Limited edition tote beach bag

Hello everyone.....what happened ? Here in Grenada,Caribbean I can only really buy couple of things,everything is imported from China,India ext. and the choice is really, really bad...in fabric store they don't even sell cotton;just one kind not to good they ....but rather than that i really love it here!!!!
And another thing is that things here get really expensive;it's the Caribbean.Sun & fun but you got to pay for it!!!
What i did here is really simple tote bag u got to try it!
Here is pattern and instructions how to make it ...hope i made it clear,and please if anything is not clear feel free to contact me!

Making a bag is really a lot easier than you think!

Supplies:

• sewing machine
• iron & ironing board
• scissors
• straight pins

Fabric:

• ½ yard for outer
• ½ yard for lining
• ¾ yard by 10 inches for straps
• ribbon, 18" long
• 1/2 yard to 1 yard fusible interfacing

Legend:

Preparation

CUT PATTERN PIECES AND INTERFACE FABRIC

Determine how big you want your finished Jordy Bag to be. The dimensions shown in this pattern make a bigger tote about 18 1/2 inches by 14 1/2 inches with a 4 1/2 inch bottom, but you can modify the pattern to make any size you want. The size of your square bottom will be double the length of the square cut out of the bottom, minus your seam allowances.

If you make your own pattern, remember to add a seam allowance to all sides of your pattern pieces. I usually use a 1/4” to a ½” seam allowance.

A Word About Interfacing...

MAKING YOUR JORDY BAG STRONGER

Interfacing is a type of papery or woven fabric that will give your Jordy Bag structure. You can buy fusible or sew-in. I like to work with fusible interfacing because it’s a quick and easy and works well for this type of bag. But you can use whatever you are most comfortable with.
If your fusible interfacing comes with directions, follow them. But generally, you want to use a hot steamy iron (on the non-sticky side!) to fuse the interfacing to the back of your fabric pieces. Make sure your fabric is thick enough to withstand this type of heat or you might burn or melt it.
Interface any pieces that need more structure or stiffness. The amount of stiffness will depend on the thickness and type of interfacing you’ve chosen to use. The places that need it the most are the straps, outer body of the bag and anything that has stress points, like pieces with pockets or closures.

Press And Sew The Straps

Straps are really simple. I prefer this method over sewing an inside out tube and turning it right side out - especially if you’re interfacing them... and I do recommend interfacing your straps - they will lie flat and look nice for longer.

1. Press in a ½” on both sides of the strap lengthwise
2. Fold the strap in half lengthwise so the pressed in parts meet and press again
3. Top stitch ¼” on both sides (contrasting

   Appliqués, Pockets, And Closures

   (OPTIONAL)

   If you’re going to do any decoration on the outside of your bag, put in any pockets or closures do it at this point. This Jordy Bag pattern is a basic tote that closes with a tied ribbon and doesn’t have any pockets, so pockets and other closures will not be shown here.
   Here are instructions for a simple appliqué:Interface (fusible) a scrap piece of fabric and trace and cut out your appliqué piece. You can also use fusible webbing - it’s sticky on both sides so your appliqué won’t move around on you while you stitch. Otherwise pin your appliqué to the fabric (you can also use spray adhesive if you really want it to stick, but beware - this might make your needle sticky).
   Starting from the bottom piece, stitch around your shape with a large, narrow zigzag stitch. The stitches should be fairly close together and should cover the raw edge of the appliqué. When you get to a corner, turn and overlap the stitches (see image).
   You can simply backstitch when you get to the end of your appliqué, or if you want a sharper look, end your last stitch where your first stitch began and pull the top threads through to the back and tie a knot to  thread looks great on straps)

   Basic Construction

   The next step is to stitch the straps and the ribbon closure to the outer body of the bag. First pin the straps to the outside of your bag at equal distances from the sides. It’s a good idea to try your bag on at this point and see if the straps are in a comfortable position. Then secure them by stitching twice along the top of the bag.
   Take care to stay inside your seam allowance so these stitches do not show in the end. Also be sure that your straps lie flat and line up with each other on the front and back pieces before you stitch them down.
   
   Stitch together side and bottom seams of outer and lining fabrics.
   Press the seams out flat.
   

   Sewing The Square Bottom

   To make the square bottom, pinch together the corners of the fabric, as shown(1,2). Then stitch the corner closed (3). Do this to both corners of your outer fabric, but only one corner of your lining. You’ll need this hole to turn the bag out later.
   
   

   Sew The Inside To The Outside

   ALMOST FINISHED!

   Turn the lining right side out and put it inside outer bag so that the right sides of the lining are facing the right sides of the outer fabric. Your side seams should line up. Pin and stitch all the way around the top of the bag, making sure to stitch lower than where you attached your straps.
   

   Pull the lining out of the outer fabric and press this seam towards the outer fabric. Next you have to turn the bag right side out through the hole that is left in the lining. Just be patient and gentle and try not to rip the fabric.

   

   Finishing Touches

   

   To close the hole in the lining, press in ½” and top stitch.
   

   Fit the lining inside the bag. Press the top of the bag so that the two fabrics sit nicely together. Pin all the way around the top and top stitch the outer fabric to the lining (a double top stitch looks nice here).

   And that’s it! Fill your bag with your favourite things and get ready to show it off.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Melt it ,and use brush to applay on fabric
   
   
   
   Help yourself with stencils, tape or what ever shape you want to apply,dye to your bag!I did this bag with tape becouse i wanted straight lines/stripes
   
   
   
   Once i tape my fabric I apply hot wax to it
   
   
   
   Do this for every peace of your fabric pattern
   
   
   
   
   
   Pockets,handles,lining,exterior 
   
   
   
   for pocket i used someones brand name BELZEB,is my wonderful friend who does natural cosmetics.... so i copy it on a see trough paper and then cut it out,and brush in wax trough it on a fabric
   
   When u wax all the parts of fabric ,that u want them to stay in original color,in my case this is white canvas,then you will need dye in desired color.No u don t deep fabric but u paint on the non waxed parts.Take the tape,stancil ext. off at this point!
   
   
   
   Color fabric
   
   It will not go trough wax,these will stay in original fabric color .It looks kind of messy and not so nice at this point,but carry on it's gonna look pretty in the end
   
   
   
   
   
   Mesure your distance if you want it to come out neet
   
   
   
   Taking off the tape is really easy & fun
   
   I mixed up the polaroids a little bit,but I want you to go trough all of them before you start working anyway
   This here is brushing in the wax
   
   Don t forget to dye the straps two.Do it all at once and then dry it;wash it;dry again
   
   That is when Mrs.Iron comes in the game
   I try all different techniques to get off the wax.
   One of them is boiling the water and then deep in the fabric well it worked out ok but it did not get all the wax out!
   Then i try to iron fabric in between two newspapers and yes that's the good way to start so paper takes in wax,but still i realize wax was not out completly,and then finally scary moment when i decided I'm gonna put my iron on the max and just iron directly.Let me not tell you how worried i was I'm gonna destroy the iron.Go ahead and do it; wax actually evaporates under hot iron.So i still do my first step with paper and then take the rest of the wax off directly pressing iron on fabric!!!
   
   Ironing is very important to keep your bag neet two,You don t want in the end to look like some 8 year old made it
   
   I'm now showing you some pictures of steps to final product 
   
   
   
   Iron Iron Iron make things look good!
   
   
   
   Sewing sides thogether
   
   
   
   
   
   Oh this is already finished product
   
   
   
   
   
   Pin around so it stays in place
   
   
   
   
   
   Pins are very important for the whole project 
   
   
   
   
   
   This is the step when the lining goes inside of exterior