DIY Network

Needle-and-Thread Appliqué Tote Carry your needlework in a bag decorated with a cute sewing-inspired design. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-107

Susan Beal's roomy, fully lined tote bag with embroidery-hoop handles and felt needle-and-thread appliqué is a perfect project to try after you've been sewing a while. Carrying your gear has never been more stylish!

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	Needle-and-Thread Appliqué Tote
	PDF Tote bag: click here for pattern.
	PDF Appliqué: click here for pattern.

Materials:

2/3 yd. sturdy outer fabric (e.g., denim)
2/3 yd. lining fabric (e.g., brown cotton)
felt in three colors (e.g., rainbow felt in shocking pink, tan and military blue)
8"x14" piece sturdy cardboard
scissors
iron
sewing machine
two 7" embroidery hoops

1. Using the pattern shown, cut out one bag piece in your outer fabric and one in your liner fabric. Cut out two 5" squares of outer fabric as well.

2. Using the needle and thread appliqué pattern as a guide, cut the shapes out of felt in the colors of your choice.

3. Pin the two pieces of the needle appliqué on one side of the outer bag piece as shown. Sew it on with medium-length straight stitches around the perimeter of the appliqué, close to the edge. Repeat with the top and bottom pieces of the thread spool.

4. Position the rectangle-shaped thread appliqué over the needle and spool and sew it the same way.

5. Fold the outer bag fabric in half, right sides together, pinning along both vertical sides. Sew each side together, using a medium-length straight stitch, and backstitch at each end to hold the seam. Now pin the bottom seam together and sew it together the same way.

6. Repeat step 5 with the more lightweight fabric, sewing the seams the same way, to construct the lining.

7. Turn the outer bag right side out and leave the lining wrong side out. Fold the raw edge on the top of the outer bag down 1/2" and use the iron (on a medium-high setting) to press it flat. Repeat on the lining piece.

8. Place the piece of cardboard inside the bag so it reinforces the bottom.

9. Place the lining inside the bag, matching the side seams so they line up correctly.

10. Pin the bag and lining together at the folded edge all the way around the top, so that the folded raw edge is tucked inside the two fabrics.

11. Fold and press 1/2" in on each vertical side of the 5" squares. Stitch to hem the sides of both squares. These two pieces will hold the handles on the bag. Fold them in half and pin them onto the center top of the bag, with the raw edge tucked between the lining and the outer fabric.

12. Machine-stitch around the top of the bag, securing the folded fabric within the seam, and backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.

13. Open one of the embroidery hoops by twisting the adjustable metal fastener on the outer circle until it opens. Set aside the inner circle. Guide the embroidery hoop into the fabric fold on one side of the bag. Twist the hoop shut and turn it so the metal fastener is hidden in the fabric fold. Repeat with the second embroidery hoop on the other side of the bag.

14. Use a needle and thread to hand-sew a few stitches at each side of the fabric fold to hold the hoop in place.

GUESTS :

Susan Beal
Website: www.pdxsupercrafty.com