"Not Your Typical Tote" Purse

With chalk and a measuring tape, measure out two 14 inch by 14 inch squares on the fabric you've chosen for the exterior of the tote purse. Also measure out two, 2 inch by 25 inch pieces. Cut.
On the fabric you've chosen for the interior of the tote purse, measure out two 14 inch by 14 inch squares. Also measure out two, 2 inch by 25 inch pieces. Cut.
On the fabric you've chosen for the fabric bow and the interior pocket measure out the following: two 4 1/2 by 5 inch pieces, one 2 inch by 4 inch piece, and two 5 inch by 7 inch pieces. Cut.
Cut two 14 inch by 14 inch pieces of iron on interfacing, as well as two 2 inch by 25 inch pieces for the straps. Also cut one 4 1/2 inch by 5 inch piece for the bow and one 5 inch by 7 inch piece for the pocket. I always lay the pieces I've cut out already on top of the iron on interfacing and use them as pattern pieces. Much easier than measuring it all out again!
Iron the iron-on interfacing to the wrong side of the two exterior pieces of the tote purse, as well as the wrong sides of the exterior pieces of the straps. Also iron the iron-on interfacing to the wrong side of one piece of the interior pocket and one piece of the fabric bow.
Make a fabric bow and pin it down to one of the exterior tote purse pieces. I pinned mine about 3 inches down from the top of the piece and about 1 1/2 inches in from the left side of the piece.
Stitch the bow to the exterior tote purse piece.
With right sides together, pin one exterior strap piece to one interior strap piece.
Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch all the way down each side of the strap (leaving the ends open for turning). Repeat with the second strap, and turn them both right side out. Once the straps are right side out, use an iron to press the seams flat.
Topstitch along both edges of the strap. Repeat with the second strap.
With right sides together, pin the ends of one strap piece to one exterior tote purse piece about two inches in from each side. Make sure the raw edges of the strap piece and the top of the tote purse piece are lined up. Repeat pinning on the second exterior tote purse piece.
With a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch the straps to the exterior tote purse pieces.
With right sides together, pin the exterior tote purse pieces together.
With a 1/2 inch seam allowance, stitch the exterior tote purse pieces together.
Now, find the bottom right hand corner of the tote purse. Press the bottom seam and the side seam of the tote together to make a triangle. Measure 1 1/2 inches up and pin, or mark with chalk. Repeat this step on the left hand corner of the tote purse.
Making sure the triangle stays flat, stitch across the triangle (in the inset you can see what the corner of the tote should look like after completing this step). Repeat this step with the other corner of the tote purse.
Trim the excess fabric off each corner of the tote purse and turn the exterior tote purse piece right side out. Now your tote purse has a flat bottom.
With right sides together, stitch the pocket pieces together. Make sure to leave a small turning hole. Turn the pocket right side out and press the seams flat with an iron.
Topstitch around the outside edge of the pocket. This closes the turning hole and gives the pocket a more finished look.
Find the center of one piece of the interior tote purse piece and the center of the pocket by folding each piece in half width wise. Line up the centers of each piece. Pin the pocket to the interior tote purse piece.
Stitch the pocket to the interior tote purse piece.
Cut two (one soft, one rough) 1 inch wide pieces of sew on velcro. Measure down 1/2 inch from the raw edge of the interior tote purse piece at the center you found in step 20. Pin the velcro to the interior tote purse piece. Repeat this step on the second interior tote purse piece.
Stitch the velcro to both interior tote purse pieces.
With right sides together, pin the interior tote purse pieces together. Then follow steps 14 - 17 to complete the interior piece of the tote purse.
Place the exterior tote purse piece inside the interior tote purse piece (right sides should be facing each other). Make sure the interior pocket is situated in what will be the back of the tote purse (basically, make sure the bow and the pocket aren't touching on the inside). Line up the raw edges and pin.
Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch all the way around the top of the tote purse. Make sure to leave a small turning hole.
Reach into the turning hole, and grab the bottom of the exterior tote purse piece and slowly start to pull it through the turning hole. Pull until the whole purse is right side out, and tuck the lining inside the tote purse. Use an iron to press top edge of the tote purse flat.
Useing a zig zag stitch, stitch around the top edge of the tote purse. This closes the turning hole and finishes the tote purse off nicely. Now pat yourself on the back because you're done!