How to Make Quilted Tote & Diaper Bags

Quilted Tote Bag

Quilted totes can be made by anyone who has basic sewing and quilting skills. It's the kind of project you can make for gifts that will be appreciated and used by almost anyone. A new mother will love having a stylish diaper bag into which she can quickly toss items for a quick outing without having to lug around a large bag.

Things You'll Need

• ½ yard large-patterned fabric
• ½ yard coordinating lining fabric
• Craft paper or newspaper
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Batting
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• 1-inch-wide elastic (optional)
• Needle
• Safety pins
• Quilting thread

Instructions

1. Choose a fabric with a large pattern for the outside of your tote bag. You will be quilting around the flowers or geometric patterns preprinted on the fabric. Choose a lining fabric that coordinates with the outside fabric.

2. Make a pattern out of craft paper or newspaper. Cut a rectangle 12 inches wide and 18 inches long.

3. Pin the pattern to your outer fabric, doubled. Cut around the pattern. This will give you two outer fabric pieces. Repeat this process with the lining fabric.

4. Cut two strips from the outside fabric, 2 inches wide and 20 inches long, for the straps.

5. Attach batting to each underside of the outer fabric pieces by sewing them together close to the edges. Pin the two outer fabric pieces right sides together and sew a ¼ inch seam around three of the sides, leaving the top of the bag open.

6. Pin the two lining fabric pieces, right sides together, and sew a ¼ inch seam around three sides, leaving the top of the bag open. For a diaper bag, cut two 4-inch lengths of 1-inch-wide elastic. Pin them into the seam, 4 inches from the top, in a loop. The ends of the elastic should be sewn into the seam, so that the loop will appear on the right side of the fabric, one on each side. These loops are to hold baby bottles.

7. Prepare the tote bag straps. Fold each one in half lengthwise, right side of the fabric together. Sew along the long edge with a ¼ inch seam, forming a tube. Turn the straps right side out by attaching a safety pin to one end, through one thickness of fabric. Work the safety pin back through the tube to the other side. Remove the safety pin and press the straps flat with your iron.

8. Sew the outside of the tote bag to the lining. Turn both the outer fabric and the lining inside out. Place the lining inside the outer part of the tote bag and pin the tops of both lining and outside tote together. Sew a ¼ inch seam all the way around the top, leaving a 4-inch opening.

9. Turn the tote bag right side out through the opening. Push the lining back to the inside of the bag. Hand sew the opening shut.

10. Attach one of the handles to the inside of one of sides of the tote. Pin each side 2 inches in from each side seam, down about 1 inch. Sew back and fourth several times through the strap ends and the tote. Repeat this process for the other strap on the other side of the tote.

11. Use safety pins to attach the lining to the outside of the tote. Make sure the lining remains flush and not wrinkled inside the tote. Hand quilt around the pattern on the outside of the tote. This will attach all three layers, the outside, batting and lining, together.

Tips & Warnings

• You may use a pre-quilted fabric for the outside of the tote. A heavy duty snap or Velcro may be attached to the center inside of the tote for closure.

References

• Crafty Stylish

Resources

• How to Make a Tote - video