Hit the road with a roomy pleated tote that's perfect for a long weekend or last minute road trip. Stow your camera, cell phone, cosmetic bag and other essentials in the handy interior pocket.

PLEASE NOTE: In the instructions originally printed in the Feb/March Sew News, we omitted directives for the front panel to match the lining trapezoids. We regret the error. Please see the corrections below in italics.

Supplies

• 1/2 yard of mediumweight main fabric (fabric A)
• 2 yards of lining and inner pleat fabric (fabric B)
• 1/2 yard of upper border fabric (fabric C)
• 1/2 yard of strap fabric (fabric D)
• 1/2 yard of interior pocket fabric (fabric E)
• 2 yards of heavyweight fusible interfacing or fusible fleece
• Magnetic clasp
• Removable fabric marker

Use 1/2" seam allowances unless otherwise noted.

Cut

From fabric A, cut four 11"x15" rectangles.

From fabric B, cut two 15" squares and two 5"x22" rectangles. Cut two 20" (height) x16"x26" trapezoid linings and one 10"x19"(width)x26" trapezoid pocket (1).

From fabric C, cut two 5"x20" rectangles.

From fabric D, cut two 5"x28" straps.

From fabric E, cut one pocket.

From the interfacing, cut two 15"x35" rectangles, two 5"x20" rectangles, two 2 1/2"x28" strips, two 5"x22" rectangles, two linings and one pocket.

Construct

Position one 2 1/2"x28" interfacing strip over one fabric D strap wrong side, 1/2" from one long edge. Fuse, following the manufacturer's instructions. Fold the strap long edges 1/2" toward the wrong side; press. Fold the strap in half lengthwise; press. Edgestitch each long edge. Repeat to stitch the remaining strap.

To create the first tote panel, position one fabric A rectangle and one fabric B square with right sides together, aligning one 15" edge; stitch. Press open the seam. With right sides together, stitch one fabric A rectangle along the fabric B square opposite edge. Press open the seam.

Fuse one 15"x35" interfacing rectangle to the panel. Evenly trim the edges.

Fold the front panel in half widthwise to find the center; mark along the upper edge. Fold the panel upper edge with right sides together, abutting the seams at the center mark; press. Baste the pleat (2).

Position each end of one strap along the panel upper edge, 3 1/2" from the panel center mark and with the strap pointing downward. Pin, and then baste each strap end (3). Trim the front panel side edges on the diagonal to match the lining trapezoid.

Fuse each corresponding 5"x20" interfacing rectangle to each fabric C rectangle. Position one fabric C rectangle right side down along the panel upper edge, sandwiching the strap. Stitch the upper edge (4). Press the seam allowance and strap upward.

Topstitch the fabric C rectangle lower edge. Trim the fabric C rectangle side edges on the diagonal to continue the panel side edges.

Repeat to stitch the remaining panel.

With right sides together, stitch the tote panel side edges (5).

Fuse each corresponding 5"x22"interfacing rectangle to each fabric B rectangle. Mark the center along each fabric B rectangle short edge.

With right sides together, position one fabric B rectangle along the tote lower edge, aligning the short-end center marks with the tote side seams; pin. Stitch, pivoting the tote 90° at each corner. Clip the corners and turn the tote right side out.

Fuse the corresponding interfacing rectangle to the fabric B pocket. With right sides together, stitch the fabric B and fabric E pockets along the upper edge. Turn the pocket to the right side; press. Edgestitch the pocket upper edge.

Fold the pocket in half widthwise to find the center. Draw a line down the pocket center using a removable fabric marker. Position the pocket right side up over one lining, aligning the side and lower edges; pin. Stitch over the center line.

Fold each lining in half widthwise to find the center. Measure and mark each lining center 1" below the upper edge to denote the snap placement. Install the magnetic snap pieces, following the manufacturer's instructions.

With right sides together, stitch the lining side edges.

With right sides together, position the remaining fabric B rectangle along the lining lower edge, aligning the short-end center marks with the tote side seams; pin. Stitch, pivoting the tote 90° at each corner. Leave a 4" opening along one long edge for turning.

Stitch the remaining fabric B rectangle to the lining lower edge (following the directions above for attaching the first rectangle to the tote), leaving a 4"-opening on one long edge for turning.

Finish

Position the tote inside the lining with right sides together, matching the upper edges and side seams; pin. Make sure the straps are tucked between the layers. Stitch the bag upper edge. Trim the seam allowance and turn the bag right side out through the lining opening.

Hand stitch the lining opening closed. Tuck the lining into the tote. Press the tote upper edge; edgestitch.

TOUGH TOTE: Use plastic cross-stitching canvas to add extra stability to the tote. Cut one base and two linings from the canvas. Roll the canvas pieces and insert them through the lining opening after turning the tote right side out.

USER COMMENTS

suzzyqlovesu2

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lol

I couldn't believe someone actually published this article without proofing it first. I ordered this magazine and was VERY disappointed. I canceled the subscription. I'm glad I looked at the directions before cutting, and though "well this isn't right". If I were the publisher I'd be awaiting some very angry posts, Something tells me A LOT of people didn't bother to check measurements first. Please consider putting more thought into your magazines, More tutorials,patterns,and pages, Less "helpful" tips. Leah it's a beautiful bag,and I'm sure you've done everything possible to correct the mistake, I appreciate it. I hope to see a lot of tutorials by you in the future of this magazine, perhaps then I'll buy again.

Feb 16, 2010 at 02:53 PM

bethbee

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Re: Red Alert

Email us at sewnews@sewnews.com for the templates, or follow this link: http://sewspoiled.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/sew-spoiled-weekender-travel-tote-3-templates.pdf.

Feb 15, 2010 at 09:46 AM

colandco

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no help

After my red alert I was like a kid waiting for help. HA , That was a joke. I am so unhappy with this project. I will think twice before I do another project by Leah. Thanks for the NO HELP

Feb 13, 2010 at 10:25 AM

sewbuggie

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Red alert

I have spent sew much time reading and re-reading the instruction. I am sew stuck on toe panel when I attach the 3 pieces and sew the pleat my bottom is not lining up, I do not see a templet. please help ASAP

Feb 11, 2010 at 07:29 PM

sewspoiled

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Hi

I have sent you a file Momoisme.

Feb 07, 2010 at 03:41 PM

momoisme

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HELP

Please send updated (easy) instructions for the tote bag, PLEASE ASAP!!!! momoisme@aol.com

Feb 06, 2010 at 09:44 AM

brandyjojo

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Tote Bag

Like mjb913, I have sewn for years and had a very difficult time with this. I looked on the website to see if there were corrections and and there are. Fabric and fuseable fleece aren't cheap. I am not going to start over after cutting out 15" pieces instead of 19" pieces. I will make something out of what I have. BUMMER!

Feb 05, 2010 at 03:31 PM

momoisme

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tote bag

I am an avid sewer and these instructions are very confusing....For some reason, I can't get the #2 example to work. I know it is probably a simple thing but I am having a real brain F t....HELP

Feb 04, 2010 at 12:58 PM

sewspoiled

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Hi,

All you need on your computer to read the templates is Adobe Reader and you can download it at http://get.adobe.com/reader/ for free. Best Wishes, ~Leah

Feb 02, 2010 at 07:03 PM

lgc45381

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weekender tote

I had cut out a pattern by the instructions. Now is read they are wrong. I cannot get the template address to come up. what am I doing wrong or is there another program I need on my computer. Linda

Feb 02, 2010 at 01:09 PM

sewspoiled

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Lost

Hi, The rectangle shapes are correct (online and in the magazine). The only measurement that should have been changed is the top of the pocket. It should measure 19" across. The step that was left out is at #2 in the directions. After you baste the pleat you must cut the bottom shape of the bag. If you have printed out the templates, use pleat template to get this shape at #2. Continue with #3 to #5. At #5, use the “outer shell and lining template” to cut the Weekender Tote shape. This is just to insure that they are the same size and will line up at the end. So if you have cut out your fabric using the original instructions the only wrong piece you have is the pocket. I am not sure why they have changed the #1 measurement. Use the templates!!! I hope this helps! Happy sewing! ~Leah

Feb 01, 2010 at 12:59 PM

annlau

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I am Lost!

I have printed out the templates and cannot correlate these to the instructions. Have the instructions been re-written? Also, it appears to me that all the fabric Ihave previously cut for the original measurements are wasted and I do not have sufficient fabric to re-cut. Is that correct?

Feb 01, 2010 at 09:08 AM

mjb913

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The mystery is solved!!!

With some info from Leah, the mystery is solved. Too cool of a tote not to get it figured out, thanks sooooo much Leah, great look!!

Jan 31, 2010 at 07:47 PM

sewspoiled

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Hi MJ,

Thank you for your email. I sent you some information. I hope everything is better now. :) If anyone else needs help just let me know. ~Leah

Jan 31, 2010 at 07:27 PM

mjb913

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A nightmare that didn't need to be!

I have sewn for nearly 50 years and this pattern instructions take the cake. There was no reason for this to be this way. My daughter, a beginner, and I wanted to make these together and I kept saying, "Something is wrong!" Alas, there was a lot wrong. Please in the future, try your pattern with the measurements and directions that you give, and then maybe this won't happen.

Jan 31, 2010 at 11:43 AM

sewspoiled

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Mistakes

Hi All, You are correct the dimensions noted in the cutting instructions are not correct. The correct templates are here, http://sewspoiled.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/sew-spoiled-weekender-travel-tote-3-templates.pdf. All you will need to do it is print it out, cut on the lines and tape it together to have a full size template! I do hope you do give this bag a try. It is a lot of fun to make! Happy Sewing! ~Leah Williams

Jan 30, 2010 at 10:15 AM

SewOnAndSoOn

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RE: MIstakes in the pattern instructions

I found the same mistakes that dawnb did. In fact, I thought the instructions as a whole were confusing, and I made a quite a few adjustments to make the pieces fit. I love the bag itself, though, and it's VERY roomy.

Jan 29, 2010 at 09:44 PM

dawnb

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Mistakes in the pattern instructions

I am curious about how the other commentators assembled this bag, as I have found a major error in the assembly instructions. Once you attach the Fabric C strip to the pleated rectangle, the tote is now 20" tall. The lining piece for the inside measures only 15" tall (see instructions for cutting Fabric B) My solution to this fit issue was to fold the upper strip in half and then attach the lining. (This makes the Fabric C strip 2.5 inches wide instead of 5. Be careful, though, because if you follow this instruction, "Trim the fabric C rectangle side edges on the diagonal to continue the panel side edges" before you make the foldover, you will not have enough fabric to to match the lining. Be sure to fold the Fabric C strip first, then cut the angle. Another approach might be to cut 4 fabric C strips and use two for additional lining, in order to keep the 5" width. Sewing News, please test your instructions, it would have saved me a lot of grief and extra fabric! Second big problem was the pocket. According to the instructions, you are to join the two sides of the pocket at the top, then attach the piece in a centered seam to the lining. Cutting the piece according to the dimensions noted in the cutting instructions, leaves you with a pocket piece with sides that are too short to be even with the edges of the lining. Instead, but the piece as 10x19x26 for the right fit.

Jan 26, 2010 at 12:56 PM

sheaf

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Terrific Size

This tote is a great size. I can't wait to make a few to keep in my car for shopping amd some to keep with my luggage while shopping on vacation! Keep the ideas coming. Please consider single month issues. Also online patterns in downloadable pdf form

Jan 26, 2010 at 07:39 AM

sewnso03

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Great tote for traveling

Can't wait to get started. Thanks for the pattern.

Jan 13, 2010 at 09:36 PM

blessed2adopt2

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Beautiful

This is a beautiful purse. It is very roomy and easy to tote.

Jan 13, 2010 at 03:19 PM

RCarol

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Tough Tote

love how to insert plastic canvas - will use on other projects

Dec 30, 2009 at 05:51 AM