A step by step tutorial for the Queen Elizabeths carryall tote

A step by step photo tutorial to assist in making the Queen Elizabeths carryall tote  - for visual learners.

The pattern can be found here.

Spray baste the following to foam pieces: (or if using a fusible foam, press to fuse)

A – outer panel strip, foam

B – outer panel fabric, foam

C – outer panel, foam

D - stitchery panel, foam, lining square

E – lining, foam, outer panel base fabric

Edgestitch around all edges 1/8” from the edge.

Quilt the base panel (E) if desired – a walking foot will help with this.

Zip panel:

Place the 31” zipper right side down on the 3 ½” x 30 ½” prepared strip. Klip/pin and baste 1/8” from the edge.

Place the 3 ½” x 30 ½” lining strip right sides down on top (the zipper is sandwiched in between). Klip and stitch through all layers using a zipper foot as close to the zipper teeth as possible.

Fold lining to the back pressing the seam allowance towards the lining. Edgestitch from the front (the raw edge of the lining and outer panel should be even – pull it across as you stitch to really pull the thick foam seam allowance to that side)

Repeat this process with the two narrow strips of prepped foam and lining.

Insert two zipper pulls and move to the centre. Baste across each end and trim neatly.  Measure the finished width and trim to 4 ½” wide if necessary.

Mesh pocket:  Attach foldover elastic along long top edge of mesh fabric. You can stretch the elastic slightly as you stitch to give a nice tight pocket.

Position the mesh pocket along the bottom of your 4 ½” x 10 ½” lining spine piece on the bottom edge. Baste on the three sides.

Optional: you can stitch through the middle – through all layers to make two pockets if you wish.

Place the zip panel right sides together with the spine panel (both outer fabrics together). Stitch across both short ends.

Place the lining spine pocket piece right sides down on one end (lining to lining) and again stitch with a ¼” seam allowance.  Bring it around until it is right sides together with the other 

short end and stitch.

Turn to right side. Edge stitch down both seams on the spine panel.

Handle: press your 4 ½” handle piece of fabric (lengthwise width) in half wrong sides together. Open and fuse the lightweight batting onto one side.

 Fold both raw edges to meet the centre crease.

Then fold in half again (all raw edges are now inside).

Edge stitch both long edges of your handle using a blending thread. Fold and cut the strip in half to make two handles.

Position the handle with raw edges even 2” in from either side of the top bag square and the base bag square on the right sides (embroidery side and bag base side).

 Baste.  

Fold the two binding strips in half wrong sides together along the length and press to make a centre crease.

Open out and stitch with right sides together on the lining side of the zipper panel. Repeat around the top edge with the remaining strip. Fold a hem at the start and overlap at the end.

Place zipper panel right sides together with the bag base matching the spine seams to the side of the base square opposite the handle. Pin or klip around the complete square. Ease to fit if required. You may curve off the corners if you wish. Stitch with a ¼” seam around all four sides.  

Turn to right side and check all edges have been caught in the seams as you are sewing through many thick layers and things could have moved.

Double fold the binding over the seam allowance to reach the stitch line. Pin and stitch into place covering all raw seams.

Repeat this with the top square panel to complete your bag.

Press out all the seams with steam to make your bag sit nice and squarely.