Categories: Gifts, Bags and Totes, Spring, Summer

This farmer’s market tote is big enough to carry all your fruit and vegetable purchases, keeping your hands free as you select the perfect produce. The Shield lining will keep your tote moisture and allergen resistant.

What you need to make this project

Materials: (2) 18.5" x 19.5" Shield Liner Fabric; (2) 18.5 " x 19.5" Stabilize Interfacing; (2) 18.5" x 14" pieces print fabric; (2) 18.5" x 5.5" pieces of canvas fabric; (2) 4" x 24" Stabilize Interfacing for handles; (2) 4" x 24" pieces canvas fabric for handles; (2) 18.5" x 19.5" liner fabric; Coordinating thread

Supplies: Sewing maching; Fabric scissors

Instructions

Step One

Sew the 18.5″ x 14″ print fabric panels to the 18.5″ x 5.5″ canvas panels. These pieces will be the front and back of your tote.

Step Two

Iron the Stabilize interfacing onto the back of the fabric panels, then tack the Shield fabric over it, with the shiny side facing up. This layer will help block moisture that may be inside your bag from the wet fruit and vegetables that you purchase at the market.

Step Three

Make a gusset for the bottom of the bag. To do this, fold the bottom corner so that the sewed seams meet. Stitch across one inch down. Clip corner and push out gusset. You can watch a video of how to make a gusset here.

Step Four

Fold the top of the pieces of fabric over (wrong sides facing) by 1″ to create a finished hem at the top of your bag. Stitch in place.

Step Five

Place the front and back pieces together, right sides facing. Pin in place and then stitch sides and bottom. Leave the hemmed top open. Clip corners, and turn bag right side out. Push gussets out.

Step Six

Make the handles. Iron the interfacing and fabric for the handles together. Fold in half, and then reopen. Fold long edges towards the center and press. Fold in half again and press. Stitch along the long edge.

Step Seven

Stitch the handles onto the bag, 4.5″ in from the side. Be sure not to twist the handles when attaching the ends to the bag!

Step Eight

Sew lining pieces together, right sides facing. Turn out. Fold top edge down and sew a finished edge. Pin the liner bag into the main tote bag, WRONG sides facing. Stitch around the top. Make sure the handles are not sewn between the liner and the outside tote fabric.