Mexicano Handy Shopper Bag

Make a handy shopper tote bag using just three fat quarters and learn how to stitch French seams as you go!

Step 1

Cut two of the fat quarters into pieces for the bag front and back panels

-floral design 8½ “x19”

-spot design 8 ½ “x19”

Cut two pieces 4”x20” from the pink leaf fat quarter

Step 2

Sew the front panel top and bottom pieces together using a French seam (pay attention to fabric layout as this is a directional print)

- pin wrong sides together, stitch 1/8” seam along long edge then press

- pin right sides together, stitch 3/8” seam along long edge then press

- repeat this with the back panel pieces

Step 3

Sew the front and back panel pieces together using a French seam

- pin wrong sides together, stitch 1/8” seam along edge then press

- pin right sides together, stitch 3/8” seam along edge then press

Step 4:

Turn over a ½ “fold along top edges, then fold this over again and press in place

- do not stitch this in place yet

Step 5

Make bag handles

- Fold each pink leaf fabric strip in half lengthways and press

- Fold each long outer edge into the centre and press

- Fold back in half again and press in place

- Topstitch along each edge then down the centre of the strip

Step 6:

Lay out the bag and measure and mark 5½“ in from each top edge

- tuck the handle under the top fold and pin in place at the lines marked

- fold handle back on itself and re-pin

- stitch along both edges of the fold to secure the fold, attach the handles and encase the raw edges of the handles within the seam

Step 7

Sew the side seams using a French seam

- pin wrong sides together, stitch 1/8” seam along long edge then press

- pin right sides together, stitch 3/8” seam along long edge then press

Step 8

Give the bag a good press then it is ready to use!

You could also make this bag with a single piece of fabric for the front/back piece: this design was chosen to make the most of the directional fabric design on the main fat quarter.

Made by Angela Harkness for The Craft Cotton Co 2018

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