Lions, and Tigers, and Bears.... Oh my!

Okay maybe just Tigers... Check out this adorable tote bag tutorial by my sweet friend Katy of The Littlest Thistle. Katy makes some really cool bag patterns including this one that you can find on Craftsy. 

This is the Tiger Tote... take it away Katy.... Printable PDF here

The Tiger Tote

Finished size: 4” x 12” x 17 ½”

Seam allowance, unless otherwise stated: ½”

Requirements

·         ½ yd canvas for main outer

·         ½ yd canvas for lower outer

·         1 yd quilting cotton for lining

·         ½ yd sew in pelmet interfacing (Vilene pelmet, Pellon Peltex #70)

·         1 yd fusible medium loft fusible fleece (¼” thick) (Vilene H640, Pellon Thermolam)

·         1 ½ yds fusible woven interfacing, (Vilene G700, Pellon SF101)

·         Pair of 24” leather sew in handles + waxed linen thread to match

Cutting Instructions:

Cut the following pieces from the main outer fabric:

·         2 main outer pieces 16” x 17” (note that for directional fabrics, this is 16” tall)

Cut the following pieces from the lower outer fabric:

·         2 lower outer pieces 6” x 17” (note that for directional fabrics, this is 6” tall)

Cut the following pieces from the lining fabric:

·         2 lining pieces 17” x 21”

·         1 pocket piece 8” x 15”

Cut the following pieces from the fusible woven interfacing:

·         2 main outer pieces 16” x 17”

·         2 lower outer pieces 6” x 17”

·         1 base piece 5” x 13”

Cut the following pieces from the fusible fleece:

·         2 main outer pieces 15” x 16”

·         2 above base pieces 3” x 16”

Cut the following pieces from the pelmet interfacing:

·         2 base pieces 4” x 12”

Assembling The Bag:

Apply the fusible woven interfacing to the following pieces according to manufacturer’s instructions:

·         2 main outer pieces

·         2 lower outer pieces

Apply the fusible fleece to the following pieces according to manufacturer’s instructions, centring on top of the fusible woven interfacing:

·         2 main outer pieces

Take the 2 pieces of pelmet interfacing and stick together with a glue stick

How To Make The Lining:

1.       1. Take the pocket piece and fold in half, right sides together, matching short edges.  Leaving a 3” turning gap in the base, stitch around the open edges, then clip the corners to reduce the bulk when turned through.

 

1.       2. Turn pocket through the gap, using a chopstick or similar to push the corners square, then press, being careful to catch the seam allowance at the turning gap inside the pocket.  Top stitch along the top folded edge 1/8” in from the edge.

 

1.       3. Place on top of one of the lining pieces, 4 ½” down from the top and 4 ½” in from each side, then top stitch 1/8” from the edge along the sides and bottom, closing the turning gap as you go:

1  4.  Place the 2 lining pieces right sides together and stitch the sides and base together, leaving the square sections open and a turning gap of 6” in the bottom.  Press the seams open

2   5. Squish the corners together so that the base seam meets the side seam, and the cut out sections meet:

 

6   6. Stitch the openings closed, set the lining aside.

How To Make The Outer Bag:

2   7. Take one main outer piece and one lower outer piece, and match, right sides together along the lower 17”edge of the main piece. 

3   8. Stitch together, then open out, press the seam allowance towards the lower piece and top stitch on the lower piece 1/8” from the seam.  Cut a 2” square out of the bottom corners as per the photo.  

 

1   9. Repeat with the remaining main outer and lower outer pieces.

2   10. Take the straps, and attach them 4” in from each side, with the top stitching holes 1 ½” down from the top.  Use waxed linen thread and starting in the centre bottom hole follow the diagram to sew up to the top of one side, then round to the top of the other side and back to the centre again.  At each end loop round twice for security at steps 4 and 5 in the diagram.

 

1   11.Take both outer pieces and stitch together along the bottom edge only, then press the seam allowance open.

     12.Take the pelmet interfacing sandwich, and centre along the bottom seam so that it’s ½” in from each corner, and 2” either side of the seam.  Take the remaining 5” x 13” piece of woven fusible interfacing and place on top so that it overlaps by ½” all round, then apply according to manufacturer’s instructions.

 

     13.Take the remaining pieces of fusible fleece, and place between the base section and the upper section as per the photo, then apply according to manufacturer’s instructions.

  

     14.   Fold the sides up right sides together, and stitch down both long sides, being very careful as you get to the bottom of the seam as the base will pull against you a bit at this point.  Press the side seams open.

     15. The base should now spring together with the sides, so that the previously open square sections meet in the same way as you did for the lining.

     16.Turn the bag right sides out.

     

     Finishing The Bag:

     17. Place the outer bag inside the lining bag, making sure the handles are tucked down well inside, and matching the side seams and top raw edges.  Stitch around the top.

     18.  Turn the bag through the gap in the lining, and ladder stitch the turning gap closed. 

     19. Push the lining inside the bag and press, the top stitch around the top, 1/8” from the edge.

  

     20. Put something marginally less lumpy inside yours than I did, then step back and admire!