Hushabye Tote Bag and Coin Quilt

1 Hushabye Jelly Roll
Yardage for Lining
Yardage for Front and Back Panel of Tote.
Fusible Fleece
Medium to Heavyweight Interfacing

I used the left over Jelly Roll strips from the Tote Bag to make a Coin Quilt based on Amandajean’s Stacked Coins Quilt tutorial. Instead of cutting charm squares in half, I cut the Jelly Roll strips at 5″. You can find her tutorial HERE.

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Tote Bag Front & Back:
from Fabric – Cut 2 @ 14″ x 15 1/2″
from Fusible Fleece – Cut 2 @ 14″ x 15 1/2″
Tote Bag Lining:
from Fabric – Cut 2 @ 14″ x 15 1/2″
from Interfacing – Cut 2 14″ x 15 1/2″
Front Pocket:
from Jelly Roll Strips – Cut 16 @ 10″ (for outside pocket)
from Fabric – Cut 2 @ 9 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ (pocket lining)
from Fusible Fleece – Cut 2 9 1/2″ x 15 1/2″
Handle:
Choose 2 strips (I like using the same color)
from Fusible Fleece – Cut 1 @ 2 1/2″ x 44″

Iron 14″ x 15.5″ Fusible Fleece to wrong side of front and back pieces.

To make Outside Pockets;
Sew 8 – 10″ Jelly Roll Strips together twice (for back and front pockets).

Iron 9″ x 15 1/2″ Fusible Fleece to wrong side of Pocket pieces.

Quilt as desired. Now lay the trim piece right sides together at top of pocket,
then lay the pocket lining piece on top of trim, pin well.

Sewing pocket lining, trim and pocket front.

(I used muslin for my pocket lining and a Brown Jelly Roll
strip ironed in half and ironed in half again for the trim.

Fold lining piece up as shown in next photo and press.

Then fold lining piece to the back and press again.
The seam is bulky, so you may need to use some pins and perhaps
top stitch, so lining doesn’t show. Lay pocket pieces right side up, on top of Front and Back Panels.
The Pocket pieces might be a little larger
than the Front and Back Panels, Center the pocket piece
and then trim to fit.
Sew a couple seams from top to bottom of pocket,
to make outside pockets.

A close up view of the outside pocket.
I created 3 pockets on each side of the Tote Bag,
by sewing 2 seams on each side.
Handle:
Sew 2 strips together.
Press each raw edges into the centerIron 2 1/2″ x 44″ long fusible fleece to center of handle.
See photo.

Fold raw edges towards middle again,
Fold in half, pressing and pinning as you go.

I like to stitch 3 times down the handle for looks and strength.
Cut handle in half. Now you have 2 handles.
Place Handles aprox 3″ in from each side of the bag front and bag back.
Sew a scant 1/4″ to hold handles in place.
Create your own pockets for inside of Tote Bag.
I used scraps of Jelly Roll Strips, sewn together
to form a pocket. Sew pocket to lining.
Place bottom of pocket 5″ up from bottom of lining.

Here is the small Cell Phone pocket I made.
And a larger pocket for keys and misc.
Sew front and back panels right sides together leaving the top open.
Cut a 3″ square template.
Lay it on the bottom corners of the bag.
Front and Back.
Trace with a pen or pencil.

Box the corners and sew along the line.
Cut the excess fabric about 1/4″ to 1/2″ from seam line. Sew lining right sides together, leaving a good amount of space
on the bottom, open for turning.
Do the same for the lining.
Turn the lining right side out.

Place the lining in the Tote Bag, matching side seams.
Pin around the entire top.
Stitch the top of the Tote Bag all the way around.

Put your hand through the lining opening and turn the bag
right side out. Press the top edge. Top stitch.

You’re all done!
This is a great size for a purse. Not too wide and a little deeper than most.
Or it would make a great Diaper Bag too.
If you want to create a solid bottom for your bag.
You’ll need a firm piece of cardboard covered in
fabric to put in the bottom.
The cardboard should measure approx. 5 1/2″ x 9″

What a great gift this would make for a new mom! A cute tote bag she can either use for herself or as a diaper bag, with a matching quilt. Finished size of Tote Bag is approx. 10.5″ tall x 5.5″ deep x 14″ wideFinished Size of Quilt is approx. 41″ x 50″
{for quilt instructions, see Amandajean’s MBS Tutorial, HERE}

Jodi {www.pleasant-home.com}