Earth Day Tote Bag Project
Celebrate Earth day by using sustainable fabric to create a reusable tote bag perfect for everyday use or trips to the farmer’s market.
Embroider the tote with a lovely leaf-and-vine design, either by hand or machine.
Leafy Greens Tote Bag
SUPPLIES
- 1 yard of undyed hemp/linen blend fabric
- 1/2 yard of green mediumweight cotton fabric
- 3?” x 11” rectangle of stiff plastic or heavyweight interfacing
- All-purpose thread & rayon embroidery thread (optional; for machine embroidery)
- Paper-backed adhesive tear-away stabilizer (optional; for machine embroidery)
- Assorted shades of green embroidery floss (optional; for hand embroidery)
- Embroidery hoop (optional; for hand embroidery)
- Embroidery needle (optional; for hand embroidery)
- Removable fabric marker
- Fabric glue
PREPARATION
Download the Leafy Greens purse pattern; cut out.
From the linen, cut two outer bags, two 41?8”x 263?4” straps and two 15?8”x 161?4” facings.
From the cotton fabric, cut two linings and one 51?4”x 101?2” pocket.
Round the plastic rectangle corners using a bowl so they don’t poke through the linen.
Transfer the Leafy Greens embroidery design onto each outer bag.
Thread the needle with three strands of embroidery floss. Hoop one outer bag right side up. Embroider each leaf and vine using a stem stitch, alternating shades of green embroidery floss.
Stitch the leaf veins using a long straight stitch.
Repeat to embroider the remaining bag piece.
Instead of hand embroidery, choose a machine embroidery design of your choice. Choose an allover design that mimics the featured hand embroidered leaves and stems, or embroider your favorite design collection on various areas of the bag front and back. Avoid hooping the hemp-blend fabric; instead hoop a piece of adhesive-backed tear-away stabilizer with the paper side facing up. Score the paper within the hoop frame; peel it away to reveal the adhesive. Place the fabric right side up over the hooped stabilizer; finger-press to secure. Embroider each design, rehooping stabilizer and re-placing the fabric as needed until each design is complete.
CONSTRUCTION
Use 3?8” seam allowances unless otherwise noted.
With right sides together, stitch the linen bag sides and lower edges. Press open the seams.
Pinch the bag lower corners, aligning the side and lower seams. Stitch across the short edges to box the corners.
Turn the bag right side out.
Position one facing strip along one lining piece upper edge with right sides together; stitch. Press the seam toward the lining. Topstitch the lining 1?8” from the seam. Repeat to stitch the remaining facing strip to the remaining lining piece.
Serge- or zigzag-finish the pocket perimeter. Fold the pocket edges 3?8” to the wrong side; press. Designate one long edge as the upper edge. Fold the upper edge 5?8” to the wrong side; press.
Stitch the upper edge close to the first fold. Using a removable fabric marker, draw two pocket divider lines, each 31?4” from and parallel to each side edge.
Position the pocket over one lining piece, following the pattern marking; pin. Edgestitch the pocket side and lower edges, and then stitch along each pocket divider line.
With right sides together, stitch the lining sides and lower edges. Press open the seams. Box the lower corners.
Fold each strap in half lengthwise with right sides together; press. Stitch the long open edges. Turn the straps right side out; press, and then edgestitch each long edge.
Fold the bag and lining upper edges 5?8” to the wrong side; press.
Dot fabric glue along the bag base. Position the plastic rectangle over the bag base; let the glue dry.
Position the lining inside the bag with wrong sides together; pin the upper edge. Position the strap short ends between the bag and lining layers according to the pattern markings; pin, making sure the straps aren’t twisted.
Topstitch 1?16” from the bag upper edge.
Stitch 1?8” below the first stitching line; press.
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