BERNINA Corporate Blog -
DIY Drink Tote with Bow Tie Handle: Simple Sewing Tutorial
Christmas is almost here! And if you’re anything like me.. you might be looking for some last minute gift ideas.
Gifts that are handmade have always had a special place in my heart, but unfortunately I usually don’t have time to make everyone personalized quilts.
So instead every year I whip up something smaller and a little easier to manage.
This year for Christmas, I wanted an adorable way to deliver fizzy drinks to friends and family, thus this DIY drink holder tote bag was born!
The bow on top is the perfect way to add holiday cheer AND it’s useful when carrying drinks.
I know you’ll love making this easy drink tote bag as much as all of your friends will enjoy receiving one!
To Make the DIY Drink Tote You’ll Need:
- ⅓ Yard Outside Fabric
- ⅓ Yard Lining Fabric
- ¼ Yard or Fat Quarter of Handle Fabric
- ⅓ Yard Fusible Fleece
*Note on fabric: I used quilting cotton from my most recent Moda fabric collection Rainier, however you can also use upholstery fabric, linens, canvas or even jeans. If you use a thicker fabric, you won’t need to use fusible fleece.
Cutting The Tote Bag Pieces
Cut (2) 6” x 12” rectangles from the Outside fabric.
From one of the 6” sides, cut out (1) 1.25” square from the top and bottom corner (just on one side of the rectangle, leave the other side uncut).
Repeat to make (2) identical pieces from the outside fabric, (2) from the lining fabric and (2) from the fusible fleece.
For the bow handle, cut out 2 rectangles, 6” x 22”. For a longer bow, use longer strips.
Preparing the Tote Bag Pieces
Using a damp pressing cloth, fuse the fleece onto the wrong side of the outside fabric pieces.
Pin the right sides of the outside fabric pieces together along the outside, skipping the cut out corners and the top.
Sew along the two sides and bottom using a ¼” seam allowance and press your seams open to reduce bulk.
Repeat with the lining pieces, leaving a 2-3” hole for turning.
Pull the corners (small cutout squares) together to make the bottom corners of the bag.
Do this by lining up the seams so they match and sew across the angled edge.
Finishing The Drink Tote Bag
Flip the lining so it’s right side out, put it inside the outer piece wrong side out, so that both right sides are touching.
Line up the top edges and the seams on the sides. Pin in place and sew along the top.
Pull the outside fabric out of the hole that you left in the lining.
Push out all of the seams and then tuck in the hole that you left and hand stitch it closed using a ladder or slip stitch. (or machine stitch it, no one will see it!).
Push the lining back down into the outer piece and press the top, so it’s nice and flat.
You can add a top stitch around the top perimeter to add a professional touch and keep the lining in place.
Adding the Bow Handle to Your Tote Bag
Make your bow pieces by folding your bow rectangles in half lengthwise, right sides together, leaving a 2-3” section open for turning and sew around the perimeter (not the fold).
Trim the tips of the corners and flip your pieces right sides out. Iron flat.
Optional: Make one side of your bows diagonal by stitching a diagonal line on one end about 2.5-3″ up from the bottom.
Tuck the seam into the hole and stitch about ⅛” around the entire perimeter to close the hole.
Fold the handle in half and pin the square end to one side of the bag so that it overlaps with the bag by about 1”. Repeat on the opposite side, so that the fold goes in the same direction.
Sew a square on the handle where it overlaps to secure it. Add an X to secure it even more.
Make sure when you’re sewing to tuck the other side of the tote away so it doesn’t get caught while sewing the handles.
Repeat with the opposite handle to make the other side of the handle.
Tie a bow about 4” above the tote, and your cute drink tote is complete!
I can’t wait to see your tote bags, I wish you you wonderful and safe holiday season, don’t forget to share pictures by tagging @quiltdstudios on instagram 🙂
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