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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
3h00

The Keisha Bag Tutorial
Large Purse, Grocery Tote, Book Bag
(It was late when I put this together. Let me know if I've made any mistakes, or if you have questions!)

From Main Fabric Cut:
-Outside body-2@ 14"x 15"
-Sides-2 @ 5"x 15"
-Bag bottom-1@ 5"x 14"
-Back pocket- 2@ 10"x 14"
-Handles- 2@ 6"x 22"
-tabs- 2 @ 2"x 5"
-inside pocket-1 @ 6.5"x 10"

From Accent fabric cut:
-Lining body-2 @ 14"x 15"
-Lining Sides- 2@ 5"x 15"
-Lining bottom-1 @ 5"x 14"
-Handle accent- 2@ 2.5"x 22"
-Back pocket accent- 1@ 3"x 14"
-Front ties- 2@ 6"x 22"

From Fusible interfacing cut:
-Purse body- 4 @ 14" x 15"
-Purse side- 4 @ 5" x 15"
-Purse Bottom- 2 @ 5"x 14"

Before you begin sewing:
-Cut out all pieces. Mark them by writing (in pencil) on the wrong side of fabric.
-Fuse interfacing to purse and lining pieces.
-Take a deep breath.

Posted by Lola...again!!! from U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, United States • Published See Lola...again!!!'s 8 projects »
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  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 1
    Step 1

    We'll start with the back pocket. You'll need 2 back pocket pieces, and pocket accent piece.
    Sandwich edge of accent piece between pocket pieces.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 2
    Step 2

    Stitch across top with a 1/2" seam allowance.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 3
    Step 3

    Press sandwich open. Then fold along the seam and press under.

    Fold and press pocket accent in half.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 4
    Step 4

    Fold over onto pocket. Press then topstitch edges.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 5
    Step 5

    Pin Pocket on one of the Body Pieces

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 6
    Step 6

    sew sides to back piece with 1/2" seams.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 7
    Step 7

    Fold sides behind, and press on fold

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 8
    Step 8

    Edge stitch seams

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 9
    Step 9

    Now set this piece aside. We are going to work on the parts that make up the front of the bag,
    beginning with the Tabs (like belt loops).

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 10
    Step 10

    Fold tabs in half and press a crease into them. Open them back up and fold the
    raw edges into the center. Press again.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 11
    Step 11

    Do the same thing with ties but don't topstitch yet!

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 12
    Step 12

    Take one end of each tie and fold it the wrong way.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 13
    Step 13

    Stitch end closed, at 1/4"

    Clip corner, turn right side out, and press it

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 14
    Step 14

    Lay the back next to the front as a guide for Tie placement

    Top stitch down both sides, and across finished end.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 15
    Step 15

    Measuring , to make sure they are level, is always a good idea!

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 16
    Step 16

    Now it is time to put on the Tabs. Measure 4" from edge of purse front.
    Fold ends of tabs under 1/2" and press. Pin them on each side at the same measurements.
    Make a couple of stitching lines across the tops and bottoms of tabs.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 17
    Step 17

    Tie a cute little bow on the front.
    Attach side/back piece to the front, folding seams and top stitching down each side.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 18
    Step 18

    This next step may seem a little tricky, but somehow it just magically works right.
    We're going to put the bottom in the bag!

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 19
    Step 19

    Take your bottom piece and center one end along one side/bottom of bag.
    Mark where the seams are with pins.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 20
    Step 20

    Sew from seam to seam with 3/4" seam allowance.
    Stop when you get to the second pin, leave your needle down.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 21
    Step 21

    Lift your presser foot and pivot your purse bottom piece around..........

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 22
    Step 22

    ...until it is even with one of the long edges of purse body. Continue to sew until you reach the next seam. Leave the needle down and pivot purse bottom again. Keep going until you have done all 4 sides!!!

    Clip the corners close to the seam line. Turn right side out and press.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 23
    Step 23

    Now we are going to make the straps/ purse handles.
    Take the fabric for the handles and do the same thing to them that you did to the Tabs....you know, that fold-open-fold raw edges-press-fold again. Make sure you top stitch down both sides.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 24
    Step 24

    The accent for the handles is done a little differently.
    Fold in half, press, open and fold raw edges into the center line, press again.
    That is it!!

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 25
    Step 25

    Top stitch accent to handles by sewing down each side

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 26
    Step 26

    Instead of Flod-ing your pocket, Fold it in half. Sew around the 3 raw edges
    leaving an opening for turning inside out. Clip corners close to seam, turn and press.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 27
    Step 27

    Place pocket on one of the body lining pieces. Put it where you want it
    but measure to make sure it is level.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 28
    Step 28

    pin in place. stitch edges marked in red

  • Step 29

    This is a really long tutorial.......I'll shorten it by about 12 pictures by telling you to sew the lining together with a 3/4" seam allowance. You don't need to top stitch the seams this time. Set the bottom in just like before.
    *************
    We're almost there!!!!

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 30
    Step 30

    Put purse inside the lining.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 31
    Step 31

    Matching seams, pin bag and lining together.

    Sew around top edge at 1/2". Leave opening between handles.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 32
    Step 32

    Turn right side out. Tuck lining inside the purse, and press around the top edge.
    I rolled about 1/8" of the lining to the front for a decorative edge.

  • How to make a tote bag. The Keisha Bag - Step 33
    Step 33

    Stitch around top edge.
    You're DONE!!!

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Comments

rouge s.
rouge s. · Mexico City, Federal District, MX · 14 projects
the fabrics you used are oh so pretty!!! Definitely going to my "to-make list"
Reply
sagda55 s.
sagda55 s.
Great
I will try it
Reply

CO + K User

Great looking bag and awesome tute! It is well detailed and easy to fallow. I will try it out and let you know how it goes. Happy
Reply
Crafty Girl
Crafty Girl · La Cañada Flintridge, California, US
Cool bag! it is exactly what I need.But it looks kind of hard to make
Reply
Crafty Girl
Crafty Girl · La Cañada Flintridge, California, US
Cool bag! it is exactly what I need.But it looks kind of hard to make
Reply
KMOM14
KMOM14 · Fort Wayne, Indiana, US · 378 projects
It looks very fashionable and like it would store a lot - my kind of bag! This is going on my to-do project list.

Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us.
Reply

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