Patriotic Tote Bag

With red, white and blue so in favor these days and with totes being such a favorite with practically everyone who ever has stuff to carry, it seemed like a good idea to combine the two. This time our basic tote is totally easy. We bought it! Craft stores frequently carry a line of heavy-duty muslin totes, aprons, etc. The idea and pattern for this patriotic tote came from a book written by Chris Rankin and titled, appropriately enough, Patriotic Crafts. Chris did not give the exact measurements of her tote, but we bought one tagged 13" x 14" that turned out to be quite a bit wider than 14 inches, so I guess measurements aren't that important anyway. We made a few minor changes (doesn't every crafter), such as adding shankless buttons along the top edge, but basically the credit goes to Chris.

Materials

basic muslin tote
1" wide grosgrain ribbon:
1 yard dark blue
1 yard white
nearly 3 yards red
fusible webbing
iron
scissors
heart-shaped red, white, blue shankless buttons (optional)
hot glue gun and glue sticks

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Steps:

1. Cut the dark blue and white grosgrain ribbon into six 6-inch lengths each and iron fusible webbing onto the back of every strip (figure A).

2. Line up all of the dark blue strips vertically on tabletop, butting each one up next to the other (figure B).

3. Weave the white strips through the dark blue ones and push them up next to each other so you will end up with a 6-inch square (figure C).

Note: Trim the grosgrain ribbon ends as you go to make certain that they match and to get rid of any raveling before ironing.

4. Position the square where desired on the tote (figure D). This is to be the star field, so it will be in the upper left corner. Exactly where it should be placed on your tote can be determined by cutting the red ribbon into four 10-inch-long lengths and four 16-inch lengths. Position one of the 10-inch lengths next to the star field, lining it up with the top row. The far end of the red ribbon and the far end of the star field should be equal distance from the side seams of the tote. When you have the star field in position, iron it to the bag.

5. Iron fusible webbing onto all the red strips of ribbon.

6. Place the top red stripe in position and iron it onto the bag.

7. Place a second red stripe on the bag, lining it up with the bottom stripe in the star field. Iron into position.

8. Position the two remaining 10-inch red lengths equal distance apart inside the top and bottom stripes and iron to secure.

9. Place one 16-inch length of red ribbon under the star field and the previously attached red stripes. The distance between it and the stripe above it should be the same as the distance between the stripes above it. Iron to hold.

10. Iron the remaining red strips equal distance apart below the top one to complete the flag (figure E).

11. If desired, hot glue the red, white and blue buttons into position along the top edge of the tote (figure F). Another option is to iron blue grosgrain on one side of the tote handle and a red strip to the other handle. Also in this Episode

Carol Duvall Show : Episode CDS-1565
•	All-In-One Envelope Card
•	Patriotic Votive
•	Patriotic Tote Bag
•	Shoebox: Patriotic Crafts