Short on space but need a functional gardening tool? Create this convertible garden tote! It can be used as a tote bag with pockets a gardener’s kneeling pad or even a sport’s fans stadium cushion. And best of all it folds up flat so it can be stored anywhere! Download printable instructions.
Materials:
- Two 16” x 16” x 1”square chair pad foam
- Two 16” x 16” x 1”square chair pad foam
- Two 14” double sided reversible nylon zippers
- 1 1/4 yard canvas fabric
- 1 1/4 yard coordinating decorator or cotton fabric
- All-purpose thread
- Basic sewing supplies
Tools:
- Baby Lock Sewing Machine
Steps:
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Cut a rectangle 19” x 38 ½” from the canvas and coordinating decorator fabric. These pieces become the front and back of the tote.
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Cut a 12” x 19” piece from the canvas and coordinating decorator fabric for the pockets.
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Mark the center line of the main pieces.
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Hem the top edge of the pocket piece.
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Attach the pocket by placing right sides together and straight stitching the bottom edge to the center line.
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Fold the pocket so the wrong side of the pocket faces the right side of the cover and baste in place on the edges.
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Straight stitch two seams through the pocket to create dividing lines. The pockets do not have to be even in width; adjust according to your preference.
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Repeat this process for the pocket piece on the other side.
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Using a zipper foot baste the zipper pieces to the sides of the front.
Note: When folded in half the zippers should match up and zip.
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Place the back to the front right sides together and pin. Sew the side seams using a zipper foot.
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Cut the strapping in half to make two handles.
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Insert the handle between the layers and pin and baste the ends into place.
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. Stitch all the way across one end only.
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On the other end stitch 2” from the corner. Leave an opening for turning and stitch 2” to the other corner.
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Turn right side out and then insert the two foam chair pads.
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Whip stitch or top stitch the opening closed.
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Straight stitch across the center line dividing the two cushions to keep the foam from shifting and to allow the tote to fold.
