Brendan & Tiffany Sullivan

A couple of years ago, I bought a bag like this at Target. I decided to try to make my own tonight.

I made a zip-up shopping tote!

It folds up and will fit nicely in my purse. I made it with my lovely gingerbread house fabric.

1. Cut: 2 rectangles 17.5″ x 16.75″; 2 rectangles 4″ x 18″; 1 rectangle 9″ x 8″

2. pin 16″ zipper to single 9″ x 8″ rectangle

3. Sew the zipper around the rectangle beginning in the middle of the longer side (9″ side)

see the Target bag?

4. fold and press the straps (4″ x 18″ rectangles)

5. stitch the handles

6. pin the pocket (the 8″ side is the horizontal) to one of the larger rectangles (the 16.75″ length is the horizontal)

7. Sew the pocket (don’t sew the top!)

8. pin and sew the bag’s sides and bottom (I attempted my first French seam)

9. fold down a hem, tuck the straps under the hem, and sew the hem

10. flip the straps up and sew a box and X

Time to fold, zip, and go!

1. fold the sides

2. fold up the bottom and top

3. fold again and zip up!

So I definitely need more practice, but I think I did a decent job for my first time. I can’t wait to try it again and see how I improve.

Love,

Tiff