Picnic Tote Bag Instructions

SUPPLIES:

Roc-lon® Multi-Purpose Cloth™ – White
2 – 18” x 18” for bag
2 – 24” x 2 ½” for straps
1 yard rick rack
Oilcloth for embellishing
Fabric glue
Rotary cutter
Mat
Quilters ruler

CONSTRUCTION:

Place bag piece on a table in front of you. From each of the two bottom corners, cut out and remove a 3” square. Repeat for the other piece of cloth. This will be the bottom of the bag. Using a ½” seam allowance, with bag pieces together, stitch down the sides and across the bottom. Do not stitch into the cutout corners. Bring one side seam down to meet the bottom seam of one corner. Stitch across using a ¼” seam allowance. Repeat for the other corner. Turn the top of the bag down 1 ¼” toward the inside and press. Fold straps in half lengthwise. Stitch close to the raw edges. Measure in 5” from each bag side seam at the top and place a mark. Center the strap ends on this mark, keeping the short edge of each strap even with the raw edge of the turned down top. Baste in place. Turn the bag right side out. Place the rick rack 1” down from the top of the bag and stitch in place, turning under ends where they meet. This stitching will also attach the straps and keep the turned down top edge in place.

ADDING OILCLOTH FRUIT INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut various fruits or other objects that you wish to use from oilcloth. Using the fabric glue, glue objects in place on the front of the bag in a pleasing arrangement.

OTHER OPTIONS:

Fabric appliqué is another technique that can be used to embellish this tote bag. Cut objects from fabric and place on bag. Secure by using a satin stitch all around.
Bag can also be decorated with machine embroidery or stamped with rubber stamps and acrylic paint.