This is for an art tote that holds a 5"w x 8" notepad. The finished case is apprx 12"w x 9"
Cut out an innner and an outer fabric 12"w x 9". Cut out two pieces of heavyweight fusible interfacing the same size. Fuse the interfacing onto your two pieces of fabric.
Next cut a piece of fabric that is 17" tall and 6"w. If you have a printed fabric that is directional make sure that you cut your strip of fabric so that your print is facing up for 17". Fold it in half lengthwise and press; this fold will be the top. Now fold under and press the two sides in 1/4" and then fold the bottom up 1/4" and press.
This is your notepad holder. You're going to sew it to your inner fabric piece. Set it on the fabric about 1/2" from side and equal distances top & bottom.
Now cut two pieces of fabric 5 1/2"w x 5" tall. Fold the sides in 1/8" and press.
Once you've done both sides on both pieces, you're going to fold the piece of fabric in half and press.
Now fold the bottom up about 1/8" and press.
You're going to make marks on the left side of your inner piece of fabric now. Make a line 1/2" in from the side with disapeering ink. Make another line going across the width 3/4" from the bottom and then a third line going across the width 4 3/4" from the bottom.
Place your pieces of fabric we just folded butted against the corner of the lines you drew.
Stitch them down as close to the edge as you can get, but still secure down. Leaving the top open (where your fold should be!)
Now find the half-way mark between your two sides, make a line. Find the half-way between each side and make another line.
Stitch down all 3 lines on both pieces making sure to back-stitch at top and bottom. I usually start at the top.
Now we're going to make some straps. Cut two pieces of fabric 10 1/2"l x 3"w. If you want you can sew each piece right sides together and make a tube, turn it out and press. I don't like turning tubes of fabric so here's another way
First you're going to fold and press each side (lengthwise) in 1/2"
Now turn one of those folds over again and press.
Now fold the single fold side over to just barely touch the double fold side. Press.
Stitch close to the edge making sure to catch both sides in your stitching.
Now we're moving onto the outer. I used a small sized ponytail holder, the ouchless kind. I zig-zagged it very close to the edge right in the middle on the left side of my outer page. I know it's hard to see, but I pointed to it
Now on the right side of the outer I sewed on a button. I folded my page in half and found the center of the length not the width. Then I moved it in about an inch and stitched it down. With my bare hands. And a needle and thread.
Okay, still on our outer piece. You're going to baste the handles down. Measure 3" down from top and 3" up from bottom and make marks. Do this for both sides. Now you're going to place your handles inside your marks with your seam facing up!
Now we're going to sew the inner and the outer together. Place both pieces right sides together with your button and your crayon holders touching and then your loop and notepad holder touching. Stitch all around the sides using 1/4" seam allowance. I started at the top about 4" in and sewed all the way around and back leaving about a 2" gap. Make sure you cut all your corners at a diagonal so they will be nice and pointy when you turn it. Cut a triangle off each corner if that makes more sense.
Now turn your tote inside out and press it really good. Make sure to poke out each corner making it nice and pointy. Once you've pressed it you're going to go back to your sewing machine and topstitch all the way around starting with your open gap. I topstitched about 1/8" in or so.
Fill it with crayons and a notepad and you're all done!
I'm sure you could modify this to fit a different size, these are just the dimensions I needed to use. Hope this helps someone.gif "a (11)")
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