Downtown Tote

Designed by Lori Miller

[Link]
Materials
kraft-tex™ Roll, Chocolate
1 1/5 yd of 5/16” drapery cording
½ yd upholstery or decorator fabric for main bag
½ yd cotton fabric for lining
¾ yd of heavyweight fusible interfacing
Coordinating thread
Small binder clips
Optional: Zipper foot

Instructions
NOTE: Use a ¼” seam.
Cut the following out of the Chocolate kraft-tex™
2 strips, 2 ½” x 17”
2 strips, 1 ½” x 19”
2 strips, 1” x 17”
1. Wash the kraft-tex™ and dry until the material is only slightly
damp. Crinkle the material a couple of times to give it a worn look
and the look of leather. Smooth back out to finish drying.
2. From the main bag fabric, cut two rectangles, each 14” x 16”.
With the 16” sides on the bottom, cut out a 3” x 3” square from
A sophisticated, designer tote bag each of the bottom corners of the bag pieces.

with faux leather accents. This 3. From the lining, cut two rectangles, each 12 ½” x 16”. Again, with
the 16” sides on the bottom, cut out a 3” x 3” square from each of
snazzy bag features leather-like the bottom corners of the bag pieces.

trim and piped handles all made 4. From the interfacing, cut two rectangles, each 12 ½” x 16”. Again,
with the 16” sides on the bottom, cut out a 3” x 3” square from
with kraft-tex™, Chocolate. each of the bottom corners of the bag pieces. Trim the pieces
slightly smaller than the lining pieces and iron on to the wrong side
of the lining.

C&T Publishing | [Link] | 800.284.1114 | 925.677.0377 (int’l)

Copyright © 2016 by C&T Publishing, Inc.
We take great care to ensure that the information included in our products is accurate and presented in good faith, but no warranty is provided
nor are results guaranteed. Having no control over the choices of materials or procedures used, neither the author nor C&T Publishing, Inc., shall
have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in or the
Property of C&T Publishing, Inc.. Issued to Loub
use of this product. Please be sure to test this product to ensure satisfactory results.
 5. From the main bag fabric, cut out two strips, each 2” x 17”. You 9. Assemble the handles. Using the template above, cut the curved
will use these at the top of the lining. shape at the end of each of the 1 ½” x 19” strips for the handle
base. Cut two pieces of drapery cording, 17” each. Centering the
6. Stitch the 2” x 17” strips to the top of the lining. Open the seam
cording, wrap the kraft-tex strip around the cording and hold in
and topstitch close to the edge on the bag material. With right
place with some clips. Using the zipper foot and double strands of
sides together, stitch the sides and bottom of the lining together.
thread, starting about 1 ½” from the end of the strip and stitch the
Then pinch together the raw edges that you cut out from the
cording into the center of the strip. Sew until you are 1 ½” away
lining to form the bottom of the lining. Stitch across each of them
from the other end. Sew both handles this way.
to finish the lining.
10. Position the handles onto the bag approximately 3 ¼” away
7. Embellish the main bag fabric. Position the 2 ½” x 17” kraft-tex
from each side and 3” down from the top of the bag. Stitch only
strips approximately 5 ½” from the bottom of the bag, parallel to
the big “V”-stitch design at this time. You will add a reinforcing
the bottom of the bag, and use clips to hold in place.
stitch after the lining is added. Stitch all four handle ends onto each
8. Using two strands of thread in the top of your sewing machine side of the bag.
(this will make the stitches stand out a little more) and a 4.0mm
11. With right sides together, stitch the sides and bottom of the
length stitch, topstitch the kraft-tex accent onto the bag. Stitch at
bag together. Then pinch together the raw edges that you cut out
the top and the bottom, 1/8” away from the edge. Sew the accent
from the bag to form the bottom of the bag and stitch across each
to both sides of the bag.
of them to form the main bag.
12. Carefully insert the lining inside the bag, wrong sides together.
Align the top edges and pin. Stitch around the top of the bag very
close to the edge.
13. Take the 1” x 17” strips of kraft-tex and sew them together end
to end. Fold the strip in half the long way and crease. Iron it to
really get a good fold. Wrap this piece of kraft-tex over the top of
the bag and clip in place to hold. Align the seams with the side of
the bag. Overlap the strips where they come together.
14. Carefully topstitch around the bag about ¼” down from the
top.
15. To finish the handles, firmly press the handles to the bag and
stitch through the bag and the lining with a straight stitch across
the top of the rounded ends to secure them in place.

C&T Publishing | [Link] | 800.284.1114 | 925.677.0377 (int’l)

Copyright © 2016 by C&T Publishing, Inc.
We take great care to ensure that the information included in our products is accurate and presented in good faith, but no warranty is provided
nor are results guaranteed. Having no control over the choices of materials or procedures used, neither the author nor C&T Publishing, Inc., shall
have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in or the
Property of C&T Publishing, Inc.. Issued to Loub
use of this product. Please be sure to test this product to ensure satisfactory results.