Reversible Jumbo Tote Bag
Reversible Jumbo Tote Bag
To make: 2
Sewing Pattern: Download pdf sewing pattern here.
Materials:
1. Fabric – Ikea GULLVI, wide 1.5m / 60″, cut length 1 meter or 40″
2. Fabric – Ikea TRÅDKLÖVER, wide 1.5m / 60″, cut length 1 meter or 40″
3. Cotton cord, 16″ x 2
4. End bead, 15mm x 2Tools:
1. Sewing machine
2. Sewing kits
3. Fabric chalk
4. Long ruler or quilter’s ruler
5. Scissors
6. Tube turnerFinished Dimension:
22 1/2″ (W) x 17″ (H) x 6 1/4″ (D) without handle
Ikea’s Upholstery fabric, GULLVI (top) and TRÅDKLÖVER (bottom). This fabrics are 60″ wide selvage to selvage, cut 1 meter or 40″ length for each fabric.
Download the pdf pattern and print it out if you wish.
{If you can’t download the pdf pattern, probably you don’t have acrobat reader, download the latest version for free here.}
Follow the cutting format from the pattern to get the sewing pieces. I drew mine directly on the wrong side of the fabric.
As you can see, the pattern utilized almost the whole piece of 1 meter fabric, not much scrap left after the cutting.
You can make 2 reversible jumbo totes from the fabrics above.
Take half of the sewing pieces to make a tote.
1 & 2, the body – 45 3/4″ x 18 3/4″, 2 pcs.
3 & 4, the base, 17″ x 7″, 2 pcs.
5, short handle, 1 3/4″ x 12 3/4″, 4 pcs.
6, Long handle, 1 3/4″ x 27 3/4″, 4 pcs.
Fold the tote body with right side facing each other, align the side seam and sew with 3/8″ seam allowance.
Press the seam allowance to one side and top stitch 1/8″ from the seam line.
Repeat the same to another tote body.
Mark the base position on the bottom seam allowance of the tote body, snip 1/4″ out of the total seam allowance of 3/8″. This little snips will make the corners a nice right angle turn.
Pin the base to the bottom of the tote body, sew on the long seams on both sides.
Pin and sew the short sides to complete the base.
1. Clip the corners diagonally.
2. Fold the seam allowances at right angle at the corner (on the base side), pin securely from the right side. Repeat at all 4 corners.
3. Turn and stitch the base. Check the folding when you are about to reach the corner to make sure the seam allowances still folded neatly.
4. The view on the base after completing the top stitching. This will make the tote more endurable for heavy items.
Repeat the sewing processes on the other fabric.
Set aside.
Place the pairing handle pieces right side together and sew the long seams with 1/4″ seam allowance.
Turn, press and top stitch 1/8″ from the edge.
Repeat the process to make 2 short and 2 long handles.
Prepare the cord by inserting it through the end bead then tie a dot at the end. Lightly burn the raw ends to stop the raveling if needed.
Mark the handle positions at 7 1/2″ apart at the center of the tote. The cotton cord is at the center.
Stitch them in place at the seam allowance, repeat the same to the other side. Do this on 1 tote body.
Note that the top seam allowance of the bag is 1 3/8″. This thick seam allowance will help to make the top edge of the tote firmer.
Insert the tote’s body into another tote body, with right side facing each other.
Align, pin and sew the top seam line, leaving a 5″ opening for turning right side out.
Turn the tote right side out from the opening.
Press the seam and top stitch, 1/8″, 1 1/8″ & 1 3/8″ from the edge to complete the reversible jumbo tote bag.
You can choose to use either side depend of the mood of the day.
What’s your choice? The Modern Chic “Face Bag”?
Or………. the black & white Blowing Globules?
How to fold the Jumbo Tote Bag
Place the bag flat on the floor or table.
Put the long handles on the bag.
Fold both sides to the center.
Roll the bag from bottom to top.
Cross the cotton cords on the top with 1 cord to the back and 1 cord to the front.
Make a tie on the cotton cords, that’s it!
Put it in your handbag or car’s drawer, it will be handy when you need to do shopping.
{More photos and story on Page 1.}
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I love this! especially since it folds up! Thanks for a great tutorial!
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I like it, genius
nice! ^^
Love these fabrics!! TFS
Have a great day!
Liz
You are such an inspiration Joanne! I love your blog and crafts so much! Thank you so much for sharing. <3 <3 <3 I really like the fabric on this tote bag. I might just have to make a few of these.
Will be make 2! Thanks and tutorial…
Wowowowow!!! I like the design.. <3
may I also order this for bring to work?
no need to order, I will make you some other type
Joanne, You got another version of this bag suitable for bring it to work? I love this fabric and think to make 1 more suitable for office use.
I am thinking to design one but not too soon, probably after I finished 3 quilted blankets in my list first. Ohhh…. I wish I can work faster, the list is over taking my working pace.
Hi Joanne,
I’m half way with this bag. Would like to know will it be ok if I use light or medium fusible interface on 1 of the pieces so that it look sturdier?
Thanks for the tutorial again.
Hi Amelia, if you are using thicker fabric like the one I am using, Upholstery grade, then no interfacing required, it is very sturdy.
But, if you are using normal fabric, then I would recommend medium interfacing on 1 side.
Thanks again joanne
I love this! I want to star looking for fabric to make one! Thank you!
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I have just completed 2 bags using Tidny (£7/m) and Fredrika (£4/m). All in all they two bags took me 12 hours to make.
The Fredirika is not as heavy a fabric as the Tidny but I think they work well together. The only problem I had was turning out the handles. I had to use a knitting needle to do this and a lot of tugging and teasing. If anyone has any tips on how to make this task easier please let me know. I think that if both the fabrics I’d used were thicker this task would have been impossible.
However, I’m very pleased with them. I’m thinking of adapting the style, though, to have a smaller bag without a separate base. I think this will mean they are quicker to make and will suit some of my ‘smaller, older relatives.
I’m planning on making more as Christmas presents.
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I will make lots of these for my girlfriends this xmas. Nice one Joanne!
I’ve had this tutorial bookmarked forever and finally the mountain of plastic/paper bags under my sink has put a fire under me to make a few of these!
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