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FREE Quilted Tote Bag | Sewing Pattern for Beginners

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

Debbie Shore's beginner-friendly bag looks striking in two coordinating fabrics.

With no pockets, zips or fastenings this tote bag pattern is a quick make that makers at any sewing level will be able to make. A walking (dual-/even-feed) foot can be useful for quilting your bag, but you can quilt your bag with a standard foot if that’s all you have; just sew carefully and slowly. If the idea of quilting your bag with your sewing machine makes you nervous, you could always quilt by hand using quilting thread; big running stitches (known as big-stitch quilting) work nicely. Or, you can leave out the quilting stage (at steps 3 and 4) altogether.

Finished size: 13 x 14 x 4in (33 x 35.5 x 10cm)

Note: Use ¼in (5mm) seam allowance

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine and walking (dual-/even-feed) foot
• Fabric scissors, or rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Erasable fabric marker – I used chalk
• Ruler
• Optional: quilting/Betweens needles, for hand quilting

Materials

• 28 x 12in (71.25 x 30.5cm) of fabric 1 – mine is floral navy
• 36 x 17in (91.5 x 43.25cm) of fabric 2 – mine is red gingham. 
• 28 x 17in (71.25 x 43.25cm) of single-sided fusible foam stabilizer – mine is In-R-Form by Bosal
• Optional: 22 x 8in (56 x 20.5cm) of lightweight fusible interfacing or stabilizer for the handles, such as Vlieseline G700; hand-quilting thread

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