How to Make Raggedy Totes

Make matching mother/daughter raggedy totes for your next outing to the library or the store. These cute totes have a wonderful "country" appeal with their raggedy edges. This pattern lends a new dimension to the popular raggedy quilt. Because of their exposed seams and easy construction, making raggedy totes is an easy project for a beginner to undertake. You might even want to share the experience of making the totes with your daughter.

Things You'll Need

• 1-1/4 yards cotton fabric A
• 1-1/4 yards cotton fabric B
• 1-1/4 yards cotton quilt batting
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Washer and dryer

Instructions

Mother's Raggedy Tote

1. Cut 5-inch squares for the front, back and inside of the tote. Cut 32 squares from fabric A and 32 squares from fabric B. Also cut 32 squares from the cotton quilt batting.

2. Stack a square of fabric A face down, a batting square on top and a square of fabric B face up. Pin the layers together. Top stitch from one corner of the sandwich, diagonally across the square to the opposite corner. Repeat for the other two corners. Your square will have a stitched "X" across it. Repeat with the remaining squares.

3. Place 16 blocks on your sewing table, four across and four down. Alternate the blocks with fabric A and B right side up to create a checkerboard pattern. Sew the blocks together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, with the seams exposed on the front. This is one side of the raggedy tote. Repeat with the remaining 16 blocks for the other side of the tote.

4. Place the two completed sides of the tote together with the raggedy seams on the outside. Match the edges and pin. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance on three sides, creating the bag part of the tote.

5. Cut two strips 3 inches wide by 14 inches long from fabric A, two identical strips from fabric B and two more from the batting. These are the pieces to make the handles for your tote. Place one fabric A strip face down, a batting strip on top and a fabric B strip on top of the batting to create a fabric sandwich. Match the edges and pin. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance on all sides of the handle. Repeat with the other fabric strips and batting strip for the other handle. Pin the ends of one handle to the outside, top edge of the tote bag. Center them 5 inches apart and 1 inch below the top edge of the tote. Turn the tote over and pin the other handle in the same way. Top stitch around the top edge of the tote bag 1/2 inch from the edge. This will connect the handles.

6. Clip all the exposed seams around the blocks, tote sides, bottom, top edge and all the way around the handles. The clips should be 1/2 inch apart. Do not clip through any of the sewn seams. Wash and dry the tote to finish making the tote raggedy.

Daughter's Raggedy Tote

1. Cut 5-inch squares for the front, back and inside of the tote. Cut 18 squares from fabric A and 18 squares from fabric B. Cut 18 squares from the cotton quilt batting.

2. Repeat step 2 of the mother's raggedy tote.

3. Place nine blocks on your sewing table, three across and three down. Alternate the blocks with fabric A and B right side up to create a nine-patch pattern. Sew the blocks together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, with the seams exposed on the front. This is one side of the raggedy tote. Repeat with the remaining nine blocks for the other side of the tote.

4. Repeat step 4 of the mother's raggedy tote.

5. Cut two strips 3 inches wide by 12 inches long from fabric A, two identical strips from fabric B and two strips from the batting. These are the pieces to make the handles for your tote. Place one fabric A strip face down, a batting strip on top and a fabric B strip on top of the batting to create a fabric sandwich. Match the edges and pin. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance on all sides of the handle. Repeat with the other fabric strips and batting strip for the other handle. Pin the ends of one handle to the outside top edge of the tote bag. Center them 4 inches apart and 1 inch below the top edge of the tote. Turn the tote over and pin the other handle in the same way. Top stitch around the top edge of the tote bag 1/2 inch from the edge. This will connect the handles.

6. Repeat steps 6 of the mother's raggedy tote.

References

• Cyndee Kromminga, craft and interior designer; Kro Crafts; Winfield, Kansas