How to Make a Compact Walker Tote

Assistive devices like walkers help mobility impaired individuals maintain an independent lifestyle. A walker is a good choice for the person who needs stability to make up for lost strength in the legs. As walkers are not hands-free devices, individuals often need a way to carry essential items. This attachable compact tote creates three handy pockets for mail, a cell phone, reading glasses and pens and pencils without its light weight jeopardizing the stability of the walker.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of tissue paper
• 1/2 yard of medium weight fabric
• 1/2 yard of lighter weight contrast fabric
• 3 inches of hook and loop fastener strip
• Sewing machine
• Basic sewing supplies
• Iron
• Buttons (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut a 13-inch by 13-inch template and a 5-inch by 13-inch template from tissue paper.

2. Pin the 13-inch by 13-inch template parallel to the selvages on the folded medium weight base fabric. Pin the 5-inch by 13-inch template with either edge parallel to the selvages. Cut out the two base pieces and the two strap pieces.

3. Pin the 13-inch by 13-inch template to the contrast fabric and cut the pocket pieces.

4. Fold each pocket piece in half. Iron and crease the fold. Topstitch 1/2 inch from the fold.

5. Pin each pocket piece to the right sides of the bottom of each base fabric piece. Machine-baste the pockets to the base pieces. Topstitch 5 inches from one side edge of one pocket and base piece to create two smaller pockets.

6. Attach the loop side of the hook and loop fastener strips to the top of each side of one base piece. Measure 2 1/2 inches from each side and an inch from the top. Center a 1 1/2-inch loop strip at each measured intersection. Stitch each strip around its edges and diagonally from each corner.

7. Fold each strap lengthwise with right sides together. Use 1/2-inch seams and stitch across one short edge, pivot and stitch the long edge. Trim the seams to 1/4 inch. Turn right side out. Iron each strap with the seamed edge as one of the sides. Topstitch around the edges of the straps.

8. Center each hook section of the hook and loop fastener an inch from each end of the straps. Stitch around the edges and diagonally across each hook section.

9. 

   The compact tote creates handy pockets for essential items.

   Place right-sides of the tote together. Stitch a 1/2-inch seam from the top to bottom of each side. Stitch across the bottom. Trim the seams to 1/4 inch. Turn the tote right-side out. Fold under 1/2 inch along the top and iron. Insert an inch of the opened end of each strap 1 inch from each side seam. Pin the folded tops together and topstitch through all thicknesses.

Tips & Warnings

• An accurate and helpful sewing tutorial is "Sewing Basics and Techniques" at the Simplicity website.

• Sew on buttons, ribbon or fabric yo-yos to hide the stitching for the hook and loop fasteners.

• Use seasonal or athletic theme fabric for pockets.

• Applique pocket pieces before stitching them to the tote.

• Sew a 3-inch strip of nonskid fabric to the underside of each strap where the strap contacts the cross-bar.

References

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Helping Your Loved One Become More Independent --- Assistive Devices

Resources

• Simplicity: Sewing Basics and Techniques