Market Grocery Tote

 

 

Market or Grocery Tote Instructions

General Info:  This little tote is a great replacement for the plastic bags you get at the supermarket.  Washable, easily stored.  Keep a couple in your car for all those quick stops at the market.  They are also a great use for old sheets or pillow cases.  The finished size is approximately 17" wide x 15" tall with a 5" gusset.  Great for the environment too!

The best fabrics for this project are ones that wash easily.  These instructions are based on a 44" wide quilt fabric.  The fabric should be pre-washed and pressed before using.

Legal Stuff:  These instructions are free for personal use.  You CAN NOT sell or distribute my  instructions or any of the other information on this website.  You may, however, sell items you have made from the free instructions and  patterns on this site.  

All pictures are "thumbnails".  Please click for a larger view.

 

 

Items needed:

    
1/2 yard A -  tote outside material
1/2 yard B - tote lining material
Thread
Rotary Mat
Rotary Cutter
Quilting Ruler
Seam Ripper
Marking Pen
 market tote 1.jpg (321434 bytes)  

Instructions:

                                                                                                                              
Cut Fabric A so that it measures 18" (1/2 yard) wide by 35" long

Cut fabric B so that it measures 18" (1/2 yard) wide by 35" long

 market tote 2.jpg (217702 bytes)  
Fold fabric A in half so the right sides are together. Press and sew a 1/2 inch seam on both sides.  Press seams open. market tote 3.jpg (281969 bytes) market tote 4.jpg (171833 bytes)
Fold fabric B in half so the right sides are together. Press and sew a 1/2 inch seam on both sides.  Press seams open. market tote 5.jpg (276463 bytes) market tote 5.jpg (276463 bytes)
Make Gusset.  On fabric A: Align side seam and bottom center forming a point.  .  Pin together. Using a quilt ruler, mark a line at the 5 inch point.  (see photo)  Repeat on the other side. market tote 7.jpg (169782 bytes) market tote 8.jpg (223775 bytes)
Sew along the marked line.  Be sure to backstitch to secure the edges.  I use a double stitch for extra security.  Clip off point.  Repeat on other side.  market tote 9.jpg (183432 bytes) market tote 10.jpg (179607 bytes)
Repeat Make Gusset for fabric B    
Make handles:  Take one of the remaining fabric pieces and fold in half lengthwise.  Open and cut along the crease to make 2 pieces approximately 4.5"wide  x 18" long.  (see photo).   market tot 11.jpg (255689 bytes) market tote 12.jpg (187604 bytes)
Fold each piece in half lengthwise. Press. market tote 13.jpg (281443 bytes)  
Open fabric flat, right side down. Fold lengthwise to the middle crease.  Repeat on other side. market tote 14.jpg (167161 bytes)  
Fold handle in half again and stitch 1/4" from each handle side. market tote 15.jpg (177846 bytes) market tote 16.jpg (99462 bytes)
Repeat folding and sewing for second handle.  Trim ends so both handles are the same lenght market tote 17.jpg (176644 bytes)  
Attach handles:  Place handles of the outside of fabric A.  Sew making sure to backstitch to secure ends. market tote 18.jpg (172579 bytes)  
Place fabric A inside of fabric B.  Right sides should be facing  each other with wrong sides facing out.  Pin side seams together. market tote 19.jpg (125369 bytes)  
Stitch around the top of the tote using a 1/4 inch seam.  Be sure to backstitch to secure . market tote 20.jpg (111101 bytes)  
Using a seam ripper,  remove the stitching on one of the sides of the tote.  It should be just large enough to pull the tote through the hole.   market tote 21.jpg (125516 bytes)  
Pull the tote through the hole so that it the right side of fabric A is on the outside and the right side of fabric B is on the inside.    
Press and top stitch 1/4" around the top of the tote. market tote 22.jpg (122056 bytes)  
Place inside seams together and stitch closed    

Voila!  A market tote ready to use.

 

 market tote 23.jpg (290268 bytes)

 

 

 

 

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Copyright 2007 © Carol Matheson Rev.  01/12/2008