This ultra sturdy and ultra exciting oilcloth tote is the perfect grocery store companion. It's made with the new Echino Oilcloth. We love so many of these prints that we couldn't choose just one so this bag features three! This tote is a truly quick and useful project plus it's put together in a cool way since it has a circular bottom.
Materials
- 1/2 yard of Echino Oilcloth in Fuchsia Bird Garland (outer panel fabric 1)
- 1/2 yard of Echino Oilcloth in Natural Bird Pixel (outer panel fabric 2)
- 1/2 yard of Echino Oilcloth in Black Jungle (bottom and handle fabric)
- 1 spool of 100% cotton thread in color 5980
Cutting
Cut one 15 1/2-inch by 18-inch piece from each of the outer panel fabrics.
To cut out the circular bottom you can either use a large compass that can open to 5 1/2-inches or you can make a pretty good circle using the method below:
- Cut a 12-inch length of string or leftover yarn.
- Tie one end of the string to the loop end of a safety pin so it's secure. Pin the safety pin to the middle of the wrong side of the bottom fabric.
- Pull the string taught and tie a pencil to the string, 5 1/2-inches from the safty pin.
- Hold down the fabric and trace a circle by keeping the pencil at a 90-degree angle and the string taught.
Cut out the circle.
Cut two 18-inch X 2 1/2-inch strips from the handle fabric.
Sewing the Sides
Orient your outside panels so the right side of the fabric is facing you and the pattern is right side up.
Fold the top edge over onto the right side of the fabric 1/4-inch twice and pin it down. Do this on both outside panels.
Sew this fold down with a scant 1/4-inch seam allowance.
The wrong side of this fabric is a pretty natural linen blend so it makes a nice border!
Pin your outer panels right sides together with the top folds matching up.
Sew the sides with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Do not sew the bottom.
This is now the bag body.
Sewing the Bottom
Mark both the bottom panel and the bag body into quarters as described below:
Fold your bottom circle fabric into quarters and mark it at the edge of each quarter fold as in the picture above.
Fold the sewn together outer panels in half, side seam to side seam, and mark the middle on both sides. The side seams will represent the other two markings- thus marking the bag body into quarters as well.
Pin the bag bottom to the bag body right sides together by first matching up and pinning the quarter markings on each piece as shown above.
Then fill in the rest of the diameter with pins. You might need to do a bit of pulling to get the bottom panel to lay flat. Use as many pins as you need, the more the merrier!
Sew around the diameter of the bottom panel with a 1/4-inch seam allowance and then zig zag stitch around the edge of the circle.
Turn the bag right side out.
Sewing on the Handles
For each of the bag handle pieces:
Fold the long sides towards the right side of the fabric, 1/4-inch twice and pin down, just as you did for the top of the outer bag panels. Sew these folds down with a scant 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Fold the short ends of the bag handles 1/2-inch to the wrong side and finger press down.
Pin each sides of each of the bag handles to the bag 2 1/4-inches deep and 5-inches from nearest side seam as shown above. Make sure to keep the bag handle ends tucked under.
Sew the handles 1/4-inch from the edge of the 2 1/4-inch X 1 1/2-inch rectangle where the handles are overlapping the bag body. Then sew a big "X" through this rectangle to keep it nice and secure.
Voila! You're all finished.
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