Caravan Tote Sew Along Day 2

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Welcome to Day 2 of the Caravan Tote Sew Along.  Today we'll cut all our materials and prepare the handles.  Check out Day 1 to get started and learn about fabric and interfacing selection. You can purchase the PDF from the Noodlehead shop, and use code HOSAL at checkout to save 20%. I also noticed that you can get a kit including the paper pattern and fabric from Craftsy, on sale right now, save 35%.

Getting Started

By now you should have your pattern and materials selected. If you're using a PDF, you'll need to print at least the flap and pocket pieces, plus the pouch if you're making that too. I prefer to use my quilting ruler and rotary cutter to cut all my rectangles, but if you don't like to measure those pieces and prefer pattern pieces, then print those out as well. You might find it easiest to print out the instructions, or if you're like me, you just read from your tablet or phone. After you've printed what you need, cut them out and now it's time to get started. I'll be honest: cutting is my least favourite part of the whole bag making process. I find it tedious and when I'm so excited to get sewing a bag, it slows me right down.
one way I've found to speed up the process is to cut my interfacing first, then I can fuse it to my fabric; this allows me to skip the extra step of tracing onto my fabric.

I found if you put the straight edges of the flap and pocket pieces together, you can reduce waste. You can't do this with your fabric if it's directional though.  Another note about cutting your fabrics: the measurements are listed as HEIGHT by WIDTH.

Even though my exterior fabric is heavier than a quilting cotton weight, I'm going with a layer of Craft Fuse on top of my fusible woven interfacing. I just prefer the extra body. I'll also be using a layer of fusible fleece, and I'll chat about that shortly.

Not all pieces in the pattern are interfaced, so you can use already cut pieces as whole pattern pieces instead of cutting on the fold. I like to use markers to trace. I find they write easily and its in the seam allowance, so won't be seen.

There are a lot of rectangles in this pattern and it can be hard to keep things straight. I like to write directly on the back of my pieces with a fabric pen.

Go ahead and cut all your fabric and interfacing. Fuse the woven interfacing to the exterior pieces plus the zippered pocket lining, pocket and flap, and handles if you haven't already. If you're using the medium weight interfacing, you can fuse those pieces over top of the woven interfacing on the contrast top and main exterior. If you want even more body to the bag, you can add a layer of medium weight interfacing and/or fusible fleece (or batting) to the lining. Cut 2 pieces of fleece the same size as the large lining piece - we'll fuse these pieces once the lining has been constructed a bit more, so just set them aside for now. If you're also making the pouch, you can add a layer of fleece to the lining to be fused later.

Handles

There are so many ways to make your handles unique. You can follow the directions in the pattern to have a single fabric handle, use cotton webbing (I like the natural cotton webbing for a rustic look), or how about the leather handles from the Noodlehead shop? Another way to make your handles is by using two different fabrics; here's how:

Start by cutting 2 each of 2.25" by 25" in both fabrics.

Place each mixed pair right sides together and sew one long edge of each pair. Open and press seam to one side.

Continue as in the pattern: Press long raw edges toward center seam.

If you want to add padding to your handles, place a 1" wide strip of fleece or batting inside a crease, and press back in place. Then fold again, matching folded edges. Topstitch along both long edges.

If you decide to add fleece to your strap, cut the fleece from your ends before you sew them in, this keeps extra bulk out of the seam allowance. To topstitch the strap, and anything else, I like to use a longer stitch length. You may also choose to add extra parallel rows of topstitching.

Now set aside all your pretties and check back again in a few days :)

I'd love to see your progress! Tag me and use #CaravanToteSAL on Instagram. 

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions, or suggestions. Do you have any tips to cut down on prep time? Favorite ways to make handles? Let us know!

To enter to win the Noodlehead patterns, submit a photo of your completed bag by July 3, either by uploading it on my contact page, or using #CaravanToteSAL on Instagram by July 3, 2016.