Quilted Tote Bag

July 25, 2024 Crafts & Projects, Fabric & Sewing

Featuring: Studio E Fabrics Field of Seams by Judy Gauthier

Pattern Design by: Shankari Paradee

Sewn by: Shankari Paradee

I've always wanted to create a "Vera Bradley" inspired bag and my current purse is on its last legs, so I thought this was a great opportunity to try out these beautiful fabrics!

Skills Learned: Strip piecing, applying binding, quilting

Skill Level: Confident beginner

Finished Size: 13" x 16" (33.02cm x 40.64cm)

Fabric Requirements:
(1) Field of Seams by Judy Gauthier Precuts - Jelly Roll
0.5yd (.46m) – Backing (Fabric A) 7647-72 Blue/Fuchsia || Field of Seams
0.5yd (.46m) – Lining (Fabric B) 7644-76 Denim/Jade || Field of Seams

Cutting:
(16) 2.5"x WOF strips for piecing. I used:

7650-13 Blue/Tan || Field of Seams Directional Texture
7643-72 Blue/Fuchsia || Field of Seams Cosmos
7646-31 Ecru/Light Blue || Field of Seams Tonal Vine
7645-57 Purple/Blue || Field of Seams Calico Paisley
7641-72 Blue/Fuchsia || Field of Seams Bohemian Floral
7648-33 Ecru || Field of Seams Tonal Geo
7640-56 Purple/Green || Field of Seams Large Floral
7649-13 Blue/Tan || Field of Seams Tonal Daisy
7642-72 Blue/Fuchsia || Field of Seams Cosmos
7645-33 Ecru || Field of Seams Calico Paisley
7645-71 Denim Blue || Field of Seams Calico Paisley
7644-76 Denim/Jade || Field of Seams

(3) 2.5"x WOF strips for bag straps. I used:

7650-13 Blue/Tan || Field of Seams Directional Texture

(1) 2.5"x WOF strip for bag binding. I used:

7645-33 Ecru || Field of Seams Calico Paisley

(2) 15"x 17" Fabric A. I used

7647-72 Blue/Fuchsia || Field of Seams

(2) 13"x 16.5" Fabric B. I used:

7644-76 Denim/Jade || Field of Seams

(2) 15"x 17" batting

Instructions:

All seam allowances are 1⁄4" (.64cm) unless otherwise noted.

1. Pick out 6 sets of 4 strips of fabric from your jelly roll.

2. Sew each group of 4 strips together lengthwise. You should have 6 sets of 4 strips.

3. Then, sew together 2 sets of 4 strips, so you will have a large set of 8 strips all sewn together. Create 2 more with the remaining 4 strips. You will now have 3 sets of 8 strips. Press your sets of strips open.

4. From each strip set, cut 6 strips widthwise to make 2.5" x 16.5" strip pieces. You will end up with 18 pieces (3 sets of 6). Set aside 9 pieces for the second side of the bag, from which you will choose 7 to make the second side of the bag.

5. For the first side of your bag, lay out the strip pieces from step 4 and create a unique square patch design of (7) - 2.5"x16.5" strip pieces.

6. Sew the laid-out strip pieces together from your design in step 5. This will be one side of your bag. Press your seam open. Square the piece to 13.5" x 16.5".

7. Repeat steps 5. and 6. to create the second side of the bag. You'll end up with a couple extra strips (you should have 2 extra per side), just save them for another project!

8. Now, using your two 13.5" x 16.5" pieces, 15" x 17" backing (Fabric A) and batting, create your quilt "sandwich" blocks. (Order of layers: backing on the bottom, batting in the middle, and quilt piece on top as shown.)

Pin/baste everything together.

Quilt each side of the bag however you would like. Square up quilted pieces to 13.5" x 16.5".

9. With lining (Fabric B), take right sides together, sew along the short edges of both sides and the bottom.

10. Repeat step 9 for quilted bag pieces, with Fabric A right sides facing out and quilted pieces facing in.

11. For quilted bag, cut away 2" squares from both bottom corners. Repeat for bag lining.

12. For bag lining, open up these corner sections and pin closed, nesting side seams.

Sew closed. Repeat for quilted bag.

13. Turn quilt bag right side out.

Place lining into bag.

Sew binding to inside of lining and quilted bag piece, as shown.

14. Flip the binding and bind to the quilted side of bag using 1/8" seam allowance.

15. Make straps using remaining Jelly roll/2.5"x WOF strips. Fold raw edges on length side towards center of strip. Fold strip closed and sew strap closed at the edge of one side of the strap using 1/8" seam allowance.

16. Cut straps to desired shoulder length. Mine are 32" long.

17. Mark bag at 5" from each side of the bag. This is where the straps will be sewn on. Repeat on other side of bag.

18. Fold one end of strap over by 0.5" and attach to bag at marks with an X pattern to secure the strap. Repeat for other end of strap to same side of bag.