Give kids an oh-so-sweet way to collect candy this Halloween during trick-or-treating with a personalized candy corn tote bag. Even if you are new to sewing, this is a project this is entirely doable in the span of an afternoon (or less!).
Let me show you how easily this comes together.
For this project, you will need…
Cotton duck fabric in three colors: white, yellow and orange
White Kona cotton
Rotary cutter and mat
Coordinating thread
Iron-on letter decals, letter stencils and paint, or embroidery machine
Washable ink marker
Basic sewing supplies: machine, shears, tape measure, etc.
To begin, use the rotary cutter and mat to make your fabric cuts. For each tote, you will need…
From the white duck cloth: (2) pieces cut to 5.5×14″
From the yellow duck cloth: (2) pieces cut to 5.5×14″
From the orange duck cloth: (2) pieces cut to 8×14″ and (2) pieces cut to 4×16″
From the white Kona cotton: (2) pieces cut to 14×16″
Note: All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise indicated.
Place 1 of the white duck and 1 of the yellow duck pieces together, right sides facing. Pin. Stitch along one of the long edges. Press seam open.
Align 1 of the 8×14″ orange duck pieces with the long edge of the white section so that the right sides are facing. Pin, stitch, and press seams open. Repeat with the remaining white, orange and yellow duck pieces so that you have 2 complete assembled panels for the front and back of the tote.
If you prefer to personalize the tote, now is the best time to do so. Place one of the assembled panels face up on a work surface so that the yellow panel is at the top and the orange panel is at the bottom, and apply the lettering to the center of the white panel.
I used my CAMEO to cut lettering for my bag from flocked heat transfer material, but you could also machine embroider the lettering on, or use pre-purchased iron-on letters or stencils and paint. There are lots of options!
Pin the assembled front and back panels together, right sides facing, and stitch along the side and bottom (orange) edge, pivoting at the lower corners. Snip corners and press seams open.
Create a 3″ boxed corner at each of the lower corners.
How to sew boxed corners
Did you know that it is possible to take any two rectangular pieces of fabric t hat are st it ched
together and turn them into a dimensional project to create totes, bags and more? The
secret : boxed corners!
STITCH FABRIC PIECES.
Place the two fabric pieces together, right sides facing, and stitch along the side and bottom edges. The seam allowance used will depend on the specifications for your particular project . For this example, I have used a 1/2” seam allowance. Clip corners, and press seams open.
NOTE: Pressing is a very important step here to facilitate step 2, so don't be tempted to skip that step!
FOLD AND PRESS.
Working at one of the bottom corners, pinch the fabric in such a way that the bottom seam and the side seam are perfectly aligned. Press to help ensure the corner stays aligned. Repeat with the remaining corner and side seams.
Notice how having the seams pressed open helps to see when the seams are lined up accurately.
MEASURE, MARK & PIN.
With the piece laid out on a flat work surface,
measure across the corner with the ruler. The width of the line you measure will vary depending upon the depth of the finished project.
For instance, measuring a wider line will result in a bag or tote that is shorter in height and wider at the base, while a measuring a shorter line will result in a project that is taller in height and narrower at the base. For this tote bag project , I am measuring a line that is 3” across.
To ensure the corner is trimmed evenly, the ruler should form a 45-degree angle with each of its
adjacent sides. (Most clear rulers made specifically for use with rotary cutters have these angles marked clearly on the corner of the ruler, as seen below.)
The distance from each of the out side edges to the center seam should be equal. For example, since my line totals 3” across, there is 1.5” from the center seam to each of the side edges.
When the ruler is placed correct ly, use the washable ink pen to mark the measurement. Place
two pins across the mark to ensure the fabric doesn't shift in the next step.
STITCH & TRIM.
Stitch directly over the mark, removing the pins as you go. Trim the seam and turn the piece right side
out.
YOUR BOXED CORNER IS COMPLETE!
HELPFUL HINTS + TIPS
1. When stitching lined projects, make sure that the measurement of the boxed corners of both the outer piece and the lining piece are exactly the same.
2. Pressing the seams open in step 1 will result in a polished, professional seam that lies flat along t he entire perimeter of the piece, as seen at left . Don't be tempted to skip that step!
When the boxed corners are complete, press the top edge of the outer piece down toward the inside of the piece. Turn the piece right-side out and set it aside.
Next, you will prepare the lining pieces in a similar fashion. Place the white Kona cotton pieces together, right sides facing, and pin. Stitch along the 2 long side edges and 1 short bottom edge, pivoting at the corners. Clip corners and press seams open. Create a 3″ boxed corner at each of the corners. When the boxed corners are complete, press the top edge of the lining piece down toward the inside of the piece. Leave the piece wrong-side out.
Slip the lining piece down and inside the outer piece, as shown.
Make sure the side seams and the top edges of each are precisely aligned. Pin. Stitch 1/8″ from the edge around the entire top perimeter of the tote to secure the pieces together. Set the completed tote body aside for now to prepare the strap pieces.
To prepare the straps, fold in each of the short edges of one of the 4×16″ orange duck pieces by 1/4″ and press. Fold the piece in half lengthwise; press. Fold one of the long edges of the piece up toward the center crease, as shown. Press.
Fold the top edge down toward the crease in a similar fashion. Press. Fold the entire piece in half along the center crease.
Stitch 1/8″ around the entire perimeter of the piece to secure. Repeat with the remaining 4×16″ orange duck piece.
Pin the straps to the front and back of the body of the tote so that each edge is 3″ from its respective side seam and the bottom edge of each of the strap ends extend 1.5″ down from the top edge of the tote.
Secure each of the strap ends to the tote body by stitching a rectangle with an X at the center, as shown.
Your candy corn tote bag is complete!
These are such a fun way for children to collect candy on Halloween night…
…and because the totes are personalized, everyone’s candy will be sure to stay in the right hands! At least until a sneaky mama sneaks away one or two of the Snickers bars.
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