Try it now: Everyday Tote

Layer and piece colourful curved shapes for a handy tote to carry your quilting!

You will need

Interfacing
A variety of fabric scraps (we used ten different fat quarters from our stash)
Contrast strip 22in x 9in
Cotton/linen blend tote fabric, one (1) 17 ½in x 12 ½in piece and one (1) 17 ½in x 19 ½in piece
Lining fabric 17 ½in x 32in
Cotton webbing for handles, two (2) 18in pieces

Finished Size

16in square

Notes

All seam allowances are ¼in, unless noted otherwise.

Fabrics used

Prints used for the circles are in Chromatics by Art Gallery Fabrics.

Step one: Draw nine (9) 3in, 4in and 5in circles on your interfacing, for a total of thirty-six (36) circles. Make appliqué circles as described in steps 1–3 of the piecing curves guide above.

Step two: Layer small, medium and large circles and secure together with a dot of washable glue. Arrange your stacks of circles on the contrast strip and pin them in place. Next, stitch the circles in place by hand or machine. Then trim the strip to 17 ½in x 3 ½in.

Step three: Make one large circle following steps 4–7 of the piecing curves guide above.

Step four: Sew your two pieces of tote fabric to the top and bottom of your strip. Then sew your large pieced circle in the centre of the small piece of tote fabric.

Step five: Cut and sew two rectangles, right sides together, leaving an opening. Turn right sides out and press. Attach to your lining, sewing three sides, to make a pocket and closing the remaining pocket opening in the process. Centre your lining piece on top of the tote piece, wrong sides together.

Step six: Press under ¼in and then 1in of both short raw edges, toward the lining side. Insert the raw edges of your handles under the folds at each end, making sure they are aligned, and pin in place. Fold the handles up and topstitch along the folds of the tote.

Step seven: Fold the tote in half, with the lining sides facing each other. Sew along the two long sides using a ¼in seam. Turn the tote wrong sides out and press. Sew along both long sides again using a ½in seam. Turn your tote the right way out and you’re done!

quilted curves design tote bag

Try it now: Drunkard’s Path Flower Tote Bag

With your newfound Drunkard’s Path piecing skills, why not whip up this adorable retro flower tote bag?

You will need

Fabric A (caramel) one (1) fat quarter
Fabric B (black): one (1) fat eighth
Assorted neutral fabrics: total of 1/4 yard
Batting: 25in x 36in
One (1) copy each of the Arc and Quarter Circle Templates from Love Patchwork & Quilting issue 107 (available here).

Finished Size

16in square

Notes

All seam allowances are ¼in, unless noted otherwise.

Fabrics used

Print fabrics are from the Brushed collection by Sarah Watts and the First Light collection, both for Ruby Star Society.

Step one: From Fabric A cut:

Twenty four (24) 4½in squares. Subcutsixteen (16) Quarter Circle templates and eight (8) Arc templates.

Step two: From Fabric B cut:

Eight (8) 4½in squares. Subcut eight (8) Quarter Circle templates.

Step three: From the assorted neutral fabrics cut:

Twenty four (24) 4½in squares. Subcut sixteen (16) Arc templates, and leave the remaining eight (8) squares whole.
Two (2) 16½in squares (lining).
Two (2) 32in x 5in.

Step four: From the batting cut:

Two (2) 18in squares.
Two (2) 2³/₈in x 32in.

Step five: Follow the Drunkard’s Path blocks tutorial to sew the following blocks:

Sixteen blocks with neutral fabric Arcs and Fabric A Quarter Circles.
Eight blocks with Fabric A Arcs and Fabric B Quarter Circles.

Step six: Referring to the below photography, arrange twelve A/neutral blocks, four A/B blocks and four neutral 4½in squares. Check that the curved seams are pressed so that each can nest with the curved seam next to it. If any needs changing, re-press.

tote how to quilt circles 1 P

Step seven: Sew all of the blocks into rows. Press the seams to one side. Then, sew all of the rows together and press. Repeat the process detailed in steps 6–7 with the remaining squares, referring to the below photography for placement.

tote how to quilt circles 2 Q

Step eight: Make a quilt sandwich by placing each pieced block centrally and with its right side up on top of the batting. Baste and quilt as desired. Trim off the excess batting and square up each panel to measure 16½in square.

Step nine: To make the bag straps, place one 32in x 5in strip right side down. Place a 2³/₈in batting strip on top in the centre. Press the long edges towards the centre on top of the batting strip. Fold the strip in half lengthways and press, enclosing the raw edges.
Then topstitch ¹/₈in from each long edge. Repeat this process to make a second strap.

Step ten: Take one of your quilted blocks. Pin one strap along the top edge, taking care not to twist the strap. The end of the strap should be 4in from each side. Baste the strap in place with a ¹/₈in seam allowance. Place one square of lining fabric on top of the bag panel, with right sides together. Sew along the top edge of the panel. Then, open the pieces out, pressing the seam toward the lining.
Step eleven: Repeat step 10 for the second bag panel. Place the two panels right sides together, aligning the seams. Sew around the outer edge, leaving a turning gap in the bottom of the lining and backstitching at each end. Turn the bag right side out through the gap in the lining and slip stitch the lining gap closed. Push the lining inside the bag. Press around the top edge of the bag and topstitch to finish.
how to quilt circles tote final

Kate Webber

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