BIG Bucket Bag Tote Tutorial

 Sometimes you just need a really BIG bag!  This colorful tote has room for everything you need for the beach, the flea market, a sewing class, or a trip to Grandma’s.  Pack it full of stuff, toss it in the car and off you go! 

This tote has room for everything you need and then some!

Fabrics Needed
Jelly roll fabric strips (2-1/2” x width of fabric) 13
Lining fabric      1 yard
Handle fabric      1/2 yard

Materials Needed
Pellon® 809 Décor-Bond®    Two 19“ x 24” rectangles
Pellon® 987F Fusible Fleece    Two 29“ x 1-1/4” strips
Pellon® SF101 Shape-Flex®    Two 19“ x 24” rectangles
Legacy™ By Pellon® Batting    One crib size (45” x 60”)
Thread

Tools Needed
Sewing machine and related supplies
Rotary cutter and relate supplies
Basting spray (optional)

Sewing Instructions

 

Place fabric strips together lengthwise in desired layout.

Sew each strip right sides together using a 1/4” seam allowance.  Press seams in one direction.

Lightly spray baste or pin the outer fabric and batting together.  Quilt along the seams using the presser foot as a guide.  Quilt four lines per strip.

After quilting, trim the fabric/batting unit to measure 40” x 26”.  Then cut  into two 20” x 26” pieces.

Center the Décor-Bond® on the batting side of the fabric/batting unit.  Fuse following manufacturer’s instructions.  Repeat with other fabric/batting unit. 
Place the fabric/batting units right sides together, matching seams and pin.  Sew across the bottom and up the sides using a 1/2” seam allowance.  Leave the top open.

Press the seams open.

To make the gussets, pinch the corners together.  Line up the side and bottom seams and place a ruler 3” down from the center corner point.  Draw a 6” line across the batting.

Sew along that line, backstitching at the beginning and the end. 
Trim seam to 1/4”.  Repeat for the other side.

Cut two 19-1/2” x 25-1/2” rectangles of lining fabric.  Center the Shape-Flex® onto the wrong side of each piece of lining fabric.  Fuse in place following manufacturer’s instructions.
Place lining fabric right sides together and sew using a 1/4” seam allowance along both sides and across the bottom, leaving a 4” opening in the bottom center.  Backstitch at the beginning and the end of the opening for turning.

Make the gussets in the lining in the same manner as for the exterior bag.

Turn the outer bag with right side facing out.  Insert outer bag piece into the lining piece with right sides together.  Match side seams and pin along the top.

Sew all the way around the top with a 1/2” seam allowance.  Backstitch at the beginning and the end.
 Layer the seams and trim the outer seam to 1/4”.

Reach into the bag through the opening in the lining and turn the bag right side out.  Pin, then stitch the gap closed in the lining by machine or hand.

Push the lining into place inside the outer bag.  Press first if necessary.

Cut two 30” x 5-1/2” strips from the handle fabric.  Press each fabric strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together.   Open and press each side to the center crease.

Open the fabric strips.  Fuse one 29” x 1-1/4” piece of Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the handle fabric in the middle of the fabric strip as shown.
Repeat for other handle.

Fold in the raw ends 1/4” and pin. 

Refold the handles lengthwise as shown.

Topstitch all the way around the handles, then stitch three lines in the center along the length of the strap using the presser foot as a guide.

To place the straps on the bag, position and pin the straps 3-1/2” down from the top of the bag and 4-1/2” in from each side.

Starting at the side seam, backstitch and topstitch along the top of the bag.  When the handles are reached, reinforce them with an X box, then stitch along the edge of the strap until back at the top of the bag. 
Continue topstitching the bag, reinforcing each handle.  Backstitch at the end.