I mentioned in a previous post that several participants of the Sew Cool! Workshop used my Basic Shopping Tote pattern (link updated on 2/13/2020) and made a BUNCH of totes as Christmas gifts. I was talking to an artist the other day and she said, Yeah, Irma gave me a tote for Christmas. And then I heard that the postmistress at our little post office was given one by someone in our sewing group. (I’m guessing it’s Mary since I believe she’s already made over 20 of them!)

Why is it so popular? The pattern is easy and quick and turns out great EVERY TIME!

In case you don’t have the pattern, you can download the PDF here! (link upated on 2/13/2020)

Now. That’s the basic tote. With a little imagination, you can change it up A LOT!

I overheard one of our members saying that she had cut one side too short so had to re cut that side. Not so. One inch smaller or larger does not hurt anything. Groceries and other wonderful things will still fit inside the slightly shorter or taller tote. You just have to adjust all four sides that one inch shorter or taller.

I was in the sewing class the other day and no one needed my help and I wasn’t working on a current project so I decided to whip together a tote with some modifications.

I’m using this beautiful patterned denim fabric for the exterior and a pink quilting cotton for the interior. I did not have any fusible fleece so used batting in place of it. (When using batting, you must put extra stitches or it will lump up)

Because the fabric is so lovely, I decided to place the handles on the inside! I also made the handles shorter since I actually ordered this cotton webbing for aprons and didn’t want to use more than I absolutely needed! also added some pockets to the exterior and interior.

Please note. You will follow the pattern for the basic tote. I’m only listing below the modifications that I made.

Exterior, Two – 13” x 13” (front and back) Two – 9” x 13” (sides) One – 9” x 13” (bottom)

Lining, Two -13” x 13” (front and back) Two – 9” x 13” (sides) One – 9” x 13” (bottom)

Batting, Two – 13″ x 13” Three – 9” x 13”

Exterior Pocket, 9″ wide by 8″ high, cut one exterior, one lining, and one fusible interfacing

Interior Pocket, 9″ wide by 6 1/2″ high. Cut one exterior, one lining, and one fusible interfacing.

Handles, Cut two 40″ lengths of 1″ wide cotton webbing.

My seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise indicated.

First I stitched the batting to each of the lining pieces and added a serpentine quilting pattern to hold the batting down.

Then I made the pockets.

Exterior: Add the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the exterior then put right sides together of the exterior and fabric and stitch the tops together with 1/4″ seam. Turn right sides out. Press. Top stitch.

Pin on one exterior end piece.

Stitch along sides within the seam allowance (3/8″)

Interior pocket:

Add the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric then put right sides together of the fabric and lining and stitch the tops together with 1/4″ seam. Turn right sides out. Press. Top stitch.

Press the pocket and one side piece to mark center then place the interior pocket on the side, matching the pressed centers. Place 3″ from bottom. Stitch the sides and bottom. Double stitch bottom. Stitch on center pressed mark.

Place handles on the sides of the pockets–1 1/2″ from the side. (This should cover the raw edge of the pocket) Stitch on both sides of the handle stopping 1″ from top.

Add the handle to the other lining side 1 1/2″ from each side and stitch on both sides. Ending 1″ from the top.

Okay. That’s it for the modifications. Just follow the directions for the Basic Shopping Tote to finish this tote up! Here’s the PDF again! (link updated on 2/13/2020)

If you have any questions, let me know!

Happy Stitching!