Introducing the Jolly Braid Tote Bag

Check out this new tote bag pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop! It’s a great way to use their exclusive 5” x 10” jolly bar precut fabrics.

I’ve made several different bags in the past, and this is my favorite pattern for several reasons:

• The size of the bag (12″x11″x5″) is perfect.
• The design is timeless.
• The bag is easy to sew! The pattern instructions are clear and there’s a great video tutorial.
• The Soft and Stable adds great shape to the bag and quilts easily.

Personalization

One reason I chose to make a bag instead of buying one is to personalize it to fit my style and needs.

Fabric Placement

Before I began sewing the braid, I chose six jolly bars for my handles because I wanted them to look like a cohesive unit rather than patchwork. I chose prints that had duplicates so each handle mirrored the other.

For the braid, instead of randomly adding strips, I decided to follow the gradation of color as it was packaged in the jolly bar.

I placed the dark fabrics in the middle so that they would be on the bottom of the bag. By laying out my strips in advance, I was able to achieve the look I wanted.

Pockets

The pattern doesn’t include any interior pockets. Since I like to keep small objects accessible, I used extra jolly bars to create pockets and top-stitched them to the bag lining. I stitched down the middle of one jolly bar pocket to divide it into two smaller sections. The full size pocket holds my pens and mobile phone.

Tips

• Use clear Elmer’s Re-Stick washable glue stick (found in the school supplies aisle) to tack the beginning triangle in place and skip the pins. After I ironed each strip, I added a dab of glue to hold it in place while I stitched on the next strip. By using small dabs of the glue, I didn’t need to use any pins.
• Leave the paper backing on the piece unit until you add the side pieces; it will stabilize the bias edges along the braid as you stitched.
• Consider using 505 Basting Spray to ensure the bag unit and Soft and Stable don’t shift during quilting.
• Clear monofilament thread adds texture to the bag without additional color that might compete with the gold shimmer on the fabrics.
• I have large hands, so I left a 5″ opening (instead of a 3″ opening) when I stitched the lining to the bag. It made turning the bag right-side-out much easier for me.

Check out other blogger’s who are quilting along! Find photos on Instagram by searching on #jollybraidtote or #jollybraidtotebag.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict