I have created this tote bag to highlight the flexibility of the cotton/blend fabric donation that we received for our
Fabric Sale which is happening in a couple of weeks. This fabric was used to make scrubs for health care professionals and is of very good quality though it is all solid colours. I used white, red and navy for this bag and lined it with a cotton fabric featuring scenes from London. This is my first star block made with half square triangles and solid squares (2"). I added two pieces of navy to each side to make it the width I wanted and then added a piece at the top to make a nice finished edge for my pockets. I added a piece at the bottom as well to make it proportional to the bag but on hindsight I should maybe have increased the size of the top section to center the quilt block. I cut a large layer of red (16" by 32" or so) and stitched the bottom edge of the pocket panel in place after folding the edge under. Then I stitched on each side of the quilt square which created three pockets. I created two handles (1.75" by about 18"long) using red on one side and navy on the other. Next, I created my lining using the London fabric. I had to cut two pieces so I could get the graphics to be in the upright direction. I added some navy and red strips to make an accent on this piece as well and stitched the bottom and two sides leaving an opening on the one side so I could turn it inside out. I put the outside into the turned in side out lining and inserted my handles in between the two and then stitched the top edge all the way around - triple stitching at the handles. I turned it inside out and pushed the lining into the bag and stitched a couple more times all the way around the top. I turned it back to inside out and stitched box corners (2") on both the bag and the lining. Turned it back to right sides out and tucked in the lining and stitched the box corners together with a few little lines of stitching which makes it reversible!!! I hand stitched the opening on the lining closed and pressed it well. I am happy with how it turned out. My quilt square could have been more accurate but for my first one it was good to go. It will be featured at the Fabric Sale next to
the quilt I made with the same fabric to help people envision what can be created with these fabrics. We will be selling these scraps for $2 for a 2lb bag. Therese
