning the bag in a later step.  

Step 4:  On the top edge of the main bag piece, measure in 5" from each side and mark with a pin.  

Open main bag section and pin handles in place, where you marked with a pin (5" from sides). 

Handles should be pinned to the right side of the fabric, with handles hanging down into the bag.  Baste handles in place and remove pins.  

Step 5:  To box corners, with right sides together fold corners together so that the side and bottom seams line up.  Measure down 1.5" from the point and draw a line.  Line should be 3" long from edge to edge.  

Sew along drawn line, and trim to about a 1/4" seam allowance.  

Repeat to box the corners of both the liner and the main bag section.

Step 6:  Turn main bag section right sides out.  Place main bag section inside bag liner with right sides together.  Align raw edges and side seams and pin.  Be sure that bag handles are hanging down and will not be caught in the seam.   

Using a 1/4" seam, sew all the way around the top edge of bag.  Using the 5" opening in the bag liner, turn bag right sides out.  Top stitch the 5" opening in the liner closed.  Push bag liner down inside of bag, leaving a 2' section of liner (where the interfacing is) showing on the outside of bag.  Press well.  

Step 7:  Top stitch handles down to the liner section as shown in the photo below.  

Top stitch along top edge of liner (now the top edge of bag) and along the line where the liner meets the main bag section (see photo below)

Your French Market Tote Bag is done!  

Looking for other bag tutorials?  Check these out:

Easy Pencil Case Tutorial 

Lined Drawstring Bag

Favorite Pouch Tutorials

Scrappy Quilted Tote Bag