R23 QUILTER’S CLASSICS - SACHET

¾ yard of stripe fabric for the stripe border and straps
¾ yard of fabric for inside pockets and back of bag
½ yard of fabric for bag lining
7 fat quarters of coordinating prints
cotton batting 35” x 19”
cotton batting for straps (2) strips 3-1/2” x 23” long
remnant of black or deep lilac fabric
fusible web
embroidery thread for butterfly antennae

1. From one fat quarter, cut front background fabric 12-1/2” x 12-1/2”. Cut 12 pieces from the remaining fat quarters for the pieced Dresden plate (see template). Sew the ends closed, clip the corner. Turn each “petal” right side out and press. Sew together using a ¼” seam. Press carefully in a circle. Center “petals” on the background fabric and sew from seam to seam around the plate, leaving the points loose.
2. Cut 4 strips of the stripe fabric. The stripe shown measures 2-1/4”. Pin the front block piece about 5” from the top of the batting, centering it horizontally. Pin a piece of the stripe fabric across the top, leaving enough room to miter the corners. Start sewing ¼” from the edge of the block, ending ¼” from the other edge. You will be stitching through both the block and the batting from now on. Repeat on all sides. Press and fold the miter and sew. Trim, then pin flat onto the batting.
3. From the back fabric, cut 2 pieces (2” wide x the measurement of the block, about 16”). Sew one to each side of the front piece. Cut another piece of the back fabric, 2-1/2” x 19” and sew to the top of the bag front. Cut the back fabric, 19” x 19”. Sew it to the front at the bottom of the bag, right sides together. Quilt the back as desired. Tote bag shows has a diagonal cross-hatch, spaced about 2” apart.
4. Cut a section of stripe fabric 2-1/4” x 19”. Sew this to the top of the bag back, right sides together. Cut another piece of the back fabric, 2-1/2” x 19” and sew to the top of the stripe fabric on the back of the bag. Extra batting should extend from both sides. Do NOT cut the batting.
5. Make the butterfly appliqué using the template. Apply over the pieced section of the bag front with fusible web and stitch around using a satin stitch or zig zag if desired. Embroider the antennae as shown.
6. For the straps, cut 2 pieces of fabric, 5” x 23”, centering the desired section of the stripe you want to be most visible. Center the batting along the strap sections and sew along the line on both sides, keeping all layers straight. Fold on each line so that the batting meets itself in the center. Stitch ¼” away from each fold line. There should be enough extra fabric to fold in the raw edges and enclose them into the seam. Stitch every ¼” through all layers for added strength. Trim straps to equal length; pin straps to the front and back of the bag, 5-1/2’ from each side.
7. For the pocketed lining, cut a large pocket 16” wide x 28” long; a medium pocket 16” wide x 14” long; and a small pocket 16” wide x 10” long. Fold each pocket in half lengthwise. Sew small pocket on top of medium pocket.
8. Cut lining fabric 35” x 19”. Sew the pockets to the lining.
9. Pin lining to bag front, right sides together, enclosing the handles. Turn right sides out. Repeat for back and back lining. (When turning, the folds will be along the stripe sections so the bag will lie flat. Pin in place. If the bag is not completely flat, it will be, after taking a slightly larger seam where the lining is joined to the bag. Press.
10. Remove pins and open up. Fold the bag right sides together. Match the seams where the lining joins the bag. Fold out and stitch the seam. Leave an opening in the second side. Turn bag right side out. Stitch the hole by hand. Fold over the top section and top-stitch ¼” from the edge. Top-stitch in the ditch at the edge of the stripe. Turn inside out and sew across the corners.

• Instructions

• Templates

• Detailed image