Button Up Tiny Tote

Check out this free tote bag pattern to make your own DIY tote bags that are unlike any other. This Button Up Tiny Tote from Melony Bradley differs from regular bags because of its all button handle and fabric strips body. Creating this homemade tote is so much fun. After you’re through making it, you'll love "toting" this bag around and showing off your sewing skills. There's no point in sticking with typical purse designs when you can rock a look that's playful and exciting.

Materials:

• Fabric scraps
• Buttons Galore and More Buttons
• Wire
• Sewing machine
• Glue
• Pliers
• Stamp (optional)
• Solvent ink (optional)
• Iron
• Hole punch

Instructions:

1. Pin together two of the fabric strips and use sewing machine and some black thread to sew the pieces together.
   
   
    
2. Continue in the same fashion until your strips make one nicely sized piece of fabric that can be cut to form the front and back of the little tote. You can also use some free form stitching (see the yellow strip) to add a little whimsy.
    
3. Add a stamped sentiment to some of the strips that are solids. You can use solvent ink and set it with an iron on a medium setting (no steam).
   
   
    
4. Determine the desired size of your finished totes and add a 1/2" seam allowance on all sides. So if you want your tote to be, say, 5 1/2" x 7", cut your pieces to 6 1/2" by 8" using a self healing cutting mat and rotary cutter. Join the pieces together, wrong sides out.
    
5. Once the bag is sewn, use the iron to steam the seams open and turned it right side out.
   
   
    
6. Glue buttons to tote.
   
   
    
7. For the handle, thread the buttons onto a piece of wire.
   
   
   
8. Attach the handle by punching holes with a heavy duty hole punch, punching right through the fabric layers.
    
9. Wired handle with pliers. You can use round nosed beading pliers to curl the sharp edges inward and secure the handle.