Applique Children Totes with Cricut

When my siblings and I were young, my mom made each of us a tote bag with a design on the front. We loved our bags. Like my children do now, we stuffed them full of all our worldly treasures so we could drag them around with us wherever we went. I used her very simple bag pattern to create a couple of totes for Love Bug and Sweet J for my entry in this month’s Cricut Design Space Star challenge. I was connected with a list of other bloggers to make up Team 15 and this month’s challenge was to create something fashion or gear related. Team 15 chose to create designer inspired projects. While the bag is inspired by my mom, the appliques are inspired by the darling appliques from Boden. I created a few of my own designs (and recreated a few of theirs) and used my Cricut Explore to bring them to life.

I don’t do it often enough but I love sewing. Despite some of the tediousness (jar of hearts, I’m looking at you), I couldn’t help but smile with glee at each step. I hope the children will be agreeable enough to allow me to borrow them once in a while.

Supplies:

-fabric*
-sewing machine
-Cricut Explore
-images – jar of hearts, car, whale & rainbow

*Fabric choice is up to you. I used a lightweight cotton for the inner shell and a heavy bottom weight for the outer and one corduroy.

After washing, drying and ironing the fabric, cut it down to your preferred size. I made two sizes: 16″ x 32″ and 11″ x 24″. Each bag has an inner fabric and an outer fabric and the dimensions for are the same for both. Each bag also needs two straps. I used 4″ x 14″ strip for the bigger bag and 3.5″ x 13″ for the smaller bag. Once everything is cut, take the inner and outer fabric cuts, fold them in half (so it looks like a bag) and sew up the sides with 1/2″ inseam.

Cut the fold within the inseam on each part then iron the seam open. Repeat with the other fabric.

Fold the corners into a triangle with the seam in the center. Repeat with the other fabric.

To give the bag a box-like bottom, measure in from the point and make a line. I used 4″ for the large bag (2″ on either side of the seam), 3″ for the smaller one (1.5″ on either side).

After it’s sewn, trim the corner off. Repeat with the other fabric.

I used my Cricut to cut out the designs I created for the bag. Before sending the fabric through the machine, I used iron-on Wonder Under to make my fabric more solid. Once the shapes were cut, I peeled off the back paper and them ironed the pieces into place before sewing them together. (Wonder Under is awesome!)

After the design was put together, I ironed it into place on the outer shell and then finished it up by sewing it permanently in place.

To make the straps, fold the fabric strip in half and them fold in a hem. Sew up both sides.

Time to sew it all together. Put the right sides of both bags together – the outer shell on the outside, the inner inside. Match up the seems and find the front and back centers. Place the straps. From the center, I measured 3.5″ to each side on the large bag and 3″ for the small bag and pinned the strap in place on the inside of my mark. Once everything is in place and pinned just so, sew around the top with a 1/2″ inseam. Make sure to leave opening so the bag can be turned right side out.

Turn the bag right side out and stuff the inner shell inside the outer shell. Top stitch around the top of the bag to close the opening.

This post is in partnership with Cricut. I received the Cricut Explore as part of the Cricut Design Space Star Competition. All opinions are my own.

Let me introduce you to my awesome Design Star Team and 6 other Fabulous Designer Inspired Projects!

Pam and Lisa from Over the big Moon – Knock off Graphic Tees
Shelly from the Dolen Diaries – Hello Goodbye Statement Overnight Bag
Amber from Crazy Little Projects – Pencil Case Tutorial
Melissa from The Polka Dot Chair – Custom Printed Fabric Infinity Scarf
Amy from this heart of mine – Appliqué Children Totes
Jeanne from Vintage Renewal – Layered Leather Geometric Necklace
Ann Marie from White House Black Shutters – Kate Spade Inspired Cheetah Shoes