Unlined Tote How-To and Happy Zebra Pillows

Hopefully, you'll have patience with my sewing binge.  Pretty please, with sugar on top?  I have a couple more things to show you today, and thought I'd give you instructions for an easy unlined tote bag.  It will take you an hour, tops, to make.

Here's the tote--thanks, Korrie and Sonya, for the suggestion!  Because I couldn't think up a tote bag on my own!  I also made two "Happy Up" zebra pillows.  You know they had to have that name, because if you are feeling down-in-the-dumps, you will be "happied up" when you see them.  Even though the green chair fabric is a bit "serious," I think the bright colors and zebra print add fun and whimsy to it.  (Gah!  Blurry photo ahead--I did, I did, I did use my tripod!)

Let's get down to making the tote, shall we?  Now, really, I prefer lined because it makes them sturdier, but I wanted something quick to make.  This fabric has a bit more weight to it, so I thought it'd be alright.  In the future we'll make a lined one m'k?  You will need about 1 yd. of fabric.

Unlined Tote How-To

1. Cut one piece of fabric 36" wide  x 21 1/2" inches long.  For the handles, cut two pieces 3 3/4" wide/ 23 1/2" long
2. Fold and press the top edge of your tote bag under 1/2", then under 1", so no raw edge shows.  Press the long sides of your handle under 1/2", then fold and press it down the middle.
3. Top stitch the top of your tote and stitch the folded edges of your handle together.  
4. Fold the tote piece in half.  You will stitch the bottom and side so it lies flat.
5. Pin a seam in the bottom "triangle/corner", across 4 3/4", as shown in step 5, which will give you a flat bottom for your tote.  (The bottom seam and side seam or fold should line up.)  Stitch across pinned line.  You're almost done!
6. Place your handles 5" from each side of your tote.  I like to place the sewn edge toward the inside.  Fold the raw end edges under 1" toward the top edge, pin in place.  (No raw edges should show.)  
7. Sew the handles on.  I stitched a rectangle with an X in the middle.  You may be able to see it (below).
8. Turn right-side out and stuff to your heart's content!

Good luck!  If you have any questions about my instructions, please leave them in the comments and I will try to answer you--written instructions can sometimes be so challenging!


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