Foldover Tote

 psst... did you know Ribbon Retreat is has a special on shipping this week? Get your items shipped for less than $3. 

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I was hoping to share a project I worked on last week today, but I ended up having trouble with my pictures. So, instead-- I'm sharing the tutorial I had planned for Wednesday. The Foldover Tote!

This is one of my favorite bags to date-- I use it so much more than I thought I would! I'm working on a pattern for a more fully featured bag, but I'm absolutely thrilled to share this tutorial for an easy unlined version.

When a newly pregnant woman asks me what the most important baby gear is- I tell them  "You need a car seat!" The second? A stroller. But coming in a very, very, close third, is a good bag. 

As my kids get older, the stroller has gone by the wayside, and having the right bag for the right kind of trip is even more important than ever. Right now, I have a 3 bag system that's almost perfect (I wont bore you with the details) but fails me miserably each and every time we go to the library. I either end up carrying a back pack and a tote bag while I chase my kids around the library (and still not have enough room for all the books), or I bring a bag that's too small, and end up having to beg my children to help carry the books back to the car after a long trip. 

Watching my daughter drop the same book in the parking lot at least 12 times was the last straw. I needed a large, very large tote that could hold at least 25 picture books from the library to the car. But I also wanted something that would be compact enough that it wouldn't get in the way during story time, puppet shows and the busy library play area. 

Enter the Foldover Tote. This bag has been tested at 2 story times and a trip to the park and earns the offical Palak Stamp Of Approval. We go to the library twice a week, and being able to use both hands to corral my kids safely in and out of the library is life changing. 

Since it's unlined, this back is a quick sew, especially if you've made a simple tote before. I have to warn you-- the bag is huge! It's perfect for those of us who have to carry a lot, but you can easily adjust the bag by starting with a smaller rectangle if you want a smaller tote.  

Materials:

2 large swivel hooks

2 large d-rings

2 rectangles 24"x21" (body of the tote)

2 rectangles 4 inches by 26" (shoulder handles) 

1 4"x45 inch strip (cross body strap)

2 4" x 3" inch rectangles (d-ring tabs)

Let's Sew:

First take your two large rectangles and cut 2 inch squares from the bottom to give the bag some depth. Then sew the sides and bottom of the bag. 

 Now sew up those corners by matching the side and bottom seam.

 Turn your bag out and press. Mark how far you want the bag to fold over. I liked about 10 inches from the top. Notice how the folded over portion looks a little to wide? We are going to fix that next.

 Using your D-rings, create 2 tabs as shown.

 Now we are going to shape the top of the bag. Starting at the marked point, use your ruler to cut a wedge from the marked point as shown. This time, make sure to sew in your D-ring tabs into the seam as close to the marked point as possible. Press well.

The bag is all done, it's just a matter of making the handles!

Fold each rectangle piece in half (hot dog style), and then fold the raw edges in to meet at the center line. Fold in half and press well as shown. Topstitch the short handles to the inside of the tote. Thread the long handles through the large swivel clips. Try the cross body handle on for size and trim if necessary. Stitch as shown after folding the raw edges under.

Now your bag is good to go anywhere you might need to carry a heavy load- the library, school play, soccer game or fabric shop!

I love this bag so much, I'm considering making a fully lined and pocketed version! If you want to see more about making this bag, DIY tutorials, or just want to chat, I'd love to see you over at Make It Handmade!