Sunbeam Tote

The Eleventh Tutorial of Christmas

The perfect size to hold books and small toys!

Finished size: 8 inches wide x 10 inches tall

Materials Needed:

1/2 Yard fabric for outer, and 1/2 yard fabric for inside lining

Iron-on interfacing

1 inch Velcro

Ribbon or Ric-Rac trim

Sewing Machine

Pins

Scissors

Matching thread

Step 1: Cut out the pieces.

From outer fabric cut the following:

Outside of Tote: 21" x 9" (cut 1)

Handles: 14" x 2 1/2" (cut 2)

Closure: 3" x 7" (cut 1)

Pocket: 8" x 9" (cut 1)

From lining fabric cut the following:

Tote Lining: 21" x 9" (cut 1)
Handles: 14" x 2 1/2" (cut 2)
Closure: 3" x 7" (cut 1)

From iron-on interfacing cut the following:

Tote Lining: 21" x 9" (cut 1)

Handles: 14" x 2 1/2" (cut 2)

Closure: 3" x 7" (cut 1)

Step 2: Iron the interfacing to each lining piece.

Step 3: create the pocket.

Fold the top edge of the 9" side of the pocket down 1/2", and then again 1/2" and sew across.

Cut a 9 1/2 inch piece of ribbon or trim and sew it 1/4" down from the top of the pocket, hiding the seam you just made.

Zig-zag or serge across the bottom of the pocket.

Press the bottom of the pocket under 1/2" and pin it to the outside of the tote so that the top of the pocket is positioned 3 inches down from the top of the tote. Sew a seam across the bottom of the pocket.

Step 4: Create the handles and velcro closure.

Place right sides of closure together (1 lining and one outer fabric) and sew a 1/2" seam around the outside edge, leaving one end open, and curving the other as shown below.
Cut the excess off the curve, and clip the fabric every 1/4 inch along the curve.

Turn the closure right side out and sew a 2 inch piece of velcro on the lining side of the closure.

Sew a top-stitch around the closure flap.

Place right sides of handles together (1 lining, 1 outer fabric) and sew a 1/2" seam down each long side.

Turn right side out, iron flat, and sew a top stitch along each long side.

Step 5: sew the lining.

Fold lining in half, and sew a 1/2" seam down each side.

Step 6: Sew the outside of the tote.

Iron a 2" x 3" piece of interfacing centered on the reverse side of the front (pocket side) of the tote, and 1 inch down from the top.

Sew the reverse side velcro centered on the front of the tote, and 1 1/2" down from the top.

Pin and sew the handles and velcro closure to the tote with a 1/4" seam. The handles should be set 1 inch away from each edge, and the velcro closure should be centered on the back. (make sure they will be facing the right way once they are sewn on) See picture below.

Fold the tote in half and sew down each side in the same way that you sewed the lining. (keep the handles and closure flap tucked inside, but be careful not to sew over them.)

Step 7: Sewing in the lining, and finishing the tote.

Turn the lining right side out (so the interfacing is on the inside) and insert it into the outside of the tote. (the right sides should be facing each other)

Lining up the side seams, and making sure the handles are straight, pin around the top.

Sew a 1/2 inch seam around the top that you just pinned, leaving a 3 inch opening to turn it right side out.

Through the opening, carefully turn the tote right side out.

Push the lining inside the tote, and sew a top stitch around the top, closing the 3 inch opening.

Finished!

Perfect for my little Sunbeam!

He's so excited to take it to church with his new scriptures!

This would go great with the travel pillow idea. Fill this with some fun car activities, snacks and toys, and you will make ANY little one's day!

Travel Pillow

The Tenth Tutorial of Christmas

This is the easiest tutorial yet, so if you have been scared to try some of the past ones, this one is for you. And you Amy! :)

Materials needed:

1/2 Yard fabric

(I used flannel, other fun options: minky, fleece, or fun cotton print)

Matching thread

Pattern

Pollyester fiberfill

Scissors

Sewing machine

( This pattern should fill a full 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper when printed)

Step 1: Pin pattern on the fold of fabric and cut 2.
Step 2: Sew a 1/2 inch seam around the outside of the pillow, leaving a 4 inch opening at the top. Clip around the edge of your pillow every 1/2 inch close to the seam without cutting it.

Step 3: Turn the pillow right side out and stuff it with fiberfill (stuff it until it is firm, but still holds it's shape).

If you have a little helper, be prepared to work extra fast through this step.Faster!
Seriously Mom! Keep up! :)

Step 4: Fold in the edges of the opening 1/2 inch and sew it shut.

Giving it as a gift? You could make a cute travel bag for a little kid, including some books, coloring book and colored pencils, snacks, I spy game, etch-a-sketch, a toy car or truck or doll for a girl, anything that entertains.... the possibilities are endless.

I have to share these funny photos of my boy! I tried to take pictures of him wearing his pillow around his neck, but couldn't catch him sleeping when I had my camera with me, so he being the great kid he is, told me that he would just pretend to sleep.

This is how he slept before he had his pillow!

This is after!

(His smile kind of gives it away that he isn't really sleeping.)

BAHAHA! He's such a funny kid! But it really does hold his head up in a MUCH better position!

NOTE: this is a children's size pillow. To make it to fit an adult, make the pattern 1 inch bigger on each side, keeping the neck opening the same.