Witchy Stitches: Quilt a Halloween Tote
Quilted tote bag featuring a whimsical witch hat design. Finished size: 7.5" × 11.5”
Supply List:
· Cotton Fabric
· Quilt Batting
· Scissors
· Tape Measure
· Pins & Clips
· Disappearing Ink Marking Pen
Other supplies not pictured:
· Corner Tuner
· Iron & Ironing Board
· Thread
Step Out:
Step 1: Prep Pattern (Image 02 – Pattern Prep)
Seam Allowance
- Add Seam Allowance to pattern – Using a pencil and rulers add ¼” to 5/8” seam to each of the pattern pieces
- Cut Pattern – Using paper scissors trim pattern along seam allowance lines
Step 2: Prep Fabric
· Witch Hat - Fold Material in half with wrong sides facing. Pin witch hat pattern pieces to material using a rotary cutter and rotating Omnigrid mat, cut out pattern pieces.
· Additional Pieces (for back, sides and strap) –
o Back Side of Bag (same finished size as front of bag) – 7 strips (5) 2”x12” and (2) 2 ¾” x12”.
o Top for front and back panels (2) panels 2 ½” x 16 ½”
o Botton for front and back panels (2) panels 4 ½” x 16 ½”
o Front Side Panels (2) 2 ¼” x 13”
o Lining (2) pieces 19x16 ½”
o Straps (2) 2” x 20” (adjust length to suit your tote)
Step 3: Assemble Front Panel – Witch Hat
· Build the witch hat and sew the 3 hat pieces together beginning with the larger triangle and stitch the lower piece to the top piece
· Witch Hat Background – stitch the background pieces to the sewn witch hat
· Witch Hat Brim – sew the smaller background pieces to the witch hat brim
· Sew the brim to the bottom of the Witch Hat Block
· Sew the Front Side Panels to the Witch Hat Block
· Sew the Top & Bottom pieces to the Witch Hat Panel
· Sew the bottom background piece to the bottom of the brim
· Add a buckle cut from pleather or other textured material
Step 4: Assemble Back Panel
· Stitch the back strips together lengthwise (trim if needed to match the Witch Hat Front Panel.
· Stitch the top and bottom panels on the back piece (check that your seams will match when lined up with the front Witch Hat Panel)
Step 5: Quilt
Pin Front Panel to batting and use your favorite technique to quilt the front Witch Hat Panel Repeat with the back panel.
Step 6: Straps
· Stitch straps lengthwise and turn. Quilt Straps for extra durability.
· Pin Straps to the right side of the top of Front and Back Panels.
· Create a sandwich with the front panel facing up and straps, place a lining piece over the front. Sew the pieces together at the top of the bag. Repeat with the back panel.
Step 7: Stitching Front and Back Together
· Open the Front Panel and place it flat facing up on your work surface. Place the Back Panel on top of the Front Panel with right sides facing. Pin along the edge.
· Stitch around the panels leaving at least a 4” gap open on the bottom of the lining pieces
Step 8: Boxing the Corners
· With the bag wrong side out, cut 2" squares from both bottom corners of your tote’s front and back panels.
· Pick up one of the bottom corners where you removed the 2" square.
Pull the side and bottom seam toward each other so they meet in the center, forming a flat triangle. Make sure the seams nest together (pressing one seam to the left and the other to the right helps reduce bulk).
· Once your seams are perfectly aligned, pin or clip the raw edges together to hold everything in place. Stitch straight across the open edge — perpendicular to the side seam.
· Repeat for all other corners.
Step 9: Turn Bag & Press
· Turn bag through the opening in the lining and give all of the seams a last press. Use a Corner Turner to push out any seams. Closing lining opening using a running hand stitch or iron with hem tape.