Mini-tote with red and yellow flower appliques Appliquéd Gardening Tote
Quilting category

Designed by Victoria Waller

This mini tote project is perfert for holding eating utensils at a picnic or for using it as a unique gift bag. It looks great holding dried or silk flowers on a porch or deck. The larger version is perfect for organizing gardening supplies.

Time to completion: 2 hours

spool
Skill level: 1 of 5, 1 being the easiest
   

Materials List  

Natural canvas tote
Dylon® Permanent Dye (Royal Blue #87026)
Felt - three assorted colors
Printed woven ribbon
Matching Perle cotton or embroidery floss
Pattern available (PDF, 35K)



Instructions  
1. Machine-wash tote bag in order to remove all sizing and finishes.

 
2. Dye tote bag with Dylon dye following directions from package.

 
3. After dyeing process is complete, wash, dry, and press tote bag.

 
4. Pin ribbon around bottom of tote; overlap and turn under end to finish. Hand stitch with matching thread to attach.

 
5.

Trace garden shapes from pattern. Cut shapes from felt and pin to tote in pleasing design.

Pattern available (PDF, 35K)

 
6. Hand stitch using a blanket stitch and matching thread to apply shapes to bag. Detail with French knots, if desired (see Helpful Tips).

 
7. TIe ribbon bow and stitch to handle.

 
 

Helpful Tips  

Blanket Stitch
1.
Completed notebook lying open
Blanket stitch
 
A popular finishing stitch for edges. Work stitch from left to right, bringing needle from back to front at A. Insert needle from front to back to front in a single motion at B and C. Before pulling needle through fabric, carry floss under point of needle as shown in illustration. Special note: needle exit point C is A of following stitch. Stitch length can be alternated to add a pattern effect to the finishing edge.
French Knot
 
Close-up of pencil in ribbon holder
French knot
 
Bring the thread out at the required position, hold the thread down with the left thumb and encircle the thread twice with the needle as at A. Still holding the thread firmly, twist the needle back to the starting point and insert it close to where the thread first emerged (see arrow). Pull thread through to the back and secure for a single french knot or pass on to the position of the next stitch as at B.