Patched Tote Bag Tutorial

It's a bag for casually throwing over your shoulder to run errands, pop out for a coffee with the girls, and generally make your day so much chirpier. Beci chose a lush bold check and mustard yellow but go for whatever colour combos float your boat.

You might need to flex your muscle power to fix the big rivets- but hey, us stitchers have brawn as well as beauty. Once you've got the hang of it, why not make another one or two for gifting this Christmas? It'll surely make your girl pals pleased as punch.

MATERIALS

■ Fabric: 4 pieces fabric for outer, approx. 35 x 45cm (13 3/4 x 17 3/4in) each, including seam allowance
■ 4 pieces fabric for lining (use the same fabric as for the outer, or a contrasting colour)
■ 1 piece fabric for bottom (I used velvet), approx. 35cm (13 3/4in) square
■ 1 piece fabric for bottom lining, approx. 35cm (13 3/4in)
■ Square stiff interfacing, for bottom piece only
■ Iron
■ 16 x 12mm (1/2in) gold rivets
■ Hammer
■ 2m (2yd) of 1cm (1/2in) natural rope (size no. 7), cut in half

1. Following the TEMPLATES, cut out all the fabric pieces as indicated. 

2. Iron the interfacing onto the wrong side of the bottom piece.

3. Sew the long edges of the outer fabric pieces together to create one large piece, then sew the two long edges together to make a tube. Then repeat with the lining fabric pieces.

4. Iron all the seams open.

5. With right sides facing together, pin and then sew the bottom outer piece to the outer fabric tube. Then make small cuts around the bottom piece to make this easier to manipulate (less tucks will be needed).

6. Repeat with the lining and bottom lining pieces, but leave a 10cm (4in) gap when sewing, so you can turn the fabric the right way out later.

7. Turn the outer fabric right way out. Place the outer fabric inside the lining so that the right sides are facing. Sew the top seam.

8. Pull the outer fabric through the hole left in the bottom of the lining. Iron the top seam.

9. Using a pencil, mark small dots where the rivets are to be inserted. I positioned them on either side and two in between each seam (four rivets per panel).

10. Cut small holes in the marked spots, so that the inner cylinder of the rivet can fit through.

11. Hammer the rivets into position. Do this on a hard surface. Sew up the bottom of the lining. 

12. Thread the rope through the rivets. Thread one piece of the rope through one side of the bag and one piece through the other side, fastening each end with a knot. There, it's in the bag!