Wildflower Oversized Tote Tutorial
Do you have a lot to carry around? Are you constantly lugging multiple tiny totes? We get it! That’s why this oversized tote tutorial is perfect for you! Not only is it big and functional, but it’s also beautiful. This oversized tote tutorial uses the Wildflower quilt pattern to make a gorgeous pieced front that you’ll want to show off at the library, grocery store, or your next quilt retreat!
I absolutely love making quilts. But sometimes, I just need a smaller project. A palate cleanser. And even though this oversized tote is, well, still pretty big, I can complete it while the kids are at school!
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The Wildflower Tutorial Series
This tutorial is part of our series highlighting additional ways to use the flower blocks in the Wildflower quilt pattern. You can find the tutorials in this series here:
- January 24: Wildflower Table Runner
- January 31: Wildflower Oversized Tote
Get the Wildflower quilt pattern here. Above is the multi-colored baby quilt.
Wildflower Oversized Tote Materials
Fabric Requirements
- Color 1: 3/8 yard
- Color 2: 1 yard
- Neutral Fabric: 1 fat eighth
- Lining: 1 1/3 yard
- Canvas: 1/4 yard
- Soft and Stable: 36" x 58" package
- Faux Leather Purse Handles: 3/4" x 24" pre-punched straps
Step 1: Select Fabrics
For tips for selecting fabrics for the Wildflower quilt block, check out the Wildflower table runner tutorial. This tutorial uses the following fabrics:
- Color 1: Blocks in Snapdragon from the Suzy Quilts Evolve fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics
- Color 2: Art Gallery Fabrics Linen Blend Solids in Sunkissed
- Neutral: Suzy Quilts Signature PURE Solids in Pearl
- Lining: Suzy Quilts Signature PURE Solids in Spiced
- Canvas: Big Sur in Canyon Brown by Robert Kaufman
When selecting fabrics, note that canvas is available in different weights. The canvas used in this tutorial is 9.6 oz per square yard. So try to find something in a similar weight.
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Step 2: Cut the Fabric
Follow the baby-sized cutting instructions on page 3 of the Wildflower quilt pattern to cut pieces a, b, c, and d from Color 1 and Color 2.
Then, from Color 2 only, cut the following (note that from here down, these dimensions now differ from the pattern’s cutting instructions and the piece letters are only used for guidance in later steps):
- e: (1) 3" x 26 1/2" rectangle
- f: (1) 23 x 26 1/2" rectangle
Now, from the Neutral fabric, cut:
- 2 – 6 1/4" squares
- h: 2 – 1 1/2" squares
From the Lining fabric, cut:
- i: 2 – 23" x 26 1/2" rectangles
From the Canvas, cut:
- j: 2 – 3 1/4" x 26 1/2" rectangles
Last, from the Soft and Stable, cut:
- (2) 24" x 27" rectangles
Step: 3 Assemble the Wildflower Blocks
Using the Wildflower Quilt pattern, make one Block 1 and one Block 2 using the Limited Color version layout and instructions.
Step 4: Assemble the Front Panel
Arrange the two blocks made in Step 3 next to each other vertically and sew them together along the long sides using a 1/4" seam allowance. Be sure to match up the corners of the leaf units. Press the seam open.
Next, sew Piece e to the bottom of the block unit using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seam toward Piece e.
The front panel should now measure 23" x 26 1/2".
Step 5: Quilt the Panels
Gather the front panel and Piece f (back panel).
Using basting spray or curved basting pins, baste each panel to the Soft and Stable.
Then, quilt the front panel to the Soft and Stable only (no backing) as desired. This tutorial uses a simple 2" grid, with a few extra lines to accentuate the flower block on the front panel.
Once the panel is quilted, sew a seam about 1/8" from the edge around the entire perimeter to lock down the quilting stitches.
Finally, square up the panel and trim any excess batting/foam from the edges. Keep in mind that the panel may shrink a bit due to the quilting. If the front panel measures less than 23" x 26 1/2", make sure to trim the back panel to the same size.
Repeat for the back panel.
Step 6: Add the Reinforced Canvas Layer
Gather the two Piece j rectangles cut from the canvas.
On both the front and back panels, use a disappearing ink pen to mark a line across the panel that is 2 3/4" up from the bottom on each side. On the front panel, this should align with the seam made when Piece e was attached in Step 4.
With right sides together, align the bottom of Piece j at this line as shown in the image below and pin to secure.
Next, sew along the bottom edge of Piece j using a 1/4" seam allowance. Fold Piece j down to align with the bottom edge of the front panel and press.
Topstitch on the canvas side about 1/4" away from the seam made in the previous step, increasing stitch length to 3.0.
Repeat for the back panel.
Step 7: Construct the Outer Bag
Place the front panel on top of the back panel, right sides together, with the canvas seams aligned on each side. Pin or clip to secure the bottom.
Next, sew across the bottom edge of the bag only using a 1/2" seam allowance.
Then, using a ruler, mark a 1 3/4" square on the right and left sides of the bottom of the bag, beginning the measurement above the seam sewn in the previous step.
Carefully cut out both squares with scissors.
Open the panels and press the bottom seam open. Then pin to secure.
Topstitch along both sides of the seam, about 1/4" away from the seam.
Fold the panels right sides together, matching up the side seams and ensuring that the canvas seams sewn in Step 6 are lined up.
Next, sew each side with a 1/4" seam allowance, stopping where the squares were cut out. Keep tote inside out.
To box the corners of the tote, begin on the left bottom corner where the 1 3/4" square was removed. Bring the bottom seam up to meet the side seam of the bag creating a straight line at the corner, and clip or pin.
Sew slowly across the corner with a 1/4" seam allowance, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. You may want to stitch over this seam several times for security.
Repeat on the other side.
Turn the outer bag right side out and press out the sides and corners of the bag.
Step 8: Make the Lining
Gather the two Piece i rectangles cut from the Lining fabric.
Place them right sides together, and pin the sides and bottom (note: the 26 1/2" sides are the top and bottom of the lining).
Now sew the left and right sides of the lining together using a 1/4" seam allowance, making sure to leave a 5-6" section on one side unsewn for turning.
Sew the bottom side with a 1/2" seam allowance.
Just like with the outer bag, use a ruler to mark a 1 3/4" square on the right and left sides of the bottom of the bag lining, beginning the measurement above the seams just made.
Carefully cut out both squares with scissors.
On the left side, bring the bottom seam up to the side seam of the bag and clip or pin. Sew across with a 1/4" seam allowance, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to secure.
Repeat on the other side.
Keep the lining bag inside out.
Step 9: Assemble the Tote Bag
Place the quilted outer bag inside the lining, making sure that the right sides are together.
Line up the side seams at the top of the bag and pin or clip. Continue pinning the lining to the outer bag around the perimeter, making sure it is evenly distributed
Sew around the top of the bag using a 1/4" seam allowance.
Use the opening left in the side of the lining panel to turn the bag right side out.
Before stuffing the lining back inside the bag, stitch the side opening closed either by hand using a ladder stitch or topstitch with your machine as close to the edge as possible.
Stuff the lining inside the tote.
Press the top seam of the bag so that the lining isn’t seen over the top edge of quilted outer bag. Then pin or clip to secure.
Next, from the outside of the bag, use a sewing machine to topstitch around the perimeter about 1/4" away from the top of the bag.
Step 10: Create Markings for the Faux Leather Handles
This tutorial uses faux leather straps that are pre-punched and are attached with thick thread, like the 8wt Evolve thread by Suzy Quilts for Aurifil.
Mark the top center of both the front and back of the tote with a removable pen.
Make an additional mark 3 1/2" on both the left and right of the center mark on both sides of the tote.
Beginning on the front of the tote, line up the inside edge of one of the straps with the mark on the left side of the center, keeping the top set of holes even with the topstitching line at the top of the tote. Make sure to place the straps so they are not obscuring the Wildflower Block. Use clips to hold the strap in place.
Step 11: Sew the Faux Leather Handles to the Oversized Tote
To attach the straps, this tutorial uses Aurifil 8wt thread in shade 2215 from the Suzy Quilts Evolve thread collection which coordinates nicely with the fabrics.
Before sewing the straps on, tie BOTH ends of thread together to double up the thread.
Hide the knot underneath the strap, poking through just the outer layer of the quilted bag and coming up through one of the top holes of the strap.
You can either criss cross your stitches across the strap like this tutorial shows, or just go around each side. But be careful to keep your stitches neat on the inside of the tote.
Bring the needle straight back down through the next hole of your choice, all the way through the outer tote and lining, and then coming back up the other side, back through the tote and strap.
Continue to sew the strap to the bag until you’ve threaded every hole in the strap and it is secure.
Tie off the end of the thread between the strap and the tote and trim the ends.
Moving to the right side of the front tote, line up the inside of the other end of the strap just attached, making the strap is not twisted. Attach this strap exactly as you did in the previous steps.
Repeat with the second strap on the back of the tote.
The finished tote measures approximately 26" wide x 20" high x 4" deep.
Where Will You Take Your Oversized Tote?
And your gorgeous Wildflower Tote is complete and ready to haul things around with you everywhere! Be sure to share what you made with this oversized tote tutorial on Instagram so we can celebrate you! Use #SuzyQuiltsBlog and tag @suzyquilts. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Where can I purchase the fabric you used in the Oversized Tote Bag. I love the colours you used.
April
Thank you! I did a search for “Blocks Snapdragon fabric” on Etsy and found a lot of shops carrying it.
It’s so cute!! I love it!
Love it