Summer tote bag with pocket |Keeping it Real

Monday, May 29, 2017

Summer tote bag with pocket

Hello, and welcome. Today I'm sharing with you my new summer tote bag, including the tutorial and the pattern in case you want to sew one for yourself too.
 
Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern

Summer means spending more time outdoors, so I designed this one with a large pocket, which is great to carry sunglasses, the book I'm currently reading or my latest craft project.



Materials needed: 
  • one button
  • about 6 cm of thin round elastic 
  • matching sewing thread
  • fabric for the bag, pocket, straps and lining. I used the same thin canvas fabric for the bag and lining and then another one with a contrasting pattern for the pocket. Measurements can be found below (click on the picture for the printable version of the pattern)

 
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2_mmyn3aK5wUVd2MHVOTDNpVEU


Instructions: 

Step 1: sew the bag


Fold the pocket piece in half over the sort side and place over one of the bag pieces as shown below. The folded edge should be on the top side of the bag. Pin in place.


Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern


Place the other bag piece over this one, right sides together and pin. Sew down the sides and the bottom of the bag (because of the way you placed the pocket piece, the pocket will the automatically sewn in place, leaving the folded edge as the opening). It should look like this:
 
Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern


  
Step 2: sew the lining

Place the lining pieces right sides together, pin in place and sew the sides and the bottom.  


Step 3: create the bottom of the bag and lining

Fold each bottom corner of both the bag and the lining in a triangle and sew about 5 cm from the tip. Cut off the excess fabric.

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern


Step 4: sew the straps

Fold each strap piece in half over the long side, tuck the edges over inside (bias tape like) and sew.

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern


Step 5: assemble the bag

Place the lining in place inside the bag (wrong sides together), fold the top edges inward and pin all around, with the straps in place (insert the straps between the lining and the bag before pinning.

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern

Top stitch all around the bag.

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern


Step 6: add the button to close the pocket

Fold the elastic in half and sew it in place in the center of the pocket top. 
 
Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern


Make sure the edges of the elastic are on the inside of the pocket and that no stitches show on the outside.

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern

And finally sew the button in place as shown: 

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern

Yay, your bag is finished!

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern

Now you just need to wait for summer to arrive (almost there...)!

In case you missed the link to download the pattern above, click here.

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern

Summer tote bag with pocket tutorial and pattern


And while you're visiting, you can also have a look at some of the other bag tutorials I've posted in the past:

http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2016/03/the-spring-bag-with-tutorial.htmlhttp://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2015/11/felt-lined-fabric-bags.html
http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2015/09/the-ultimate-diy-shopping-bag-made-easy.htmlhttp://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2014/06/the-summer-bag-with-tutorial.html


Happy Monday!

keeping it real, craft blog









18 comments:

  1. Aww this is really cute! Love the pocket

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very cute and handy for "toting" things around. Love the button for the pocket.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is adorable! Love the button detail!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a fun project! It looks so cute. I Would love to give it a try and make one :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad, let me know how it turns out!

      Delete
  5. The pocket with the button closure is a great idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Pam. The button had not been in my initial plans, but then I decided the bag look too plain and needed an additional detail...

      Delete
  6. Thanks for sharing this summer tote tutorial at C&C with J&J.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Julie, for hosting and for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. You make it look so simple! It turned into a beautiful bag!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, though it really is simple, I just don't have the time, or the skills, for more complicated patterns...

      Delete
  8. Great bag!! I wish I sewed - so I sent this to my sister with a "hint, hint" !! LOL - Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW's DIY party!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, and I hope you get the bag. If I didn't live across the Atlantic from you I would find a way to sew you one myself...

      Delete
  9. This is so cute, and just in time for summer Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.

    ReplyDelete