Winged Tote TUTORIAL

Today I'm thrilled to be joining the Winged Blog Tour! Winged is the beautiful line from Bonnie Christine of Going Home to Roost. Bonnie's work is gorgeous and she's one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet! (And a fellow North Carolinian!) You can see the full tour schedule here. Make sure to check out the fabulously fussy cut potholders on Mish Mash from Friday. They'd be a great holiday present.

Today I'll be showing you a simple tote with a fold over top. Let's get started!1. Supplies: You'll need two 1/2 yards of fabric. (I recommend Winged;) You'll also need a half yard of interfacing. I used non-fusible fleece. Soft & Stable, fusible fleece or even two layers of batting would work well too.

You'll also need a set of prepunched handles.2. Cutting: Cut two pieces from your lining that are 15 x 17". If your fabric has a graphic pattern, you might want to fussy cut it so the design is straight.

Cut two 15 x 15" pieces from your outer fabric.

Cut two 15 x 15" pieces of interfacing. If you chose a fusible, fuse it.

Cut two 10 x 8" pieces for the pocket.

3. Quilting: Place one outer piece on interfacing and quilt. I did straight line quilting with my walking foot. Quilt both outer panels.

4. Pocket: Place the two pocket pieces right sides together. Stitch with a 1/2" seam around the edge leaving a 4" opening.

Turn it right side out and press. Take one piece of lining and fold it in half vertically. Finger press. Fold the pocket in half vertically and finger press. Place the pocket on the lining using the fold marks to find center. Position it 4" from the top. Make sure the opening is at the bottom.

Topstitch the pocket to the lining closing the opening as you attach. Back stitch at the beginning and end.

5. Form the Outside: Put the outer pieces right sides together. Sew the sides from top to bottom with a 1/2" seam. You're sewing in the same direction so that there is no pull in the fabric. See across the bottom as well.

6. Form the Lining: Repeat Step 5 with the lining pieces. Take care that the pocket is right side up.

7. Square the Corners: Fold the corner so that the seam from the side goes one way and the seam from the bottom goes the other. Place a pin in the seam to align the seams.

Place a pin in sideways and remove the perpendicular pin. Measure down 1 1/2" from the seam intersection and mark a line.

Sew along the marked line.

Repeat for all four corners: two on lining and two on the outer piece.8. Attaching the Handles: Place the handles 4" in from the side and 3" down from the top. Here's a tip on attaching the handles.

9. Fold over the Lining: Fold the lining down 1". Press.

Fold over again. Press.

10. Finishing: Put the lining inside the outside right sides together. I wanted to make the lining interchangeable so I just placed it in and did a few stitches along the seam to keep it in place. Alternatively, you could topstitch in place. You're done!

Join Jennifer tomorrow on the Hopeful Homemaker for the next stop on the Winged tour!xo LC