SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- Fabric A: 1 1/2yds Cream Vinery
- Fabric B: 1 1/2yds Light Tan
- Fusible Midweight Interfacing 15"x 6yds
- Fusible Bonding Web Medium Weight 18"x 3yds
- Wooden tote handles
- Fabric glue
- 50 wooden clothespins
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Acrylic ruler
- Scissors
DIRECTIONS:
- For the front and back of your tote, cut nine 2 1/4"x 40" strips from Fabric A and eight 2 1/4"x 40" strips from Fabric B. Also, cut thirty-four 1/2"x 40" strips of fusible midweight interfacing and seventeen 1/2"x 40" strips of fusible bonding web.
- For the sides of your tote, cut two 2 1/4"x 48" strips from Fabric A and one 2 1/4"x 48" strip from Fabric B. Also, cut six 1/2"x 48" strips of fusible midweight interfacing and three 1/2"x 48" strips of fusible web.
- For the diagonal strips to weave your tote together, cut six 2 1/4"x 34" strips from Fabric A and six 2 1/4"x 34" strips from Fabric B. Also, cut twenty-four 1/2"x 34" strips from fusible midweight interfacing, twelve 1/2"x 33" strips of fusible bonding web, and twelve 1/2"x 1 1/2" strips of fusible bonding web.
- For each fabric strip, fuse one interfacing strip along each long edge to the wrong side of the fabric according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Once fused, fold the long edges in to meet at the center and press again.
- Place one strip of bonding web along one of the edges and fold the other edge on top. Fuse in place according to manufacturer's instructions. Repeat until all of your 40" fabric strips and 48" fabric strips are finished.
- For the 34" fabric strips, add your fusible interfacing on each long edge and then fold inward to meet at the center and press, as in steps two and three.
- Place a 1/2"x 1 1/2" cut of webbing so that it's flush with one of the short ends and centered. Fold the webbing and short end inward and fuse to create a clean hem.
- Then add the 33" webbing so that it's flush with one of the long edges and one of the short edges, fold the strip in half lengthwise, and fuse. This should leave one short end with a hem.
- Create a ring with your 34" strip by overlapping the ends so that the hemmed end is on top. Place a dot of fabric glue inside the overlap on each side and pinch together with a clothespin until dry. Repeat with each 34" strip by using the first one as your sizing template to keep your rings consistent.
- Place your 40" fused strips side-by-side on your work surface in an A,B pattern using your two different fabrics. These will make up the front and back sides of your tote. You need an odd number of these for your woven pattern to work.
- Weave one of the 48" strips in Fabric A over/under all the way across the 40" strips. Next, weave one of the 48" strips in Fabric B over/under all the way across the 40" strips. Finally, weave the last 48" strip in Fabric A over/under all the way across. These three strips should be centered midway on the 40" strips. These will make up the sides of your tote.
- Once your fabric rings are dry, remove clothespins. Start with a ring of Fabric B and weave the strips along the front side of your bag either over or under it. Move it all the way to the bottom. This will start your 3-dimensional shape. Keep weaving your fabric strips through your rings, alternating colors of rings, until you've woven all twelve rings. You'll have extra length on your front, back, and side strips. Adjust your rings so that the hems are hidden.
- Center one wooden handle on the front of the bag and mark which two strips will fit through the bottom of the handle. Repeat with the back side. Trim the remaining long strips sticking up to about 4" but leave the handle strips long.
- Fold the rest of the strips over the top ring and weave them down into the next ring below, either on the inside or outside of the bag. Add a drop of fabric glue and clothes pin in place until dry.
- Place the strips through the wooden handles, weave them through and add a drop of fabric glue. Pin in place until dry.