Alexis Puff Quilt Tote Bag

We’ve been seeing puff quilting on clothing and accessories everywhere, and we’re head over heels for this playful puff quilted tote from Mallory Hill. Made in shades of bright, cheerful blue, this quilted tote bag pattern finishes at approximately 15 inches by 12 inches and easily holds your essentials. This tote bag pattern is ideal for easy to intermediate level quilters, and is a fabulous accessory to add to your closet. Carry your wallet, water bottle, and phone in a stylish new tote this fall with this bag sewing pattern.

Finished Size: About 15” wide x 12” tall x 3” deep

Designer Notes: Sew using 1/4” seam allowances except where noted otherwise.

Materials:

• Exterior fabric (puffs) – 1/4 yard each of 2-3 fabrics
• Backing fabric (for puffs) – 3/4 yd – scraps or muslin (Note: This fabric will not be visible in the final bag.)
• Interior fabric (for bag and pocket lining and handles) – 1 1/8 yds
• Polyester fiber filling – small bag (about 20 oz.)
• Medium weight fusible interfacing – 1 yd
• Coordinating thread

Tools:

• Sewing machine
• Iron / ironing board
• Rotary cutter / Ruler / Cutting mat
• Scissors
• Pins / Clips
• Temporary fabric marking tool

Cutting Instructions:

• Exterior: (53) 4” squares
• Backing: (53) 3.5” squares
• Interior: Lining Panel: (2) 15 1/2” W x 12 1/2” T
• Interior: Gusset: (1) 40” W x 3 1/2”
• Interior: Handle: (2) 30” W x 6” T
• Interior: Pocket Panel: (2) 9 1/2” squares

Piecing Instructions:

CREATE PUFF SQUARES:

1. Place one Exterior square wrong sides together (WST) with one Backing square, matching one corner. Sew a few stitches, pause with the needle down, match the adjacent corners of both squares, and hold or pin the corners together. Because the squares are different sizes, there will be extra fabric in the middle of your seam. Fold the extra fabric down to create a small pleat in the middle of the Exterior square along the seam, and continue sewing along the edge with a 1/4” seam allowance until you reach the pinned/held corners. Repeat for two more sides of the square, sewing a total of three sides of all 53 pairs of squares. Tip: If desired, after sewing over the first pleat, pause sewing again when the needle is 1/4” away from the pinned/held corners, then, keep the needle in the down position, pivot the pair of squares to sew over the second pleat without having to start or stop the stitch line. Repeat this pivot at the next corner and sew over the third pleat, continuing all the way to the edge of the unit to end the seam, leaving one side of the pair of squares open.
2. Place (2) squares right sides together (RST), keeping the open side of each square at the top. Keep sewing squares together into the total number of rows as listed below. Do not sew rows together yet.
   1. For the Back Panel: Sew four rows of (5) squares each.
   2. For the Exterior Gusset: Sew one row of (13) squares.
   3. For the Exterior Pocket: Sew three rows of (3) squares each.
   4. For the Side Rows: Sew two rows of (4) squares each.
   5. For the Front Top Row: Sew one row of (3) squares.
3. Stuff each square with fiber filling. Do not overfill; use a small amount to fill up each square and keep them similar in size.
4. Close up the top side of each row by sewing one continuous seam, pausing with the needle down as needed to create pleats on the top of each square.

CREATE BACK PANEL:

1. Placing rows RST and matching seams, sew together four rows of (5) squares each along the long edges to create the Back Panel.

CREATE FRONT PANEL:

1. Sew together three rows of (3) squares each to create the Exterior Pocket.
2. Place the Exterior Pocket RST with (1) Interior Pocket Panel, and sew across the top edge. Flip the pieces WST, press, and top stitch along the top edge of the Pocket to create the Front Pocket Panel. Tip: After topstitching the top edge, it may be helpful to add a basting stitch 1/8” away from the three raw edges of the panel to keep the Front Pocket Panel fabrics from shifting apart in the next steps.
3. Place the Front Top Row (one row of (3) squares) RST with the remaining Interior Pocket Panel, and sew across the bottom edge of the Front Top Row. Flip the pieces open and press flat.
4. Place the Front Pocket Panel on top the Interior Pocket Panel from the previous step, aligning the raw edges along the bottom and sides, and making sure that the topstitched edge of the Front Pocket Panel is aligned with the bottom edge of the Front Top Row. Baste in place 1/8” from the raw edges along the sides and bottom edge to create the Center Panel.
5. Place (1) Side Row RST along one side of the Center Panel. Stitch in place. Repeat with the remaining Side Row along the opposite side of the Center Panel to complete the Front Panel.

CREATE HANDLES:

1. Fold (1) Interior Handle piece lengthwise, WST, matching long, raw edges, press along center seam.
2. Open the fabric and press both long raw edges in toward the center crease made in the previous step, and and press.
3. Fold the fabric along the original center crease with both long, raw edges encased inside the fold.
4. Edgestitch at 1/8″ along each long edge of the Handle.

APPLY INTERFACING:

1. Apply medium weight fusible interfacing to both Interior Lining Panels and the Interior Gusset following the manufacturer’s instructions. Set aside.

ASSEMBLE TOTE:

Exterior:

1. Place the Exterior Gusset RST with the Front Panel. Beginning at the left side of the Front Panel, match seams between puffs and pin well along the side, across the bottom, and up the remaining side–the top edge of the Front Panel (closest to the pocket opening) should remain untouched.
2. Sew the Front Panel and Exterior Gusset together along the three pinned edges, pivoting around the corners.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 in the for the Back Panel and the other long edge of the External Gusset (there is no pocket opening to be concerned with on the Back Panel).

Assemble Tote Lining:

1. Repeat the same process of assembling the Tote Exterior using the Interior Lining Panels and Interior Gusset. Make sure to leave an opening along one bottom edge seam, about 6” long (for turning the Puff Tote later). Tip: It may be helpful to press the seam allowance crease along the 6” opening now, so that it will be easier to sew closed later.

Attach Straps:

1. Turn the Tote Exterior right side out, and lay it on your work surface with the Front Panel (pocket side) facing up. Along the top edge, measure 3 1/2” in from both sides and make marks using a temporary fabric marking tool within the seam allowance. Making sure that the Handle is not twisted, make a ‘U’ shape so that the short raw ends are centered on each mark, and the Handle loop is resting on top of the Tote Exterior Front Panel.
2. Baste both strap ends in place along the top edge of the Front Panel, using a 1/8″ seam allowance.
3. Flip the Tote Exterior over so that the Back Panel is facing up, and repeat the previous steps to baste the remaining Handle along the top edge of the Back Panel.

Finish Puff Tote:

1. Place the Tote Exterior inside the Tote Lining, RST, and pin in place around the top edge. The Handles should be down inside the bag, between the two layers.
2. Sew around the entire top edge perimeter, backstitching at the beginning and end. Tip: For added durability, backstitch over the strap ends, too, while sewing the top edge perimeter.
3. Turn the Puff Tote right side out through the hole in the base of the Tote Lining, gently poking out corners, then push the Tote Lining inside the Tote Exterior.
4. Press along the top edge, then topstitch around the entire top edge perimeter using a 1/8” seam allowance, backstitching at the beginning and end.
5. Fold the seam allowance inside the hole used for turning, press if needed, and edgestitch the opening closed with a 1/8” seam allowance, backstitching at beginning and end.
6. Fill up your tote with treasures and get ready for your next adventure!