Kid’s Butterfly Tote Bag Tutorial
We are so so excited to bring you this kid's butterfly tote bag tutorial based on the Butterfly Garden quilt pattern! Kim Vogelsang, the designer of this tote, is a long-time Suzy Quilts pattern tester. She surprised me with both an adult and matching mini butterfly tote when she mailed me her sample quilt for photographs!
When I opened the box and pulled out those coordinating totes, y’all, I LOST MY MIND! I couldn't wait to show my two-year-old daughter, Joanna, her new little bag. She loves it and we have had a lot of fun showing them off.
So, of course, after first strutting around with our matching tote bags, I emailed Kim and asked if she would write a tutorial for us. We are so lucky she said yes because every one of you needs to make this!
Oh! And I almost forgot, not only are we giving you instructions for the mini kid's butterfly tote bag, Kim is including some additional information so you can make the adult Butterfly Garden tote bag too! That bonus adult butterfly tote bag tutorial is at the bottom. Wahoo!!
This tutorial is used in conjunction with the Butterfly Garden quilt pattern — so to make this kid's butterfly tote bag, you will need the pattern for the full quilt block instructions.
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Kid's Butterfly Tote Bag Supplies and Fabric
- Butterfly Garden Quilt Pattern
- *Cotton webbing (tote bag handles): 3/4" - 1 1/4" wide x 28" long
- Pellon Fusible Fleece 987: 1/2 yard
- Disappearing ink fabric marker
- Binding clips
- Basic quilting supplies
* The leather handles that I used on these totes are from a local wholesale leather place in downtown Indianapolis. These leather straps are very similar. If you opt for leather straps, be sure to use a sharp 90/14 needle when sewing them into the bag.
This tutorial uses Essex linen in Lilac and Nutmeg, Tilda Meadow Basics in Lilac, and fabric scraps.
- 1 1/2" x 5" scraps of four different fabrics (Tilda floral)
- Top exterior panels: 1/2 yard (Essex Lilac)
- Bottom exterior panels: 1/4 yard (Essex Nutmeg)
- Lining and inside pocket: 1/3 yard (round up to 1/2 yard if needed)
Quilting Terms
- RST = right sides together
- WST = wrong sides together
- WOF = width of fabric
- Seam allowance = 1/4" for piecing the blocks, but 1/2" for construction of the tote
Step 1: Make the Butterfly Garden Block
For the kid's butterfly tote bag, you will make a Butterfly Garden quilt block as instructed in the pattern, just with smaller cutting measurements. To assemble the block, refer to the Butterfly Garden quilt pattern for full instructions. Follow the cutting instructions below to make one small block for this project:
- Butterfly Wings (Tilda floral): (4) 1 1/2" x 5" strips for pieces a, b, c, and d
- Four Patch (Essex Nutmeg): (1) 1 1/2" x 8" for piece e
- Background (Essex Lilac): (1) 4 1/2" square piece f, (1) 1 1/2" x 8" strip piece g, (2) 2 1/8" x 2 1/2" piece h, (2) 2 1/8" x 4 1/8" piece i
Follow the Butterfly Garden pattern instructions on pages 4-6 to assemble your butterfly block. The unfinished butterfly block should measure 7 3/4" square.
Step 2: Cut Kid's Tote Bag Fabric Pieces
Next, follow the instructions below to cut all of the fabric, fusible fleece, and cotton webbing you'll need to make the kid's tote bag.
Cut the following pieces from the Background exterior top fabric (Essex Lilac):
- Front Exterior Top Strip: (1) 13 3/4" x 1 3/4"
- Front Exterior Sides: (2) 7 3/4" x 3 1/2"
- Back Exterior Top Panel: (1) 13 3/4" x 9 1/2"
- Lining Facing: (2) 2 1/2" x 13 3/4"
Cut the following pieces from the exterior bottom fabric (Essex Nutmeg):
- Exterior Bottom: (2) 3 1/2" x 13 3/4"
Cut the following pieces from the fusible fleece:
- Exterior Top Fusible Fleece: (2) 13 3/4" x 9 1/2"
Exterior Bottom Fusible Fleece: (2) 3 1/2" x 13 3/4"
Cut the following pieces from the lining and pocket fabric as well as the cotton webbing:
- Lining: (2) 11 1/2" x 13 3/4"
- Pocket: (2) 4" x 6"
- Cotton Webbing: (2) 14" strips
Step 3: Assemble the Butterfly Panel
Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew one Front Exterior Side piece to the left side of the the mini Butterfly Garden block, RST, and sew the other Front Exterior Side piece to the right side. Press seams open.
Next, sew the Front Exterior Top Strip to the top of the block. The Butterfly Garden Panel should now measure 13 3/4" x 9 1/2".
Step 4: Prepare Exterior Panels
Follow manufacturer’s directions to adhere the fusible fleece interfacing to wrong sides of the Butterfly Garden Panel created in Step 3, the Back Exterior Top Panel, and both Exterior Bottom pieces.
If you’d like, now is the time you can quilt your top exterior panels. I used a 1" crosshatch on mine, but feel free to quilt to your liking or not at all.
Using a 1/2" seam allowance, attach one Exterior Bottom to the Butterfly Garden Panel. Press fabric towards the Butterfly Garden Panel. Lengthen your stitch length to a 3 (assuming you've been sewing with a 2.5 stitch length) and topstitch 1/4" above the seam. Repeat this step with the second Exterior Bottom and the Back Exterior Top Panel.
Step 5: Assemble the Outside of the Kid's Tote Bag
Using a disappearing fabric marker, trace a 1 3/4" square in the bottom corners on the wrong side of each panel. Cut the squares out of each panel using a rotary cutter or scissors.
Pin or clip the panels right sides together, aligning the sides, bottom, and horizontal seams. Sew a 1/2" seam allowance along the sides and bottom, backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam. Do not sew where the 1 3/4" squares were cut.
Align the side seams with the bottom seam of the cut corners. Pin or clip in place and sew along the raw edge using a 1/2" seam allowance, backstitching at the beginning and end. Turn bag right side out.
Step 6: Add the Straps
Find the middle of the bag's top edges by folding them in half and finger pressing. You can also use the tip of the butterfly wing as the center mark for the front of the bag. Using a ruler and a disappearing fabric marker, measure and mark 2" on each side of the center mark.
Pin or clip the straps along the top raw edges of the front and back of the bag. There should be a 4" gap between the inner edges of the straps.
Stitch the straps in place using a 1/8" seam allowance, backstitching a couple of times on each to secure them in place.
Step 7: Make the Tote Bag Lining and Pocket
Attach the Lining Facing strips to the lining pieces using a 1/2" seam allowance. Press the seams towards the Facing strips and top stitch 1/4" above the seam.
Just like in Step 5, using a disappearing fabric marker, trace a 1 3/4" square in the bottom corners on the wrong side of each panel. Cut the squares out of each panel.
Sew the two Pocket pieces right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a small opening on one of the long sides. Clip the corners diagonally, turn right side out, and press.
Find the center of one of the lining pieces by ironing it in half vertically. Do the same with your pocket piece.
Pin the pocket in place 1" below the lining facing seam, lining up the center seams and making sure the opening you used to turn the pocket inside out is at the bottom. Stitch 1/8" around the sides and bottom of the pocket.
Place the lining panels right sides together. Sew a 1/2" seam around the sides and the bottom, backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam. Do not sew along the 1 3/4" squares that were cut out of the bottom corners. When you sew along the bottom, leave a 4" opening.
Step 8: Finish the Butterfly Kid's Tote Bag
Insert the exterior of the bag (right side out) into the lining (wrong side out). Be sure to tuck the handles down between the exterior and lining.
Clip or pin around the raw edges of the bag exterior and lining and stitch a 1/2" seam allowance along the top edge.
Turn the tote right side out through the opening at the bottom of the lining. Tuck the lining down inside the tote and iron along the top edge of the tote.
Lengthen your stitch length to 3 and topstitch 1/4" around the top of the tote.
Sew the opening in the lining closed either by machine or hand.
I hope you enjoyed this kid's butterfly tote bag tutorial! If you have any questions or compliments ;), feel free to comment below. And of course, if you make a mini tote for the mini in your life, let us know! You can post a pic in the Suzy Quilts Patterns Facebook group or on Instagram using #SuzyQuiltsPatterns and #ButterflyGardenQuilt.
BONUS: Adult Butterfly Tote Bag Tutorial
This bonus tutorial uses many of the same instructions for the kid's tote bag tutorial so reference the kid's tote instructions for pictures if you need them. The cutting instructions are different and some of the bag construction is different, however once you make the mini tote, it will feel like walk in the park making the second one. Here we go!
Adult Butterfly Tote Bag Supplies and Fabric
The adult tote bag uses a Butterfly Garden block that is the same size as the blocks in the Butterfly Garden pattern. Supplies are the same as the kid's tote with two changes:
- Cotton webbing (tote bag handles): 3/4" - 1 1/4" wide x 50" long
- Pellon Fusible Fleece 987: 3/4 yard
This adult tote bag uses Essex linen in Eggplant and Nutmeg, and Tilda Chic Escape Daisy Fields in taupe for the butterfly wings.
- Scraps of four different fabrics (Tilda)
- Top exterior panels: 3/4 yard (Essex Eggplant) - I included extra fabric to use in the butterfly block
- Bottom exterior panels: 1/4 yard (Essex Nutmeg)
- Lining and inside pocket: 5/8 yard
Step 1: Make the Butterfly Garden Block
Use the cutting measurements and instructions in the pattern to make a single block. The unfinished block measures 15 3/4" square.
Step 2: Cut Adult Tote Bag Fabric Pieces
Next, follow the instructions below to cut all the fabric, fusible fleece, and cotton webbing you'll need to make the adult tote bag.
Cut the following pieces from the Background exterior top fabric (Essex Eggplant):
- Front Exterior Sides: (2) 1 3/4" x 15 3/4"
- Back Exterior Top Panel: (1) 18 3/4" x 15 3/4"
- Lining Facing: (2) 2 3/4" x 18 3/4"
Cut the following pieces from the exterior bottom fabric (Essex Nutmeg):
- Exterior Bottom: (2) 5" x 18 3/4"
Cut the following pieces from the fusible fleece:
- Exterior Top Fusible Fleece: (2) 15 3/4" x 18 3/4"
- Exterior Bottom Fusible Fleece: (2) 5" x 18 3/4"
Cut the following pieces from the lining and pocket fabric as well as the cotton webbing:
- Lining: (2) 18" x 18 3/4"
- Pocket: (2) 6" x 8"
- Cotton Webbing: (2) 24" strips
Step 3: Assemble the Butterfly Panel
Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew one Front Exterior Side to the left side of the butterfly block, RST. Repeat by sewing the second Front Exterior Side to the right side of the butterfly block. Press seams open. Your Butterfly Garden Panel should measure 15 3/4" x 18 3/4".
Step 4: Prepare Exterior Panels
Follow manufacturer’s directions to adhere the fusible fleece interfacing to the wrong sides of the Butterfly Garden Panel created in Step 3, the Back Exterior Top Panel, and both Exterior Bottom pieces.
If you’d like, now is the time you can quilt your top exterior panels. I used a 1" crosshatch on mine, but feel free to quilt to your liking or not at all.
Using 1/2" seam allowance, attach one Exterior Bottom to the Butterfly Garden Panel. Press fabric towards the Butterfly Garden Panel. Lengthen your stitch length to 3 (assuming you've been sewing with a 2.5 stitch length) and topstitch 1/4" above the seam. Repeat this step with the second Exterior Bottom and the Back Exterior Top Panel.
Step 5: Assemble the Outside of the Adult Tote Bag
Using a disappearing fabric marker, trace a 2 1/2" square in the bottom corners on the wrong side of each panel. Cut the squares out of each panel using a rotary cutter or scissors.
Pin or clip the panels right sides together, aligning the sides, bottom, and horizontal seams. Sew a 1/2" seam allowance along the sides and bottom, backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam. Do not sew where the 2 1/2" squares were cut.
Align the side seams with the bottom seam of the cut corners. Pin or clip in place and sew along the raw edge using a 1/2" seam allowance, backstitching at the beginning and end. Turn bag right side out.
Step 6: Add the Straps
Find the middle of the bag's top edges by folding them in half and finger pressing. You can also use the tip of the butterfly wing as the center mark for the front of the bag. Using a ruler and a disappearing fabric marker, measure and mark 3" on each side of the center mark.
Pin or clip the straps along the top raw edges of the front and back of the bag. There should be a 6" gap between the inner edges of the straps.
Stitch the straps in place using a 1/8" seam allowance, backstitching a couple of times on each to secure them in place.
Step 7: Make the Tote Bag Lining and Pocket
Attach the Facing strips to the lining pieces using a 1/2" seam allowance. Press the seams towards the Facing strips and top stitch 1/4" above the seam.
Just like in Step 5, using a disappearing fabric marker, trace a 2 1/2" square in the bottom corners on the wrong side of each panel. Cut the squares out of each panel.
Sew the two Pocket pieces right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a small opening on one of the long sides. Clip the corners diagonally, turn right side out, and press.
Find the center of one of the lining pieces by ironing it in half vertically. Do the same with your pocket piece.
Pin the pocket in place 1" below the lining facing seam, lining up the center seams and making sure the opening you used to turn the pocket inside out is at the bottom. Stitch 1/8" around the sides and bottom of the pocket.
Place the lining panels right sides together. Sew a 1/2" seam around the sides and the bottom, backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam. Do not sew along the 2 1/2" squares that were cut out of the bottom corners. When you sew along the bottom, leave a 4" opening.
Step 8: Finish the Butterfly Adult Tote Bag
Insert the exterior of the bag (right side out) into the lining (wrong side out). Be sure to tuck the handles down between the exterior and lining.
Clip or pin around the raw edges of the bag exterior and lining and stitch a 1/2" seam allowance along the top edge.
Turn the tote right side out through the opening at the bottom of the lining. Tuck the lining down inside the tote and iron along the top edge of the tote.
Lengthen your stitch length and topstitch 1/4" around the top of the tote.
Sew the opening in the lining closed either by machine or hand.
Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to gather my fabric to make these adorable totes. Thank you for sending along these tutorials. Love the pics too!
Marvelous!
What is the attachment in the 5th picture of the tutorial that shows a wire keeping you on a straight line while sewing horizontal lines?
That is quilting guide bar. They are really helpful when straight line quilting.
So much fun! I used leather strip handles for the time using a leather needle and my walking foot. The bag turned out beautiful. Your directions and pictures were so clear and informative. Thanks