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10.13

the sweet scallops tote pattern

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You asked for it, you got it! A FREE PATTERN from the studio of see kate sew! The Sweet Scallops Tote Pattern is hot off the press!

I’m so thrilled with this cute little tote. It’s just so happy.

This is a great project for indecisive fabric chooser (like me!). You get to use up to 9 different prints!
sweet scallops tote instructions

Sweet Scallops Tote Pattern Materials:

  • 1/2 yard home decor weight fabric
  • 1/2 yard quilting weight cotton for lining
  • 1/4 yard of 7 different quilting weight prints or solids

Create the Scalloped Tote

Let’s start with the fun part! For the scallops, raid your fabric stash for 7 prints and/or solids that look good together. Then print out the free pattern pieces. Cut out the scallop pieces and tape them together along the dotted line.

Cut out TWO scallop chains of each print.
Pin together, right sides together.

Sew the bottom edge at 1/4.” Leave the straight top part open.

 Clip and notch the curves to get rid of some of the bulk.
Then turn and press.
Make six more of these…
Now we’ll sew them to the front of your bag. Cut out two exterior and two lining pieces using the guide on your pattern pieces. Grab  one of the exterior pieces.
Optional: Sew a little strip of fabric to the bottom of your bag. This will add another pop of color where the scallops don’t cover. If you want the exterior fabric to show through, you can skip this part.

Now stack your scallops. The scallop pieces is longer than the bag’s front, so you can vary the placement back and forth.

Arrange them kinda like this:

For the top piece, press under 1/2″ and pin about 4 inches below the top of the bag. I didn’t pin all the scallops down until I was happy with the placement.
Now pin them to the bag at the top of each scallop to preserve your placement.
Lift the top ones up and sew, starting at the bottom. Zig zag stitch all the way across the top of each scallop piece.

Like this!

Top stitch the very top one at about 1/8″.

Now turn your piece over and trim the edges of the scallops to line up with the bag.
assemble bag
Lay your lining piece on top of the front piece, with right sides together. Sew it at 3/8″.
Press the seam allowance toward the lining and stitch on the top of the lining at 1/8″.
Repeat for the back. Then stack the two pieces together, right sides together and pin all the way around.

Sew all the way around the outsides of the lining and outer pieces, leaving a 4″ hole at the bottom of the lining.

Turn right side out and press.


Press the opening closed and stitch it up.

Now your bag is finished! We just need to add the handles!

handles
Cut out your handle pieces based on the cutting guide in your pattern piece file. Fold over and press 1/2″ on each long edge of the strap. Then press in half.

Fold it in half like this. Pin in place.

Topstitch both sides all the way up.

Fold over the bottom edge about 2″ and pin onto your bag, about 2″ in from the sides.

Sew a square around the end of the handle and repeat for the other side.

That’s it you’re done!

So what do you think? Do you love it? Think you can do it?
 

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Reader Interactions

57 Comments

  1. Amanda

    I LOVE this! I don’t think I can do it right away as I just bought my sewing machine and haven’t even gotten to use it yet! But I will do this once I feel confident!

  2. Trina Curran

    That is precious! I see some Christmas presents to make out of some of the vintage fabric I have. :) Thanks for sharing this!

  3. tai

    I am in love. I think you live in my brain and dig around for stuff that you know I will like and then create it. Which saves me tons of time by the way! So Thanks! I will be printing this shortly! :)

  4. Cherished Bliss

    I love it so much! You are so creative : ) When I move at the end of the month and set up my craft room, this will be the first thing I make! I’m having sewing withdraws since I am supposed to be packing and not dragging all my stuff out…hehe

  10. Katy

    Oh my goodness this is so cute! Thanks so much, you are awesome! Pinning to my to do list (:

  11. Teri

    I am raiding my fabric closet as soon as I post this comment! Love this bag!!!!!

  13. Sofia's Ideas

    Oh, Kate! It’s just so lovely! But shall I attempt it? Well, with the extraordinary photos in this tutorial? Yes, I think I shall! Thank you so much for this pattern! Love it!

  15. Anonymous

    This is super cute! And the layered scallops could also be easily adapted to an adorable apron!

  19. April

    kate! this is totally precious :) i adore it!

    i want to sign up for the sew along & create it using my sling bag design {with the boxed bottom, adjustable tie straps} and was wondering if i could add it to my shop if i credit you with the scallop pattern?

  21. kate

    No April, this tutorial is intended for personal use only! (Just like all the tutorials you’ll find on this site.) Thank you for respecting that!

    Kate

  29. Katie

    This is awesome!! Such a great tutorial!! Once I can conquer anything besides straight lines on the sewing maching I’ll have to try these scallops out! Love them!

  33. elnorac

    Whooohooo! Great little tote and a fun sew-along! Can’t join you right now, but I’ll definitely watch others’ posts!

  34. Michelle

    Love it! Definitely have to make. Thanks for sharing the pattern and incredibly detailed tute that makes even a novice like myself feel confident in trying this.

  35. Jessica K. Stelling

    Oh Sweet Scallops Tote- You are in my dreams- so weird! Today I woke up thinking of you, imagining your scallopy goodness in my hands, shopping on my arm, looking cool. Today may be the day I give you a try. Wish me luck ladies, wish me luck! I only mastered bibs yesterday! : ) Jess

  36. Jessica K. Stelling

    Oh Sweet Scallops Tote- You are in my dreams- so weird! Today I woke up thinking of you, imagining your scallopy goodness in my hands, shopping on my arm, looking cool. Today may be the day I give you a try. Wish me luck ladies, wish me luck! I only mastered bibs yesterday! : ) Jess

  37. TooMuchTime

    I have fallen in love with this bag. I went to the fabric store and began to work on it as soon as was possible. So I made it! I love love love it! Now I just need to find the perfect outfit to match it :)

  38. Susunna

    Вау! Я хочу такую сумочку! Я к лету ее сделаю! Спасибо тебе! ;)
    sunny-susunny.blogspot.com

  40. nicole jane

    I can’t wait! I’ve pinned it so I won’t lose it! I’m not sure I understand the bit where you leave some hem before sewing on the lining, but maybe I can work it out (I’m a new sewer, so it could be a bit hit and miss) I also tried downloading the free pattern but it wouldn’t let me. Is there any other way to get a copy?

  43. lubbygirl

    I really like this idea for the scraps. I have one ENTIRE box of just scraps. I think, though, that I will add pockets to the inside. I HAVE to have pockets in a purse or tote…one of my quirks. LOL Thanks for sharing this – just found it today via allfreesewing.com.

  44. Ki'ihele

    I think this is my favorite pattern for a bag EVER! This is so cute. I have a ton of scraps and can’t wait to have the time to make this one. The tute is very clear and concise. I might have to add pockets as well, but that’s an easy chore. Mahalo nui loa.

  46. Julianne Emery

    this was my goal for the weekend and wow success. great tut great pattern and now a great library bag for me …it will be perfect and super cute

  47. Julianne Emery

    this was my goal for the weekend, and it’s great I made the pattern for the scallops longer and added them to both sides. thanks for the inspiration.

  48. Nancy Erskine

    HELP! I’m SO wanting to make this bag but cannot find the actual pattern pieces. I click on where it says to and I get some Google garbage. Could anyone PLEASE email me the pieces? THANK YOU
    Nancy

    NancyMtnMama@sbcglobal.net Just put pattern pieces in the subj line! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

  50. Kimberley

    I am definately going to do this!!
    I cant wait to get my pretty fabrics together!
    Thank you for great tutorial

  51. Anonymous

    I cannot open the pattern pieces, it takes me to a Google page or something. I want to make this bag, how do I get the pattern pieces?

  52. sarah jones

    Thanks so much for this it is beautiful and has given me hours of enjoyment:)

  53. Monica Diaz

    Hi you tote is so cool, can you explained how you sew the square around the handle, Im a beginner and I dont know, how sew without close the tote, thanks a lot!

  54. Monica Diaz

    the tote is so cool, can you explain how you sew the square around the handle, Im a beginner and I dont know how I can sew without close the tote, thanks

    • kate

      just fold the raw edge over on the strap. Then pin the strap to the bag about 1.5″ down and sew all the way around, from the top of the bag, to the bottom of the strap. Good luck! :)

  56. cathy

    This is my new favorite way to use up scraps. No zippers or elastic or other notions to buy, no complicated steps that make my head hurt, a project that helps me stashbust quickly, and best of all perfect practical gifts for my friends!