Step Two

Strip piecing tote top

With right sides together stitch together three strips from all * fabrics alternating prints and using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

Press seam allowances to one side. With fabric right side up and using the pattern created earlier, lay the pattern face up on top of the fabric and cut out the tote front .

Step Three

Creating the floating pocket

With wrong sides together, stitch the short ends of the floating pocket using a ¼ inch seam, press and turn right side out. Fold the seam together encasing the raw edges. Stitch using a 3/8 inch seam. Center the seam and press. Repeat stitching, pressing and stitching once again to finish the bottom edge of the floating pocket. Divide the pocket into three sections referring to the diagram or create your own divisions. Stitch through all layers of pocket to create the divisions.

Step Four

Creating Button Tabs & Handle Tab with D ring

Cut a four inch length from the button strip cut earlier and set aside. Fold the 1 1/2 inch strips in half lengthwise right sides together stitch along the raw edges using a ½ inch seam. Turn right side out and press. Top stitch along each edge. Cut into three lengths. Fold and press referring to the diagram provided. Pin the tabs to the tote lining, evenly spacing them  along the angled top edge. The tabs should run perpendicular to the sides of the tote. The length depends on your button – insert a button and adjust the length to fit.

Cut a four inch length from the 2 inch strip cut earlier from Fabric C. With right sides facing each other, cover with the four inch length cut in the step above and stitch along either side using ½ inch seams. Turn right side out and press. Top stitch along each edge.  Fold in half and insert the D ring. Pin the tab to the tote lining at an angle using the diagram and position marked on the pattern as a guide.

Step Five

Tote Construction

D.  Lay the batting on a level surface and place the strip pieced tote front on top right side up. Place the tote lining right side down on top. Pin through all layers.

Stitch around the outside edge using a ¼ inch seam and leaving a 3 inch opening along one side. Turn right side out and press.

E.  Pin the floating pocket to the inside of the tote, on top of the lining fabric. Top stitch along the outside edge of tote stitching 1/2 inch in from the outside edge. Repeat top stitching 1/4 inch in from the first row of top stitching.

F.  Fold the bottom edge of the tote up to the position marked on the pattern and pin. Top stitch close to the outside edges along each of the sides and top edge of the tote forming and securing the tote pocket.

Press the top flap of the purse over the pocket and sew buttons to the front of the tote using the button flaps as a guide for placement.

Step Six

Creating the tote handle

Cut a two inch x 14 inch strip from the leftover ‘strip pieced’ fabric . With right sides together stitch this strip to the strip cut from the Fabric E using ½ inch seams. Turn right side out and press. Top stitch down either side of the strap. Insert the swivel clip and butt the two raw edges together and hand stitch to form a circle. Cut a four inch length from Fabric C strip cut earlier. Fold in either side ½ inch along the length of the strip and press. Turn under one end 1/2 inch and press. Wrap the strip around the butted ends of the handle starting with the raw edge. Sew in place using  a needle and thread. Attach handle to tote using the swivel clasp.