Tutorial Tuesdays - TyTote

I've got a few little projects up my sleeve that I need to write out tutorials for. Some are full start to finish projects, and some are just little shortcuts or some little thing that I thought of as I was making something that may (or may not) make it easier for someone else.

I keep procrastinating, though - so I figured if I schedule a day to do these, they might get done.

Here's the first one - a fun little tote lined with tyvek that makes a great shower caddy or cosmetic tote.

(Note - if you would like a PDF of this file, please leave me your contact information in a comment)

TyTote:

Materials Needed: cover fabric, lining fabric*, nylon zipper

1. Cutting

Decide on the dimensions you want for your finished bag.
Use the following formula to determine the dimension of fabric you need to cut.

Width: finished bag length + finished bag depth + 1/2”

(eg: for a 10x 3” bag you would need to cut a panel that is 10+3+.5 = 13.5”)

Height: Finished bag height + finished bag depth + ½”

(eg: for a bag that is 5” deep, you would need to cut your panel 5.5” high)

Cut 2 panels each from your outside fabric and your lining fabric.

In my example, you would be cutting 4 panels that are 13.5” wide x 5.5” high. You do not need to worry much about directional fabric, as your panels will be identical top and bottom.

Cut one strip 4 inches wide and about 10 inches long for your strap and zipper loop.

2. Notching

From each panel (outside and lining) cut a square out of each of the corners per the following formula: (bag depth/2)+1/4”

In my example – for a 3” depth bag, you would cut out a square that is 1 ¾” x 1 ¾”.

3. Installing the zipper

Be sure the zipper is longer than the length of your bag.

o Put the lining fabric face up on your workspace.

o Place the zipper face up on top of the lining, aligning the zipper edge and the edge of the fabric.

o Place the cover fabric face down on the zipper. (check directionality of fabric)

o Pin and stitch with a ¼” seam allowance.

o Press the cover and lining away from the zipper.

o Top stitch through all 3 layers if desired.

Repeat with the other lining section and cover, being sure to align the fabrics so both sides will match up.

4. Making the strap and zipper loop

o Press the strap/loop fabric in half lengthwise.

o Open, and fold each edge in to the center fold.

o Press.

o Fold in half again.

o Top stitch down each edge.

o Cut a 3 inch piece off one end. Fold this in half and baste the raw edge. This will be your zipper loop. The remainder will be your strap.

*** open the zipper about ½ way before continuing. You will be working with the bag inside out to do the next seams.

5. Bottom seam

Match all four layers along the bottom and stitch with a ¼” seam allowance. Zigzag the raw edge for a cleaner finish.

6. Side Seams

Match all four layers along each side seam and stitch with a ¼” seam allowance. Zigzag the raw edge for a cleaner finish.

7. Finishing the corners and attaching the strap and zipper loop.

Work on the side of the bag with the closed end of the zipper first.

o Stitch the bottom corner closed, zigzag for reinforcement.

o Pin the zipper loop to the top corner, underneath the zipper, being sure the loop is on the right side of the fabric (so that it ends up on the outside of the bag when you turn it right side out.)

o Stitch through all the layers, being careful when you go across the teeth of the zipper, and backstitching for reinforcement.

o Trim the zipper flush with the seam allowance and zigzag the edge for reinforcement and a cleaner finish.

Now attach the strap

o Tuck the strap into the bag and pin it in the center of each corner, being sure the strap is not twisted. If the strap is longer than you want it to be, trim it to the desired length.

o Stitch the bottom corner closed, zigzag for reinforcement.

o Fold the open ends of the zipper in so that they meet in the center. Stitch through all the layers,, being careful when you go across the teeth of the zipper, and backstitching for reinforcement.

o Trim the zipper flush with the seam allowance and zigzag the edge for reinforcement and a cleaner finish.

8. You are done!

Turn the bag right side out through the zipper, and be sure to push the corners out to square up the bag. Add a decorative zipper pull, and you are DONE!

* to use Tyvek as a lining fabric please note the following:

Tyvek can be found in jumpsuits/coveralls for industry work. This type of tyvek is very soft and fabric-like.

You can also find Tyvek by recycling mailing envelopes or FedEx pouches. This tyvek is medium weight, but not suitable to use with light colored cover fabrics as the printing will probably show through.

Tyvek used to wrap houses in new construction is also useful. This is very stiff and paperlike, but softens when you crumple it. It will stay wrinkled though.

Tyvek should not be ironed or put into the dryer.

Tyvek lends itself to some fun embellishing. It can be painted, rubber stamped, and beaded or embroidered. In the sample above I used all three techniques. Because of it's non-porous nature, inks for non-porous surfaces, alcohol based quick drying inks, and acrylic paints work best. Embellishments and other seams should be done with long stitches to avoid perforating and tear out of the material.

On this bag I did the stamping and painting before assembly, and added the beaded embellishments later.

Writing on the tyvek is also fun - in this bag I wrote a message to the recipient on the inside with a permanant marker before assembling the bag.