Burda Style For people who sew

Description

This very large tote was straight forward to make. The finished size of about 20″ × 12″ × 12″ yields a sturdy piece of luggage that can hold a week end’s worth of clothes.

Check my blog for more pictures www.fashiondoubletake.blogspot.com

Instructions: I used a serpentine stitch that was built into my Husqvarna Viking SE to quilt the fabric-batting-backing for the two side panels and the one large piece that becomes the top, long sides and bottom.

Next, a patch pocket is applied to the long side, and a pleated pocket is attached to the short side. I think the finished bag would have been just as nice without these pockets.

The instructions specify making a circle of jute webbing to be stitched to the bottom and the long sides. I only had enough handle to make a loop for each side, and the bag is plenty strong, anyway.

Next, attach the 20" zipper to the short ends of the large rectangle. The pattern does not require a separating zipper, but I recommend one for ease of sewing.

There are small fabric tabs that the designer asks to sew over the ends of the zipper, but next time I expect that I will omit this step, since the tabs stick up oddly.

The last step is to sew the short sides onto the large rectangle. I added boning to this seam. I also pressed, then top stitched the large piece, creating the illusion of a separately sewn top and bottom. This created a professional finish, as well as supporting the bag so it can stand.

Material Notes

bottom weight woven with stretch for exterior & lining, zipper, 1" webbing, pellon fusible fleece

Difficulty

Intermediate

Categories

For

Women

Garment Type

Accessories