Quick and Easy Market Tote

Are you ready to make a quick and easy market tote? Well all you need is some fabric and thread. Lets go!

I had the pleasure to use a beautiful new line called Romance Garden of Island Batik and designed by Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting. It has a lovely array of colors that are cheerful and full of Spring Colors. Come join me in making a quick and easy tote to bring with you to the market. This market tote is easy to make and the pattern is free!

Materials:

• 1/4 yard (Straps)

• 2/3 yard (Interior)

• 1 Fat Quarter (Exterior bottom piece)

• 1/3 yard (Exterior top side pieces)

• Coordinating thread

Cutting Instructions:

• Cut one: 4" strip x WOF. Sub-cut into two, 20" x 4" strips (Straps) or longer if preferred by cutting two strips.

• Cut one: 18" x 34" rectangle (Interior)

• Cut two: 10 1/2" x 18" rectangles (Exterior side pieces)

• Cut one: 14" x 18" rectangle (Exterior bottom piece)

Forming the Exterior of the Bag:

1. Place the exterior bottom piece and one exterior side piece right sides together along the long edge. Sew a 1/4" seam allowance. Press seams to the darker side or open. Repeat with the other exterior side piece along the other long edge.
   

2. Fold the exterior of the bag with wrong sides together along the exterior bottom piece so that the exterior bottom piece is folded in half and the two short raw edges of the top of the bag meet.

Cutting the Boxed Bottom of the Bag's Exterior and Interior:

1. Making the boxed bottom. Cut a 2" square from the bottom folded corner of each side of the bag (When unfolded the square will be 2"x4". This will be thrown away.)

2. Repeat with the interior of the bag.

Forming the Straps:

1. Fold each strap lengthwise in half with wrong sides together. Press it. Fold each side in half again with wrong sides together and meeting in the center crease. Press it.

2. Fold in half again with right sides together and press.

3. Sew an 1/8" seam allowance or edgestitch along all sides of the strap with coordinating thread.

4. Place the strap ends 5" in from each side of the bag and align the raw edge ends with the top edge of the exterior of the bag. There will be 6" between the straps in the center.

5. Sew an 1/8" seam allowance to secure the straps to the bag.

6. Repeat with the other side of the bag.

Sewing the Exterior and Interior of the Bag.

1. Fold the exterior with right sides together along the bottom and the top edge of each side of the bag meeting each other. Pin or clip the sides of the bag in place. Repeat with the interior of the bag but leave a gap on one side of the bag about 3"-4" long for turning it right side out.

2. Sew a 1/4" seam allowance along the sides of the bag. Do not sew the bottom corner yet.

3. With wrong sides together, fold the bottom corner of the bag along the center to make a boxed bottom.
   

Sewing the Bag Together

1. Place the interior of the bag inside the exterior of the bag with right sides together.

2. Match the side seams and the opening of the exterior and interior of the bag. Pin or clip in place.

3. Sew a 3/8" seam allowance along the perimeter of the opening of the bag.

4. Turn the bag through the opening in the interior.

5. Place the interior inside the exterior of the bag.

6. Press the top edge of the bag. Sew an 1/8" to 1/4" topstitch from the top edge.

7. Pull the interior out of the exterior and close the gap with a slip stitch or machine stitch it closed.

8. Your market tote is done! Enjoy!

Thank you for following along in my sewing adventures! The fabric was provided by Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting and Island Batik fabrics.