Tote Bag with Fusible Fleece

Learn how to make a roomy, sturdy tote bag using twill tape for the handles, and fusible fleece to give the bag structure. Nicki LaFoille shows you how.

Nicki discusses the fabric and interfacing requirements to make this sturdy tote bag. You will need ½ yard each of two fabrics for the outside, and 1 yard of lining fabric. You will also need ¾ yard of fusible fleece and ¾ yard of a light to mediumweight interfacing for the lining. Nicki discusses how this, and leaving off the interfacing on the lining altogether, can change the body of the bag.

This tote bag has one pattern piece, and Nicki demonstrates how to draw it using simple measurements. The pattern piece is the same for the fusible fleece and interfacing pieces, but ½” smaller on the outer edges.

From the pattern piece, cut four from the lining fabric and two from each of your outer fabrics. You will also cut four pieces of fusible fleece and four pieces of interfacing. Fuse the structural pieces to the wrong sides of the corresponding fabric pieces. Nicki demonstrates how to attach the accent fabric strips to the twill tape to create the handles, and how to baste the handles to the main panels of the outer bag.

The next step is to layer the side panels over the main panels and seam the right edges. Use the same process to construct the lining panels in pairs, leaving an opening along one straight edge of one pair, for turning the bag right side out.https://www.nationalsewingcircle.com/?flush-all-user-cache=yes

Nicki demonstrates the process for constructing the remainder of the bag, including topstitching the upper edge for a finished look.

For more tote bag tutorials, check out these projects:
Canvas Monogrammed Tote Bag
Quilted Fabric Tote Bag
Oilcloth Beach Bag