Learn How to Make This Large Quilted Tote

Hello all!

I’ve been using Madam Sew’s quilting templates for a ton of projects lately, especially using a lot of my scraps which were threatening to take over my sewing room. Here is one of my favorites, a large beach tote using half-square triangles. Instead of using a print for my squares, I made some fabric using tiny scraps, but you can substitute it for any print you like.

Tools and Materials

Rotary cutter
Non-slip ruler 6" X 24"
Large square quilting template set
Small scissors
Gel pen
Basting pins
Straight pins
Sewing clips
Washable glue stick
Canvas, denim or other sturdy fabric scrap for bag bottom
56” of 1” webbing or grosgrain ribbon
Fabric scraps in white and a contrasting color
2.5” fabric strips: 84” main color (MC), 52” contrasting color (CC)
46x28” batting
48x30” backing fabric
Lining fabric, about ½ yard (depending on the width of your fabric--you will need two pieces roughly 24x19”)

Cutting The Fabric Pieces for the Tote Bag

Cut your fabric as follows:

Denim/canvas in two pieces 26x7”.

MC strips: eight 9” pieces, two 6” pieces.

CC strips: four 13” pieces

5” squares - 8 white, 8 color

6” squares - 2 white, 2 color

Don’t cut the lining fabric yet, because the size of the bag will change slightly with quilting.

Make the Squares

Stack your 5” squares in pairs (one white, one color), right sides together, and mark a diagonal line from one corner to another. Repeat with your 6” squares.

Sew a ¼” seam on either side of the marked line.

Cut on the marked line and press open.

You should have 16 small squares and 4 large squares. Use the 4” template to square off the small squares and the 5” for the larger ones.

Align the template on the square so that the corners touch the diagonal seam.

Press firmly on the template and use your rotary cutter to slice the four sides.

Continue to press the template down on the fabric while you use your rotary cutter to trim the corners.

Make the Pinwheels

Divide your small squares in groups of 4 and stack them with the solid triangle pointing top right. To arrange them in a pinwheel composition rotate each triangle in the stack ¼ turn.

Join the top squares first, then the bottom two.

Join the two rows.

Repeat with remaining three pinwheels.

Attach the Sashing

Your MC 9” strips will be the sashing above and below your pinwheels. Roughly center each strip (there will be excess on both sides) and sew a ¼” seam.

Repeat with remaining three pinwheel blocks. Press seams to one side.

Mark the center of each side of both short strips (make a large mark on the short sides to avoid trimming it off later). Arrange each one between two large squares, paying attention to its position (I placed my sashing against the printed triangles). Mark the center of the block on the side that will be joined to the sashing. Sew a ¼” seam to attach.

Press seams to one side and trim the excess sashing. Your pinwheel pieces will measure 12.5x8.25”, and your center piece will be 12.5x5.5”.

Now grab the CC strips, fold each one in half and mark the center on both sides. Match center marks on one strip of sashing and one side of center block and sew together.

Repeat on the other side and again on the second panel’s center block.

Place one pinwheel block on each side of the center block (now with sashing attached), paying attention to pinwheel direction. Place right sides together matching center mark on sashing with center seam on blocks and sew.

Press seams to one side and trim the bottom of each completed panel (I like to leave the top for the end).

Attach The Bottom Pieces

Attach denim/canvas pieces to the bottom of each top panel (bottom will be slightly wider than top, just roughly center it, you will trim the excess later) and press seams towards the patchwork panel.

Quilt and Trim The Panels

Make and baste your quilt sandwich placing both top panels on the backing and batting (so you have a single quilt sandwich). Quilt densely with desired pattern (no more than 1” apart) to ensure the bag has enough strength to withstand weight.

Using the seam between the top and bottom of each panel as your guide, mark a parallel line 6” below it and trim.

Trim the top and sides using the edge of the quilted blocks as your guide.

Attach The Handles

Draw a line in the center of each CC sashing, extending it into the bottom panel and trace with glue.

At the top of the sashing, draw a line 1” from the edge, this will be the top edge of your stitching.

Lay strap on top, pressing against the glue line, curve around the top being careful not to twist, and lay over the parallel line. Use dry iron to set.

Sew each side of the strap separately. Starting at the bottom, close to the edge, and pivoting 1” from the top to sew across and come down the other side back to the bottom.

Repeat with the second handle.

Pin both handles down, away from the top edge.

Build the Bag

1. Place panels right sides together, matching the side seams at the sides. Clip or pin together and use a ¼” seam allowance to sew around sides and bottom.