Make A Block Printed ToteBag

Thanks for stopping by. If you recently grabbed my free guide called “Basic Block Printing Information / Sew A Block Printed” you came to the right place.

Here are the details on making this wonderful little tote.

First you will need sewing supplies:

• Fabric – 2 colors, 1/2 yard each or 2 fat quarters for the outside/same color/pattern & 2 fat quarters for the lining/same color/pattern
• Interfacing – I like using Pellon SF101
• 1″ Polyester or cotton webbing – 2 yards
• Sewing supplies – thread, pins, scissors, etc
• Iron and ironing board

Next you will need block printing supplies:

• Lino handles and cutters
• Ruber brayer
• Speedy Carve Block
• Fabric block printing ink ( Or you can buy a kit that has the items above, including the fabric ink )
• Flat re-usable / washable inking surface
• Cutting mat and metal ruler
• X-Acto knife or cutting blade
• Pen, pencil and Sharpie
• Kraft paper to protect your work surface

Last, here are the steps to making the tote:

1. Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of your fabric. ( for a more sturdy bag, iron interfacing to both the interior and exterior )
2. Place and pin pattern onto the fabric. Cut out 2 main and 2 lining pieces.
3. Place main pieces on top of each other, right sides facing. Pin. Place into sewing machine and stitch side seams and bottom together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Repeat for lining pieces. Press seams. Open seams and press again.
4. Create boxed corners at all 4 corners. Wiggle bottom to meet side seam. Sit seams directly on top of one another. Place quilting ruler on top and line up at the 45 degree mark and 1″ up from point. Mark a line with the disappearing fabric ink pen. Repeat for each corner. Place into sewing machine and stitch following the line.
5. Cut off the tip. Leave a 1/2″ seam allowance. Want to learn more? Check out my quick tip tutorial on sewing boxed corners.
6. Turn main bag right side facing out. Leave lining right side facing in. Place the lining into the main bag and wiggle corners into place. Pin along top edge.
7. Lay bag flat on working surface. Hand press wrinkles out. Measure along front along front curve and add 1″ to each side. Cut webbing to the length of the front curve. Cut 2 pieces ( 1 for back and 1 for front )
8. Cover center front raw edge with the webbing. Pin and place into sewing machine. Edgestitch webbing along the center front.  Backstitch. Repeat for center back. Trim the ends off.
9. Create the continuous strap – start at one side seam and cover the raw edge with webbing. Pin in place. Continue up the side seam towards the front top edge curve. Pin to hold in place. Leave 16″ of webbing free and then pin the webbing in place at the other side, top front edge. Pin. Continue around side seam [ covering raw edges] and repeat for the back. Place into your sewing machine and edgestitch along the webbing. Stitch in one continuos loop, including along the 16″ strap. Backstitch at the end. ( Note – be super careful. If the ends are fraying, you can use a lighter to melt the polyester webbing ends ).

A couple of comments:

• Take caution to not twist the webbing when sewing the straps. You don’t want to sew the webbing in place, only to find that it is twisted around. While you are wrapping the raw edges, make sure it lays nice and flat.
• Are the ends of your webbing frayed and gross? Use a lighter and gently melt the ends of the webbing. Just a tad. This technique is perfect for anywhere the webbing is not enclosed or under another seam. Works like a charm.
• You can determine your own strap length. Change the strap length to suit your armhole. However, remember to cut enough at the beginning and before you attach to your bag.

Want to read another tutorial similar to this one? Click here to see the original post called “Sew A Reversible Tote”

I love seeing your creations. If you make an item from one of my tutorials or patterns, please consider using the hashtags:

#haberdasheryfun #haberdasheryfunpatterns #haberdasheryfunprints