I love flat quarters (FQs)! 378 square inches of pure goodness. (That's 18 times 21...yeah, I used a calculator for that!)
Sometimes called quarter flats, or even fat quarters...but who wants to talk about fat? We're here to have fun, no?
There are hundreds of fabrics and colors to choose from, and the size is perfect for no-waste projects that take no time to make! Over time I have collected dozens of patterns for FQs- some I've designed, some I've actually made, and many more that other craftier souls have devised. So I've been thinking it would be fun to share one each month on the blog!
Just barely squeezing in for January, here's a tutorial to make a handy little tote bag- great for carrying a project to a friend's house.
You will need 1 FQ of fabric and matching thread. Cut a strip from one end measuring 4" x 21" (or 22" if you're lucky!).
Cut this in half to make 2 4" x 10.5" handle pieces.
For the handles, press lengthwise down the middle, wrong sides together. Press each long edge in toward center crease to encase edges.
Stitch the handles close to the side edge. Stitch the sides of the bag (and bottom, if necessary).
For French seams with no raw edges exposed inside the bag, stitch WRONG sides together with a very small (1/8") seam. Then turn inside out, press seams flat, and stitch sides again with 1/4"-3/8" seam.
Love the finished seams...tres chic!
To box the bottom corners, line the side seam up with the bottom center crease (or seam if you have one.) Mark a line and stitch across, however deep you want the sides of the bag to be. Mine are 3".
Picture is upside down! Bottom corners are boxed. Turn top of bag about 1 1/4" to wrong side, then turn under a scant 1/4" hem and press. Stitch top hem of bag.
For pleats, mark bag 3" and 4" in from either side. Fold toward center of bag. Pin in place.
Turn under end of handle and pin in place over pleat.
Pin other end of handle in place over the facing pleat. Make sure handle is not twisted- if the stitching is on the inside edge of the handle on the left, it should also be on the inside edge on the right. (Does that make sense?) Machine stitch, being careful to catch all layers.
The finished bag. Cute and handy! To stabilize the bottom, I cut a piece of thick cardboard the same dimension as the bottom of the bag- about 3" x 9.25". Covering the cardboard (or plastic canvas) bottom with fabric is a nice finishing touch.
And don't let the petite size fool you. There are 2 skeins of yarn in there!
Ah love it!
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