Couched Patchwork Tote Bag – Tutorial

To make this couched patchwork tote bag I have used a Charm Pack. I love using 5″ squares to make bags. Everything is precut and you don’t have to think to hard about matching fabrics as it’s all done for you. That is of course, if you are using Moda Charm Squares or another brand of precut squares. However, for this tutorial you could cut also your own. I have used Suzani by  Michelle Marvig for George Parsons. I just love the colours. And there are so many lovely charm packs available so we are really spoilt for choice. You can find a range of Moda Charm Packs at Fabric.com and Amazon also have a wide range.

Note: You can scroll down to the bottom of the post to see the video tutorial for this project.

What you need:

• 16 x  5″ squares
• 1 piece  of fabric for the backing – ours is 18½” by 18½”
• 2 pieces of batting or fusible fleece – depending on the look you want – our two pieces each measure 18½” by 18½”
• 2 pieces of fabric measuring 18½” by 18½” for the lining
• 2 pieces of fabric measuring 5″ x  22″ or the length you want for your handles.
• 2 pieces of batting 2½” wide by the length of your handle
• 1 ball of thick wool (you don’t need much so you may have some in your wool stash)

TOOLS WE USED

Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 8-1/2in x 24-1/2in *

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OLFA 24" x 36" Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary M... *

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OLFA RTY-3/G 60mm Rotary Cutter *

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Oliso TG1600 Smart Iron with iTouch Technology, 1800 Watts, ... *

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Quilter's Slidelock 24" Lighted Edge Ruler Guide *

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Step 1:

• Lay out your squares

Step 2:

• Sew the squares together in rows

• Press the seams in opposite directions for each row, as pictured above.

Step 3: 

• Sew rows together

Step 4: 

• Add batting to back of main piece and wrong side of back piece. Put backing piece aside.

Step 5: Couching

• On a piece of scrap material test the size of your zig-zag stitch. You want it to go right across the yarn and not split it.

• When you are happy with the width of your zig-zag then you are ready to attach the thread to the seam lines of your squares.  We sew the thread across all three rows then turn the bag and couch down the other three rows, just running the thread over top of the thread you have laid down previously.

• Trim off the threads

Step 6: Sew Main Piece to Backing Piece

• Place the main piece and the backing right sides together and sew around 3 sides with a ¼” seam.
• Leave the top end open.
• Pivot at the corners.
• Backstitch at the start and the end.

• Turn bag to right side. Put aside for now.

Step 7: Lining

• Take your two lining pieces and join them on 3 sides using a ¼” seam allowance.
• Leave the top end open.
• Pivot at the corners.
• Backstitch at the start and the end.

Step 8: Box the Corner

• I wanted a four inch base on this bag so I measured down 2″ from the base of the ‘V ‘at the corner  where the bottom and the side seam meet.  Make sure the bottom and side seams line up perfectly as you want to have a continuous look to your seam line when you finish.
• We have a tutorial on “How to Box Bag Corners” where you can see this process in detail.
• You need to box all four corners – 2 on the lining and 2 on the main piece of the bag.

• Trim the excess fabric  from the boxed corner when you are happy that the seams line up. Leave about a ¼” seam.

• Put all the pieces aside and make your handles.

Step 9: Handles

• Fold your handle pieces right sides together and press down the length of the fabric

• Open out and fold each edge to the middle – the fold line that you have just made down the middle – and press

• Open out and lay your batting down the middle.

• Fold the edges back into the middle over the batting.

• Topstitch down both sides of handle ⅛”  from the edge.

• Measure in 4″ from each side seam and draw a small line with a water erasable or Frixion pen.

• Pin the handles in place, with one side on the mark you have just drawn. Make sure they are not twisted and pin with the bulk of the handle out towards the side seam.
• I like to stitch them in place before adding the lining so that they don’t move and I know that they are sitting correctly.

Step 10: Putting the Bag Together

• Turn the lining inside out and place the bag inside the lining so that the right sides are facing. Make sure the handles are pushed down towards the bottom of the bag.  We don’t want to catch them up in the seam we are going to sew around the top.

• Line up the sides seams from the lining piece and the main bag piece and pin

•  Give the bag a bit of a shake (hold on to the top edge), you want the whole thing to lay relatively flat.
• Pin the two pieces together and join with a ¼” seam. Make sure you leave about a 4″ to 5″  opening on the back side of the bag so that you can turn the bag through once you have sewn it together.

• Turn bag through. Push lining to the inside of the bag. Make sure it’s nice and neat by giving it a bit of a press.
• Topstitch around the top of the bag about ⅛” from the edge.

And here we have it – our couched patchwork tote bag is finished.  Don’t forget to check out the video for the full instructions.