tote bag

This is the bag I was telling you about yesterday.  Tea dye 1 or 2 flour sack towels depending on what size you want your tote to be, let dry and press.  Cut 4 rectangles 1" larger than you want your bag to be.  I cut mine 9X10  Layer your pieces with thin batting in between, pin and sew around the pieces in a very random pattern.  Use contrasting thread to make the stitches show up.  Lay out pieces of lace and trim until you like the way they look, pin and stitch down.  there is no right or wrong way to do this.  Pin  two pieces together and stitch the sides and end.  This is the front and back of your bag.  Cut 2 pieces from your lining fabric the same width but 2" taller than your bag.  Add pockets or stitch in zip top freezer bags across the bottom for extra storage if you want.  Leave a 11/4" opening on each side 11/2 inches from the top.  Put the lining inside the outer bag, fold the top over to the outside and turn that edge under 1/4".  Top stitch around the bag along this edge.  You should have a band of your lining fabric showing on the top 1" of your bag.  Now look back inside where I had you leave the openings in the seams.  Cut 2 pieces of a broken 1" tape measure the width of your bag and slide them into this pocket on the inside, make sure the rounded side faces out.  add a few hand stitches to close up the seams.  This makes a great snap closure.  Of course you could just use Velcro or a button.  Once you're done with the sewing add other embellishments with fabric or Tacky glue.  Like buttons, flowers, stamping what ever looks good to you.  HAPPY CRAFTING!!