Large Tote Bag

This project is actually a wedding gift for my sister.  We decided not to have a bridal party for the wedding, but if we had, my sister probably would've been my Matron of Honor.  I wanted to make something for her to thank her for her love and support, even from across the Pacific, and for flying over to join us.

I didn't have a pattern for this, so the ideas sort of morphed over time.  I found a thick, canvas-like fabric with yellow and white strips at Savers and thought it was nice and beachy.  I figured she could use a big tote bag to hold all her beach volleyball gear.  As a bonus, I realized that cutting fabric with stripes is super easy because there are already lines to cut along!

Originally, I was going to make this a zippered bag, but I couldn't find a zipper long enough.  Instead, I decided to make my own flap with a magnetic closure.  I also played around with different options, like making a flat, front and back panel bag, but decided to make side panels as well so the bag could open wider and stand up a little more.


I decided to use two pieces (21" x 15" each) for the front and back panels, one piece (21" x 4") for the bottom, and two pieces (4" x 15") for the side panels.  I made the lining out of fabric I bought in Japan and used a chambray fabric I bought online for the bottom and closure.

After doing some mental gymnastics to try to figure out how to attach the lining to the bag, I decided to do the simplest thing -- just insert the lining into the bag and sew them together by folding down the top of the exterior.

Working with lots of thick fabric was pretty challenging, as I had stabilized the already thick fabric with some thick interfacing.  I also did some things in the wrong order -- most notably, I decided after putting the bag together that I should attach an exterior pocket.  I had to maneuver the whole bag under the sewing machine while trying to attach the pocket.  Next time I'll know to do this before putting the bag together!

Also, when I tried to insert the lining into the exterior, I realized that although I cut the lining to the same dimensions as the exterior, somehow the lining was now too long.  I cut 1.5" off one end then reattached it to the side panel and bottom piece.  It fit perfectly after that.

I added a few little unique details for my sis, who I endearingly call "Hippo".  I discovered Fray Check, which I applied all over these hippos once I cut them from a piece of fabric, then found some fabric glue and attached these three guys onto the fabric.  It was my first time using these products.  They were pretty smelly but appear to have done their jobs.

No one will have a bag like this!  I hope she likes it and uses it a lot and that the bag holds up for a long time.  I didn't realize how much work this would take and now have a much greater appreciation for well-made handbags.  I can't imagine what it'd be like working with leather...