Cathedral Windows Tote Bag Tutorial

Cathedral Windows Tote Bag Tutorial

Supplies;

1 yd outer fabric

½ yd lining fabric
1 FQ solid fabric (for windows and border)
½ yd fusible fleece
1 yd woven fusible interfacing

Directions:
Cut from following:

Lining fabric
1- 18” X 31.5” piece

Outer fabric
4- 8” squares
1- 2.5” X 9” piece
1- 7.5” X 9” piece
1- 5” X 18” piece
1- 18” X 18.5” piece
2- 5” X 36” pieces (Straps)

Solid FQ
8- 2” squares (for windows)
2- 1”X 8” strips
2- 1” X 9” strips

Fusible Fleece
1- 18” X 31.5” piece

Woven Fusible Interfacing
2- 5” X 36” pieces

Assembling Outside of the Bag:
1. Follow the Cathedral Windows Basics Tutorial HERE using the size requirements listed below:
8” solid squares (I used the same printed fabric as the outer fabric of bag)
2” window squares (I used solids for these)

2.  Once your CW piece is made, we want to box it in with borders so it stands out on our bag.  Take the two solid 1” X 8” strips and sew one to the top and one to the bottom of the CW piece.  Repeat with the 1” X 9” strips to each side of CW piece.

3.  From the outer fabric, take 7.5” X 9” piece and sew to the top of CW piece. Then, sew the 2.5” X 9” piece to the bottom of CW piece.

4. Next, sew 5” X 18” piece to the left of CW piece and then sew 18” X 18.5” piece on the right side of CW piece. The outside of your bag is finished.

5.  Take the 18” X 31.5” fusible fleece piece and iron on to the wrong side of the outside bag piece.

 
Straps:
1. Iron on the woven fusible interfacing pieces on the wrong side of each strap piece.

2. Fold one strap piece in half lengthwise to get a crease in the center. Open and fold each long side to center crease and then fold in half lengthwise.  Topstitch to secure strap.  Repeat with second strap.

Pinning Straps:

1. Take your outside bag piece and lay flat.  On the top side measures 5” over from left and mark it.  Then, measure 12” over from the left and mark it.  Pin one strap at those two marks, making sure your strap does not get twisted.  (I like to have my two topstitching marks on my straps facing towards the center of the two marks. Repeat with the right side of bag.  Baste straps in place using a ¼” seam allowance.

Assembling Bag:

1. With right sides together match one of the 31 1/2” sides of the lining and outside pieces. Sew using a ½” seam allowance. Press seam toward lining.

2. Fold lengthwise in half as shown. Pin all 3 sides. Using a ½” seam allowance, sew all 3 sides leaving a 2”-3” opening in the lining for turning.

3. Trim corners being careful not to cut through stitching. Turn right side out through opening in lining and push out corners.

4. Stitch the lining opening closed. Push the lining into the quilted section of bag.


5. Press the top edge of bag and topstitch ⅛”and ¼” from the top edge of bag.

Your Cathedral Windows Tote Bag is finished!! Enjoy! Don’t forget to add your photos to the Flickr Group for a chance to win awesome prizes or Link up below!