Hi friends!
Today is day 1 of the mini blog event, Making It … Jo’s little chemo goal!
Making It – the Story
Here is the mini blog event story: while at Quilt Market last fall, Joanne and I were chatting with Pati from Marcus Fabrics. Pati showed us their breast cancer fabric line, Soulful Shades of Pink, designed by Laura Berringer.
Joanne, a breast cancer survivor, loved it and said it was the first line she has ever been tempted to use to design a project for breast cancer. And so our Mini Blog Event was born! Today on her blog, Joanne is sharing more of her story and why this year in her breast cancer journey is so important to her. Click here to go read all about it.
Joanne is designing a quilt for this blog event and you will get to see it on February 21st. In the meantime, Kris and I have designed projects to go along with Joanne’s; useful projects for someone going for chemo or radiation.
I am sharing my free PDF today and Kris is sharing a tutorial today on strip piecing that I am guessing will be useful in her project. Click here to go to Kris’ post.
She will share the free PDF of her pattern next week!
My Project: a Pink Quilted Tote Bag
My project for this Mini Blog Event is an easy pink tote bag. When one heads off for chemo or radiation, you may need to bring a few items with you. Things like any medications you need, lotion, lip gloss and maybe something to read like a magazine, a book or your iPad. Snacks and a drink for your caregiver. A tote bag that can be ready to go with the essentials would be very handy!
I wanted the tote bag to be simple but stylish. So I pieced the front using 3 fabrics but used just one fabric on the back. I also added a lining; I like the bag finished on the inside and it gave me a chance to use another fabric from the line!
Quilted Tote Bag Tutorial
It is pretty easy to make this tote bag. Here are the basic steps but I have a full PDF with instructions for you. Click here to download.
First, cut all your pieces of fabric and then sew the 3 front pieces together.
Then, fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the 2 outside bag pieces and the 2 inside bag pieces.
This is one of those steps that you can skip if you want but I like my bag to be soft but have a little structure. I used Pellon Shape – Flex for my interfacing.
Next sew the 2 outside bag pieces together along the side seams and across the bottom seam. Leave the top open.
And then sew the 2 inside bag (lining) pieces together along the side seams and the bottom seam BUT leave an opening in the bottom seam of about 5”.
Handles- to make the handles, fold the 5” strips in half wrong sides together along the long edges. Open them up, fold the sides into the center crease, refold along the center fold and press.
Topstitch along both long edges. Cut the handles to about 30”.
Note: you may want your handles shorter or longer depending on how tall you are! You may want to cut them at about 28” or you may want them 32” or longer.
Now, turn the lining right sides out and tuck into the outside bag section, right sides together. Tuck the handles in between the 2 layers, one on each side of the bag, and line up the raw edges of the bag and the handles. Position the outside edges of the handles about 2 ½” in from the sides of the bag. Be careful not to twist the handles!
Sew the top seam catching the edge of the handles in the seam. Turn the bag right sides out through the opening in the lining. Tuck in the raw edges of the opening in the lining and stitch the opening closed. Tuck the lining inside the quilted tote bag and adjust the top seam. Topstitch close to the top of the bag.
Done!
Here is a link to where you can get the free PDF pattern with all the sizes to cut the fabric and more images of the steps to make the quilted tote bag.
Next week Feb 14th, Kris will share her free project, I will share a tutorial on how to add a pocket to the inside of your bag and Joanne will share more about the fabrics.
And on Feb 21, I will share how to make a flat bottom in your bag, Kris will share how to size the neck roll for children and Joanne will reveal her quilt made with the Soulful Shades of Pink fabrics! I can’t wait to see it!
happy quilting!
Kate
Note from the Marcus Fabrics website: A portion of all sales of Soulful Shades of Pink will be donated to support breast cancer research.
I love the idea of a fabric designed for Breast Cancer and the fabric is beautiful and I can hardly wait to purchase it. Thank you for the pattern for a tote and the I will appreciate the direction for a pocket. I like my totes to have pockets to keep small items easily accessable.
Marge,
I like to have pockets in my tote bags as well. Great for keys or my phone…