Flamingos are quickly becoming a very trendy fashion accessory!  Perfect with the warm weather soon to arrive! Make your own fun flamingo tote using this easy tutorial!

Make a Flamingo Tote

To make the tote, you’ll need:

1.5 yards outer fabric
1 yard lining fabric
scraps of black and 2 pinks for flamingo applique
3/4 yard HeatnBond® Fusible Fleece
1/2 yard HeatnBond® Mid-weight Fusible Interfacing
Thermoweb Pressing Paper
Pack of Heat n Bond® Ultra Fusible Adhesive
Black Button
Scissors, rotary cutter, ruler
Magnetic Snap
Flamingo Applique Pattern

 

All sewing is done with a 1/4″ seam allowance unless otherwise noted.

supplies for flamingo tote
Start by cutting two 12.5″ diameter circles from each of the outer and lining fabrics. These are the front and back.

cut circles
Cut a 4″x 26″ strip of fabric from both the lining and outer fabric. Fold in half. Cut in from the fold so the raw edges are 2″, and the center is 4″. These are the side pieces for the outer and lining.

trim sides
Fuse HeatnBond® Fusible Fleece to the outer fabric, and HeatnBond® Interfacing to the lining fabric. Use the pressing papers to protect your iron.

fuse to interfacing
Trim away the HeatnBond® Interfacing and Fusible Fleece. Sew the lining side unit to one of the lining circles, using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

stitch on side
Line up the second circle, pin in place.

pin on other lining piece
Stitch down. Repeat with the outer pieces.

stitch side on
Cut a 3.5″ strip of the outer fabric, and a 3″ strip of Fusible Fleece.

cut strip
Fuse the HeatnBond® Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the strip of fabric, leaving a 1/4″ margin on each side. Fold in half, right sides together, lengthwise, and stitch using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Turn right side out.

Topstitch on both sides. You’ve created the handle!

On the lining, measure 1.5″ down from the center for placing the magnetic snap. Follow the instructions that come with the snap for securing it in place.

mark for magnetic snap
Put the outside into the lining, right sides together, pin the handle in place, with the handle between the two layers. One side of the handle should be pinned on the side, the other on the front. Make sure the handle isn’t twisted.

pin layers together
Stitch all the way around the top, using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

stitch layers together
Use a seam ripper to open the seam at the bottom of the lining. For a curved bag like this, it is better to make a hole for turning than leave a hole for turning when stitching. The marks left by making and then removing the stitches will help you stitch closed the bag later, on the curve.

open seam in lining
Turn right side out, through the hole.

Fuse Heat n Bond® Ultra to the back of the fabrics for applique. Cut out the pieces for the flamingo applique. Place on the bag, where the handle attaches to the front. Be sure to avoid the area where the magnetic snap is placed, so you don’t try to stitch through it when you stitch down the applique.

place applique pieces
Fuse into place.

press applique into place

Pin all the way around the top of the bag, securing the lining and outer layer.

pin all around edge
Topstitch the edge.

stithc all the way around
Stitch down the applique, using a buttonhole or zig-zag stitch.

stitch applique down
Stitch a button in place for the eye.

stitch on button
Hand stitch the hole in the lining closed, and your flamingo tote is complete!

finished flamingo tote

5 Comments on Sew Up a HeatnBond Fun Flamingo Tote

  1. Denise/DIY Crush
    April 14, 2016 at 8:46 am (8 years ago)

    So adorable!! I just pinned it for later.

  2. lina
    June 25, 2018 at 10:28 pm (6 years ago)

    How long should the strip for the handle be? Hoping to make one of these adorable flamingo totes soon.

    • admin
      June 26, 2018 at 9:06 am (6 years ago)

      Hi! It’s honestly personal preference as to where you’d like the bag to cross on you. You can take a long ribbon to use as a guide for where it will best hang on yourself and then make the straps according. Or go off the length of another crossbody you may have that you like the length of. Best to you!

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