Saturday 19 January 2013

Tutorial: foldaway market tote

This handy reusable tote folds away into it's own pocket. Perfect for storing in your purse for spontaneous shopping sprees. I have made mine from upcycled vintage fabric, but feel free to use any lightweight cotton. The following is a sewing tutorial for making this lovely tote. You will find full instructions and free pattern to download and print.
sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
Foldaway market tote tutorial
You will need:
Fabric
Scissors
Thread
Pins
Pattern paper (squared)
Sewing machine
You will need a piece of material 84 x 71cm. Cut out the 4 main pieces plus a piece for the pocket 18 x 36cm. All seams are 1cm. You can find the pattern template for this tutorial below. It is not to scale and is for guidance only. You will need to make a template on pattern paper, I would recommend using squared paper so that you can achieve true straight edges.
downloadable sewing pattern for tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
I have also included the full two-page tutorial at the end of this blog post, you are welcome to print that out and work from those instructions.
Step 1. Fold the pocket piece with right sides {RS} together and stitch around the edge leaving a small gap.Trim the corners and turn right side out.
step one sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
Step 2. Place the pocket with the fold at the top, centrally on the right side of one main bag piece. Stitch around 3 sides.
step two sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
Step 3. Join the main pieces {RS} to {RS} at the tops of the handles. Neaten the raw edges by pinking or zig-zag machine stitch.
step three sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
Step 4. Neaten all round the inside raw edge between the handles by pinking or zig-zag machine stitch.Then turn under and sew all around the edge making a curve at the corners.You may need to clip the corners slightly.
step four sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
Step 5. Sew the bottom of the bag {RS} to {RS} and neaten the raw edges as before.
step five sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
Step 6. Pin the side pieces {RS} to {RS} by lining the top edge to the mark on the main bag piece (about 7 inches from the top) and the bottom edge centrally to the bottom seam of the bag.
step six sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
Step 7. Sew all around the seam leaving 10mm at the top. In each corner pivot your work keeping the needle down in the material. Neaten raw edges as before.
step seven sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
Step 8. Pink or zig-zag stitch around the side edge of the bag opening. Turn under and sew all around the edge. Turn bag right side out.
step eight sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
And there you have it, a strong, yet lightweight foldaway tote, handy for a multitude of uses.
sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
You are welcome to print the following two instruction pages out and work from there.
I would love to hear any comments or see any photos of your finished foldaway market totes!
Copyright: This tutorial is intended for personal use only. Please don't make these market totes to sell. You are more than welcome to share this tutorial. but if you do, please could you link back to http://www.meyouandmagoo.co.uk
full instructions for sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote
full instructions for sewing tutorial for vintage fabric foldaway market tote

And finally, if you would like to follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest, you’re more than welcome!

I also sell a range of handmade goodies, including vintage fabric cushion covers, lavender filled rabbits and owls and a gorgeous range of vintage trims browse my shop by clicking this link

9 comments:

fabriquefantastique said...

I like to call those fold away bags an 'opportunity g. You never know when you are going to need it.

Sarah Bunney Beadscrumptious said...

Fantastic! I may have a go making one of these myself ... when I can find some funky fabric!

Sarah xx

Sarah Bunney Beadscrumptious said...

Fantastic! I may have a go at making one of these myself....when I can find some funky fabric!

Sarah xx

Julian Levi said...

Great job... thanks for sharing the tutorial... I like this.
flight bags

Elizabeth - Simply Blossoms said...

Love this tutorial and what a handy bag. I've been meaning to dust off my sewing machine, and this has given me the inspiration to do that! I love how simple it is too. x #craftingismytherapy

The messy brunette said...

What a lovely bag & I loved the fabric you used. #craftingismytherapy

Unknown said...

Yep, ont to add to the to-do list to try - one can never have too many totes in life, especially ones that fold away!

Barbra said...

Hi, does this tote have a lining?

Linda said...

uncertain of how long the handles should be cut ? Please advise how many cm's from top edge? Thanks

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