Make these Tote Bags with Darlene Cahill. at HSN.com

What better way to do your part in the plastic bag dilemma than to make your own customized grocery bags? Fabric bags are washable, make great gifts and will last for years. These totes were made with outdoor canvas and cotton strapping, then personalized with machine embroidery. Once you start using these environmentally friendlier bags, don’t be surprised if you find yourself inundated with orders from your friends to make more!

Supplies:

½ yd. outdoor canvas
30 weight cotton thread
2 ½ yds. Of 1” cotton strapping

Directions:

Cut two pieces 17 ½” x 15” (17 ½” is width, 15” is height). Pieces are bag front and back.
Cut one piece 6” x 46”.
This is the creative part. Embroider whatever you like.
Start at the top right corner and pin the right side of the long narrow strip to the front of the bag along edges. Be sure to ‘clip’ the corners so there is no pucker at the turn.
Sew a ½” seam around all three sides removing pins as you sew.
Double stitch when you get 1” from the corner on both sides for extra reinforcement around the clip. With needle in top of clip, lift presser foot and turn 90 degrees, lower foot and continue with double stitch for the first inch.
Make a tiny ¼” clip on the exact opposite side of band where the corners turned.
Repeat steps 4-7 sewing the other side of the long strip to the back of bag piece.
Clip all four corners.
Press the seam allowance away from the strip inside the bag.
Topstitch ¼” from seam on outside of bag being sure to stitch over the seam allowance underneath. This will give extra support and strength to the seams for longer endurance through weight and wear.
Overlap the left side of the cotton strapping ¼” from the top of the wrong side of the bag. Stitch in place all the way around the top. Overlap about 1” and cut the strapping. Now backtack and zig-zag over the cut to hold down any loose threads and prevent unraveling.
Press strapping to front side and pin in place. Topstitch onto bag front along bottom edge of strapping close to edge.
Cut the remaining strapping in half. Each handle piece should be around 24”. Fold 1” under the strapping edge just below sewn top band and pin in place. The placement for this is 5” from the side seam. Repeat on the opposite side.
Stitch strapping down by outlining the rectangle and then stitching diagonally across the box from corner to corner making a large X inside a box. Repeat on both sides for both handles.
That’s it! You’re finished and the next time you go to the grocery store you’ll have a clear conscience and a bag of style!

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