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Loop-strap tote

by Linda Theil

Alisa liked this tote for its simple and whimsical loop-strap closure, so she bought the "Loop Bag" PDF pattern from Motif Studio and sent me her request. The bag is simplicity itself, and comes with directions for two sizes. We chose the 8x10x6-inch small tote as an experiment to see if we like the concept in use.

Not to be confused with the popular "dumpling" or "knot" bag, the Loop Bag features a simple closure using a long loop strap that slips through a short-loop strap to secure the top opening of the tote.

We chose a sophisticated palette of two grays from the Tilda "Chambray" collection and a coordinating dot from the Tilda "Chambray Dots" collection for our tote. I have a nice selection of fabrics from these collections in my fat-quarter stash, but had to use two fat quarters for the exterior and two coordinating fat quarters for the lining because I could only fit one pattern piece of each on a single fat-quarter. I also pieced the strap cuts from a single fat quarter, which would not be necessary if using regular yardage, or webbing for the straps. One of several edits I made to the pattern included changing the strap lengths to five-inch and 11-inch drops.

Before cutting the pattern pieces from the chosen fabric, I ironed fusible fleece to the wrong sides of my exterior fabric; and, using a walking foot and quilting bar, I quilted the uncut fabric with diagonal lines 1.5-inches apart in both directions across the fabric, creating a diamond pattern. The addition of quilting, along with medium-weight, fusible interfacing on the lining pieces; gives the bag a nice heft and weight.

To further enhance the bag's sturdiness, I added a 5x7-inch cut of Peltex ultra-firm, sew-in stabilizer to stiffen the bottom of the bag. To secure the sew-in Peltex, first I sewed the two bag exterior pieces together at the bottom seam. Before stitching the sides of the bag exterior, I laid the seamed front and back flat, wrong-side-up; and placed the Peltex across the bottom seam on the wrong side of the exterior. I secured the Peltex with four rows of stitching horizontally across the bag bottom., then stitched the sides and corners, as directed in the pattern.

This photo of the Loop Bag bottom shows four rows of horizontal stitching holding the Peltex stiffener in place unseen on the wrong side of the bag bottom. The central line of stitching visible is the top-stitched, bag-bottom seam that holds the front and back exterior pieces together.


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