Back to School: Drawstring Tote Tutorial

We're celebrating back to school, we're sharing some projects and tutorials featuring Hoodie Crescent's Ring Ring collection. See the links to all our projects at the bottom of this post.

Today we're featuring a drawstring tote made with the telephone print fabrics--sew fun and not just for the kids! You'll want one of these for yourself!

Drawstring Tote

You'll Need:
1 fat quarter each of green, pink, blue and orange telephone prints
1 yard black phone book print
1/2 yard green phone book print for lining
1/2 yard muslin

Cutting:
From each telephone print: 
(1) 4" x 15" piece

From the black phone book print: 
(3) 3" x 42" strips for drawstrings
(1) 14-1/2" x 18-1/2" directional piece
(2) 3" x 15" directional pieces

From the green phone book print:
(2) 14-1/2" x 18-1/2" pieces for lining

From the muslin:
(1) 15" x 19" piece

Make the Tote:
Step 1 Lay out the (4) 4" x 15" telephone print pieces and add 3" x 15" black phone book pieces to the top and bottom. Sew the pieces together lengthwise. 

Step 2 Layer the pieced front on the 15" x 19" muslin piece. Topstitch 1/4" from each seam line. Trim piece to measure 14-1/2" x 18-1/2".

Step 3 Layer the pieced front right sides together with the 14-1/2" x 18-1/2" black phone book piece and pin. Sew down each side (not the bottom!) with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a 1" opening that is 1/2" from each top edge as shown. Backstitch on both sides of the opening. 

Step 4 Layer the (2) 14-1/2" x 18-1/2" green phone book pieces right sides together. Stitch around the sides and bottom with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a 6" opening on the bottom edge. 

Step 5 Turn the outer bag right side out. Tuck it inside the lining so right sides are facing. Align side seams and pin the top raw edges together. 

Step 6 Turn the bag right side out and tuck the lining inside. Press the top edge of the bag. Stitch around the edge of the bag, 1-1/2" from the top, to create a casing for the drawstrings. Make sure that you're only sewing through the outer bag and the lining, and not accidentally sewing the other side of the bag as well. 

Step 7 Sew the (3) 3" x 42" black phone book strips short ends together. Press the long strip wrong sides together lengthwise. Unfold and press each long edge to the center fold. Refold on the original line. Topstitch 1/4" from both edges to create a drawstring strap. Cut in half to make (2) straps. 

Step 8 Attach a safety pin to the end of a strap. Pass it through the front casing from the left side, through the back casing, and out the same hole you started at as shown below. Repeat with the opposite strap, starting and ending on the right side. 

Step 9 Adjust the strap on the left so the ends are even. Note: If you want to shorten the strap lengths, cinch the straps at this point and try it on. Trim straps as needed. Pin the ends 1" in from the side seam as shown. Baste in place. Repeat with the second strap on the other end. 

Step 10 Turn the back wrong side out, align the front and back bottom edges, and pin. Stitch the bottom edge of the outer tote using a 1/2" seam allowance. Turn bag right side out. 

Step 11 Stitch the opening in the lining closed and tuck into the bag. 

Drawstring tote in action:

See the entire Ring Ring collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop. 

Find our pencil case tutorial here.

Find the fabric boxes tutorial here.

Find the notebook cover tutorial here.