New York Oversized Patchwork Tote Bag

Designer: Daisi Toegel

Website: www.flowersew.com

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Category: Bag & Accessories

Size: 22” HH x 22” W approx. finished size

Skill level: Intermediate

Pattern notes:

• Please read through the entire tutorial before starting as some fabric requirements may change from the list below if piecing scraps is preferred.
• Seam allowance is 1/4in unless otherwise mentioned.
• Assume 44” WOF for yardage.
• FE = fat eight = 9” x 21”.

Fabric Requirements:

Tools needed:

OLFA RM-SG-01 18" x 24" Green Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat

OLFA RTY-2DX/MAG 45mm Ergonomic Rotary Cutter

OLFA QR-6x24 6”x24” Frosted Acrylic Ruler

OLFA QR-6S 6 1/2" Square Frosted Acrylic Ruler

You’ll also need:

*(2) 23” x 23” batting squares (or the stabilizer of your preference)

*(2) 64” x 1” webbing (or batting strips, or the material for handles of your preference)

Cutting instructions:

Fabric A:

Cut (5) 2” x WOF strips; Sub cut from 4 strips (28) 2” x 5 1/2” rectangles, and from 1 strip (22) 2” squares. From the scraps of the previous 4 strips, cut extra (10) 2” squares for a total of (32) 2” squares.

*If using a 42” WOF fabric, cut a total of (6) 2” x WOF strips instead.

Fabric B:

Cut (5) 2” x WOF strips; Sub cut (32) 2” x 5 1/2” rectangles.

Fabric C (FE):

Cut (3) 2” x WOF strips. Sub cut (28) 2” squares.

Fabric D:

Cut (2) 5 1/2" x WOF strips; Sub cut (2) 5 1/2" x 23” rectangles.

Fabric E:

Cut (4) 4 1/2" x WOF strips; Sew 2 pairs of strips together on the short edge to make 2 long strips.

Sub cut each strip to 65” x 4 1/2".

Fabric F:

Cut (2) 23” x WOF strips; Sub cut (2) 23” squares.

Cut (4) 2 1/2" x WOF strips; Join all strips on the 45-angle degree and press in half lengthwise to make the binding.

Cut (6) 2” x WOF strips; Sub cut (6) 23” x 2” rectangles.

*The cutting instructions above are for entire pieces, without using scraps.

*If you prefer to utilize the scrap pieces from fabric F to cut the thinner strips, feel free to piece them together to reach the length to be cut and therefore use less yardage.

Prepare the handles:

Use the same process below for both fabric E pieces and the webbing strips.

Following the chart above, with the main side of the fabric facing out, fold the strip in half lengthwise to crease (1), open and fold the long edges towards the crease (2). Add the webbing piece inside the creased edges to give the strip structure – the webbing will be 1/2" shorter on each side.

Then, fold both long edges towards the center covering the webbing piece (3). Join the long edges using clips (4) and fold the short edges on each side towards the inside, finish clipping and sew on both long edges using 1/8” seam allowance to finish.

After repeating the process for both fabric E long fabric strips, along with the binding preparation (see fabric cutting instructions for fabric F), set both the handles and binding aside.

Prepare the body:

Following the picture below, make (4) of each of the patchwork strips shown.

Fabric B + Fabric A (B+A+B+A+B+A+B+A+B+A+B+A+B+A+B) x 4.

Fabric A + Fabric C (A+C+A+C+A+C+A+C+A+C+A+C+A+C+A) x 4.

Press seams to one side.

Following the picture below, make (2) of each of the patchwork strips shown.

Fabric F 2” x 23” strip + Fabric AC strip previously sewn + Fabric F 2” x 23” strip (x 2).

Fabric AC strip previously sewn + Fabric F 2” x 23” strip (x 2).

Press seams towards fabric F strips.

Sew (2) patchwork squares for each side of the bag as shown below.

Press seams towards Fabric F and Fabric D.

Baste the main patchwork, batting and lining pieces together using the method of your preference as well as quilting style.

Press each quilted unit after quilting.

Using the QR-6S 6 1/2" Square Frosted Acrylic Ruler align to each bottom corner on a 2 1/2" square and cut the squares to prepare the boxed corners.

Sew the handles on each side:

Pin the ends of the handles right on top of the base where the pieced patchwork portion starts, count 5 squares of the patchwork from each side and position the handle between squares 5 and 6.

Adjust the handle all along the same line on the way up to 1´above the top of Fabric F straight strip.

Sew a rectangle following the seams on the handles as guide, sewing on top of them to finish.

Trim all threads that might be hanging and clip/pin the bag parts with main sides together and lining side out. Keep the handles tuck inside, far from the edges to be sewn.

Sew the sides and the bottom, backstitching in the beginning and end. Bind the sides and bottom.

Then pull the corners together and sew in the same manner to create the boxed corners. Bind the corners enclosing the edges of the binding for a neat finish.

Finally bind the top edge of the bag, laying the bag side-bound seams to one side to make it flatter.

Turn the bag to the right side out and give it a good press. You’re all done!