DIY Kid's Book (Junk) Tote for the Car

Fell in love with this idea:

Inspiration

My version!

The only tutorial I found for making these was a bit vague, so here’s my attempt for a version for sewing-impaired people like myself to get through this project.

Need:

1 yard heavier fabric (front and back pieces)

1 yard colorful fabric

1 yard of colorful coordinating fabric (to make bias tape, but you can buy this as well)

I was able to use scraps from other projects, so try to do that first if you want to be more cost efficient!

Time: approximately 2 hours 

Design

1.       Cut the fabric out. Here’s my design with lots of colors so you can differentiate the different pieces. Obviously, if there is a x#, then you need multiples of that size. NOTE: So I’m not doing the bias tape bit like it’s supposed to be done at all, the reason being I simply didn’t have enough fabric of that color and I wasn’t going to buy more stuff for this project. So you amazing sew-ers, try not to cringe too much as I get through this in a modified way…haha. Great tutorial to learn how to make bias tape found here.

  

2.       Iron. I hate this step. I’ve skipped it on other projects only to realize how much it would have helped. You need to iron the fake-bias tape strips and handle/ties into shape. Just suck it up and go for it. 30 minutes of work and it will make your life so much easier.

3.       Sew on the ironed bias tape strips to the tops of your pocket pieces. Following my design, you should be using 4 of the 6 you made.

4.       Arrange the pockets and pin the sides. Sew the bottom ONLY of each pocket to the back layer. SKIP the last pocket bottom, but leave it pinned. You’ll get to it later.

5.       NOW you will sew the sides down and bottom-most pocket. Remember to leave the top open!

Close-up

I know. It looks sloppy and gross. Patience.

.    6. Tie/handle time! If you want to make it easier, just buy ribbon. I didn’t have any on hand, so here we go. Sew the edges along all sides.

7.       Time to add the back pieces. Your pocket/print side up, put the back down (right sides facing). Pin and sew along the edges and bottom, leaving the top open.

8.       Here’s the tricky part. You should have sock-like looking thing with pockets facing inward. Pin the handles downwards INSIDE and on the back piece. Sew them into place and backstitch over them. Now turn your project so everything looks as it should (pockets facing outwards). NOTE: In theory, you could end the project here since you have those nice, turned edges. I choose to add some extra fabric cuteness, but you could top stitch around the outside and call it done. 

9.       Add the top bias tape piece to seal those open top edges and then sew more along the sides and bottom. DONE!! (phew!)   

  

Moving into the car shortly!