Isn’t this tote bag such fun? I altered a pattern for a
pillowcase that is always very popular to make this fantastic little gym bag
that is bright and colorful. It is a very easy sewing pattern, designed to look
very finished but is good for beginners to try.
Materials:
Two different colors of ½ yard each
of bottomweight fabric – 1 yard total *
1/8 yard quilting fabric that works
well with the 2 bottom weights chosen
Note – if you want to make other
things like this matching headband then you may want to buy ¼ yard of this
fabric
Thread
that matches at least one of the fabric colors chosen
Optional:
Binding that matches your fabric
*These
are the cuts of fabric that I buy although there are leftover scraps
To begin decide which color will be the body of your bag and
which color will be tops and straps, after all fabric is washed and ironed cut
two of each of the following measurements:
Body:
17 inches x 15 inches Trim: 17 inches x 2.5 inches
Top: 17 inches x 9 inches
Straps: 24 inches x 5 inches
(You may want to alter this measurement for your comfort and body type)
I added an interior pocket to this bag but it is optional and not covered in this tutorial.
Sew along the three open edges of the straps, then unfold
the top. Take the edges of one of your straps and lay them flat on what will be
the inside half of the top about 3 inches in from the edge and two inches down
from the ironed crease. Sew a square around the bottom of each edge of the
strap and then an X shape through the square to solidly secure the straps in
place. Repeat with the other side of the top.
Lay the top flat and unfolded, roll the strap up so that it
sits inside. Then, along the side of the top that will face the outside of the
bag lay the trim so that the raw edges are together. Finally lay the body of
the bag with a 17 inch raw edge lined up with the tip and trim’s raw edges over
it all, right side down. Pin the 4 edges (top, two edges of folded trim, and
body) in place. Then roll up the body, fold the top over on itself, and,
carefully removing the pins from the 4 raw edges, pin the 5th raw
edge to the others. You now have a little pouch, pinned at the top and open on
the edges with a bunch of fabric and the straps rolled up inside. Sew along the
edge, very securely.
Once the edge is sewn remove the pins and turn the bag
right side out through the unsewn side. Repeat the layering, pinning and sewing
with the remaining fabric to create the other side of the bag.
The hard part is done, I promise! Sewing the straps and layering
it were the hardest parts of this whole project. Well, unless you have cats.
Then I can honestly say that keeping the cats from helping is the hardest part
of this project.
Now, lay the two sides of your tote bag together right side
to right side and pin the sides and bottom. Cut a 2 inch by 2 inch square out
of each bottom corner of your bag, I promise it will make sense later. Using
your binding, sewing machine, or serger it is time to bind and/or sew the sides
and bottom of the bag but NOT the cut out corners.
Once this is done grab the front of the bag right next to
the cut out corner in one hand, grab the other side of the bag in the same
place on the other side and pull until the cut out corner comes together. Pin
and repeat with the second corner. Sew (I also used more binding here) and
again, make sure these are sturdy seams.
Flip the bag right side out and you are done! Woohoo! Fill
it with your goodies and hit the gym, zoo, beach, park, or wherever you plan to
get your workout in today. Personally, I’m a zoo person, but this bag will see
you through whatever type of workout you have planned.
I sent this bag to a wonderful woman who is just starting
her weightlifting journey and hopefully she will send me some photos to include
on here. Until then please share, what would your favorite color combination be
for a bag like this and what are the essentials that you carry in your gym bag.
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