Place Mat Hula Tote

On the show I mentioned that we had all been referring to this as a hula tote because of the Hawaiian flair given by the materials used: bamboo handles, Hawaiian-print fabric and a bamboo place mat. If this is not the look that you desire, however, just change the fabric and the handles and make it simply a summertime tote.

Materials:

one 13" x 19-1/2" bamboo place mat
wooden handles
1" metal split rings
3/16" thick piece of pressed wood
handsaw, jigsaw or other saw to cut pressed wood
1/2 yard fabric
wood glue
needle
thread
scissors

2. With scissors, cut the place mat to 6" x 19-1/2".

3. Join the two short ends of the place mat and stitch them together taking stitches at the three woven areas (figure B).

4. Apply a generous amount of wood glue to the outside edge of the wooden circle. Line up the bottom edge of the place mat around the outside of the circle. Stand it upright and allow to dry (figure C).

5. Cut fabric as follows:
- pieces A and B: two strips 1-3/4" x 20-1/2 "
- pieces C and D: two 7-inch circles for bottom inside and out
- piece E: one 6-3/4" x 20-1/2" rectangle for lining
- piece F: one 2" x 12" strip for ring holders

6. With right sides together, machine stitch short ends of strip A together. Repeat with strip B. Press seams open.

Note: All seams for this tote are 1/2 inch.

7. Pin and sew strip B to circle C around the raw edge. Fold up the stitched band (B) and fold the raw top edge down about 1/2 inch (figure D). Press.

8. Place circle C over the bottom of the purse with the right side facing out and bring strip B up over the sides of the bamboo place mat (figure E). The folded top edge of the fabric should just cover the bottom row of stitching in the mat. Sew the two together (the mat and the fabric) with a row of tiny stitches around the top edge of the fabric (figure F).

9. With right sides facing, sew short edges of piece E together. Press seams open.

10. Fold in strip F 1/2 inch along each edge lengthwise. Fold in half lengthwise and sew the length of each side (figure G). Cut into four 3-inch lengths for ring holders (figure H).

11. With right sides together, join the short ends of piece E (lining) together forming a tube.

12. Join circle D to E by lining up the outside edge of D and one raw edge of E and stitching them together all the way around.

13. To determine placement of handles, lay handles on strip A. Place a pin at each of these four locations (figure I).

14. Join strip A (this will be the top edge of the purse) to tube E (the lining ) by stitching around as you did the others. When you come to a pin, remove it and place one of the short lengths of F folded in half crosswise at this spot. Be certain that the raw edges are facing out and that the loop is on the inside (figure J) .

15. Fold the raw top edge of circle A in 1/2 inch and press (figure K).

16. Insert the lining (E) into the purse. Fit strip A around the top (figure L) and attach to the sides of the bamboo place mat with tiny stitches. Then attach the rings and the handles to the extending loops (figure M).

Note: A large oval shaped tote can be made in similar manner (figure N). In this case, do not cut the place mats but sew them together end to end to form an oval.

Place two 6-inch saucers on a large piece of cardboard side by side; then place the place mats over them, standing the mats straight up and down.

Push the saucers apart until the mats are taut. Remove the mat and draw around the saucers, drawing straight lines between them to form the shape of the bottom of the purse.

Use this as your pattern. Continue in the same manner as with the smaller round purse.