Joyful Garden Tool Tote Bag Embroidery Project

By Linda Mills on January 30, 2019

SKILL LEVELIntermediate
TIME REQUIRED02:30

Description

This lined garden tote bag features outer pockets perfect for organizing your gardening tools. Adorned with a cheerful design, it brings a touch of joy to your gardening tasks. Step-by-step instructions are included.

Step of

Materials

Project Preview Video

Materials

DUCK CLOTH/CANVAS ( OUTER Fabric For BAG)

HEAVY WEIGHT COTTON ( LINING AND POCKET)( I USED THE HEAVY WEIGHT COTTON DROPCLOTH (CAN BE PURCHASED FROM HARDWARE STORE)

SEWING THREAD

EMBROIDERY THREAD ( YOUR CHOICE OF COLORS)

STRAPPING ( 72”)

CHALK/ AIR ERASE FABRIC PEN

TEAR AWAY STABILIZER

Designs used in this project

https://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/hopscotch/designs/1/hs1511061b

https://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/ct-company/supplies/1/ta15

Preface:

A great gardeners tool bag for those quick gardening activities. This tutorial will demonstrate how to easily line a bag and create outer pockets by the positioning of the strapping. The select embroidery design will add to your “joy” of working in the garden.

Step 1:

Gather all materials and review instructions before beginning. Print out the template of design for centering and reference.

Step 2:

Cutting all your bag pieces
Duck cloth/canvas: Cut two 12” x 16” ( Outer bag)
Heavy weight cotton: Cut two 12” x 16” ( lining)
Cut two 15” x 16” (pockets)

Strapping: Cut two 36” pieces

If you are using fabric that easily frays, serge or zig zag all edges for easier construction. ( Drop cloth easily frays)

Step 3:

Embroidering design on pocket
Using one of your cut 15” x 16” pocket pieces. Fold in half ( 15” side) and fingertip press. (16” side is at the bottom) Fold in half again to form a quarter fold .. fingertip press. This method will help to center place design. I only embroidered on one pocket piece. If you would like the embroidery design on both sides of your bag then repeat the instructions for the 2nd pocket piece.

Step 4:

Unfold the quarter fold. Center embroidery design template 1 ½” from folded top of pocket ( using your fingertip creased center fold for reference) and mark using your chalk/air erase fabric pen.

Step 5:

Folded cross hair
Once your design has been center marked… I used the following method to create a folded crosshair to center onto my hoop. Fold the fabric up to the center mark and fingertip press. As you see in the photo you now have a crosshair for reference when center hooping. Cut a piece of tear away stabilizer. Place fabric on top. Match up crosshair to your axis points on your hoop. If you have a grid template follow your manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 6:

Load embroidery design into your machine. Attach hoop. Confirm center placement. Begin the embroidering process. Design embroidering complete. Remove hoop from the machine. Cut and trim all jump stitches and loose thread ends. Remove stabilizer. Iron and fold in half. Fold the 2nd pocket piece in half and iron press.

Step 7:

Using one of the cut outer body pieces ( 12” x 16”). Lay right side up with 16” edge at the bottom. Place folded pocket piece on top matching bottom and sides.

Step 8:

Lay your strapping on top 5” in from each side and matching up to bottom edge. Pin in place. Repeat these steps for the other side fabric of tote bag. You should now have two side pieces as shown in the picture.

Step 9:

Stitch ¼” from each side as shown in the pic. Stopping 1” from the top edge of the outer fabric. Stitch across strapping and back down the other side. Making sure to back stitch to lock in stitches. Repeat for the other side. By placing the strapping in these positions it will form the outside pockets.

Step 10:

Constructing bag
Lay your outer pieces right sides together. Lining up all edges and strapping. Pin in place.

Step 11:

Making the Boxed Corners
Mark a 2” square at the bottom of each corner.

Step 12:

Carefully cut along your marked lines. Sew down the sides an bottom using 1/2" seam allowance

Step 13:

Stitching the Boxed Corners
Open up the cut corners lining up the seams. Position seam allowances in opposite directions so that it lays flat when stitching. (Nesting your seams) Stitch using ½” seam allowance. Repeat for the other side.

Step 14:

Turn right side out.

Step 15:

Constructing the lining

Using your lining fabric pieces. Repeat steps #10 thru #13

Step 16:

You now have two parts to your bag. Outer and the lining. Put your outer bag into your lining right sides together matching up top edges and seams. Tuck your strapping handles down into sides of the bag so they do not get caught when sewing. Pin in place. Stitch top edge using ½” seam allowance. Be careful as to not get handle caught.