Polka Dot Embroidered Tote Bag

Some simple embroidery on bright polka dot fabric turned into a sweet little tote bag.

Red and white polka dot is a favourite pattern of mine, and last November the lovely Caroline from CJ Made had a sewing supplies giveaway that I was lucky enough to win which contained a load of red and white polka dot fabric. I made a top for myself and with some of the left overs I thought I'd try a little embroidery inspired something that I'd seen on pinterest.

source: Harujion Design

To make an embroidered polka dot tote bag you will need:

1 x piece of polka dot fabric 36cm(14") x 77cm(30") for the main body of the bag

2 x pieces of polka dot fabric 10cm(4") x 61cm(24") for the handles

Embroidery thread in your choice of colours, mine are DMC 3824, 3753, 3819 and 973

A sharp needle, scissors, sewing machine, sewing thread

First you need to decide on a design and where you want it. I did a band of flowers to run across the top of the bag. The rest is a centralised band of running stitch. This is a gift for my niece so I added her name to the back too just as an added extra. Just make sure any fancy design element is at least 3" away from the short edge of the fabric or it will get in the way of the top hem later.

The embroidery is worked with 3 strands of thread throughout.

Starting roughly in the centre, stitch about 5" (12cm) of running stitch then lazy daisy flowers on 3 dots in a row, then continue with running stitch the full length of the fabric.

Then pick another colour and repeat the process, doing the same number of rows each side of your original central one.

I did 3 lines of each of my 4 colours so 12 lines in total. To add the name on the back I used a water-soluble marker to write in a fancy font where the last line of stitching was due to go, then worked it in backstitch.

I then waited about for nearly 3 months and this birthday was imminent to make it up into a bag. You don't have to wait this long! Originally this was going to be a cushion but my brother and his family are moving overseas later this year and I suddenly realised that a cushion would just be an extra bulky thing to pack. A bag can roll up to nearly nothing and just tuck in a case so a much better present under the circumstances. Maybe it was just as well I didn't rush to make the cushion cover after all!

So, now it's time to turn your embroidered piece into a tote. Start by pressing everything with the iron, then fold the main piece in half WRONG SIDES TOGETHER and using a small seam allowance (1/4" or 1/2 cm ish) sew up either side. Now turn the bag inside out, press the edges flat and then stitch these seams again, this time with a 1/2" or 1.25cm seam allowance.

This makes a french seam which just makes the inside a bit tidier, especially for people like me who don't have an overlocker (serger). Turn the bag back out the right way and admire your lovely neat seams. 

Fold and press a narrow hem at the top open edge then fold over again an inch (2.5cm) Pin but don't sew yet.

Now make the handles, make both the same. Fold and press a narrow hem on both long sides of your handle pieces, then fold in half again, lining up the edges.

Top stitch down both sides.

Tuck one end of one handle under the hem you made on the front of the main bag piece, about 5cm (2") from the side seam.

Fold it back up on itself and secure with a pin. Repeat for the other end of the handle on the other side of the bag, making sure your handle is smooth and not twisted.

Now repeat on the back half of the bag with the other handle. 

Top stitch round the top of the bag, just away for the hem edge. Repeat another line of top stitching around the top edge of the bag.

See how nice and neat that french seam makes the inside - makes me so happy!