Our Favorite Tote – Free Instructions!

Free Pattern + 3 Wishes Fabric = Our Favorite Tote!

Boho Owls Tote

We used “Boho Owls“,  artist Connie Haley’s quilt-shop only digital print line to update our favorite tote bag pattern.  You’ll pick a yard of your favorite print, a fat quarter for the outside pocket, and another for inside pockets.  The new instructions show cutting for directional prints so you don’t have to make the adjustments. New diagrams will help you quilt your fabric to fusible fleece batting and create pockets.

We love using cotton webbing to accent our fabrics and create the handles. Because the webbing goes under the tote, it feels like it can hold a little more than usual. Who hasn’t overloaded a quickly-made tote and popped a handle?  The accent webbing also sews down your pocket on both sides, saving time placing and top stitching them in place. You’ll love this technique.

Tips …

Top stitching all around the bag isn’t as hard to do as you might think. Just manipulate and flatten the edge to give a flat sewing area. At the corner, leave the needle down, lift the foot and gently turn the bag, smoothing the edge on the next side. You are sewing through at least two layers of batting and fabric, so go slowly. The top stitching was also used at the bottom of the pocket so small things won’t slip to the base of the bag.

You can make one in an afternoon, unless you can’t decide on your fabric combos. You may end up making more than one!  They make  great gifts, too. The size is about 13″ x 12″ and 5″ wide. Here’s the link for the free pattern:  Boho Owls Tote.    Enjoy!