How To Make a Sophie Tote Bag | Shabby Fabrics Tutorial

The soft and feminine Sophie Tote is made with the gorgeous Violet's Garden collection from Henry Glass Fabrics! This project is easy to make using the quilt as you go June Tailor pre-printed batting! Create this fun, practical tote in just a couple of hours! It's the perfect size for daily use, trips to the market, and adding a little color to your outfit!
#shabbyfabrics #sewing #totebag
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WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS PROJECT
Quilt As You Go Sophie Tote Kit - Violet's Garden: www.shabbyfabr...
Shop All Sophie Tote Kits: www.shabbyfabr...
Shop All Fat Quarter Sets: www.shabbyfabr...
See the Coming Soon Fabric Collections Here: www.shabbyfabr...
*If you want to be notified when any of the Coming Soon fabrics arrive, be sure to click the "Email me when this product arrives" on the product page, and we'll send you an email when it becomes available for purchase!
See All Current Fabric Collections (more than 300): www.shabbyfabr...
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NOTIONS USED IN THIS VIDEO
Creative Grids - 6½" x 12½" Ruler: shabbyfabrics....
Clover Press Perfect Roll & Press: shabbyfabrics....
Bohin Double Faced Adhesive Tape: www.shabbyfabr...
Wash-Away Wonder Tape - 1/4" x 10yds: www.shabbyfabr...
Clover Bordeaux Ultimate Shears: www.shabbyfabr...
Kai Embroidery Scissors: www.shabbyfabr...
Olfa 45mm Rotary Cutter: www.shabbyfabr...
Schmetz Chrome Jeans/Denim Needles - Size 100/16 5ct: www.shabbyfabr...
Clover Wonder Clips: www.shabbyfabr...
-Clover Mini Wonder Clips: www.shabbyfabr...
Clover Fine Quilting Pins - Size 30 - 1-7/8" - 100ct: www.shabbyfabr...
Clover Press Perfect Hot Ruler: www.shabbyfabr...
Frixion Clicker Pen: www.shabbyfabr...
Panasonic 360° Freestyle Cordless Iron: www.shabbyfabr...
We're sewing on a BERNINA 770 QE and we love it!
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[@elstongunn4277]

You do such a nice job of demonstrating how to put together these projects, Jen! I don’t mind at all the length of your videos because they are so valuable with your tips on how to follow the instructions!

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Thank you for your feedback! We are glad you enjoy this tutorial for the Sophie tote. Thanks for watching!! -Michelle

[@beyesh3760]

😂😂 Yep, at retreats, I need my whole 8-10 ft. table space. I like to spread out, too. 😊 Thanks again 😊

[@ShabbyFabrics]

So glad you enjoyed this one! Thank you very much for watching :) -Michelle

[@sandygandy9970]

Shabby Fabrics makes it so easy for me to make bags. TY and love the fabric on this one.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We are very glad you enjoy this tutorial!! Thank you for watching! -Michelle

[@terryblair966]

Thanks for demonstrating the project. I love the fabrics

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We're glad you enjoy this tutorial. Thanks for watching! 😊🤗 😍 -Michelle

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Such a beautiful tote bag! Thanks for sharing!

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We are happy you enjoy this fun tutorial. Thanks for watching!! -Michelle

[@gallinas0723]

Thank you so much. I watch your videos all the time. I have learned so much. I have not sewn for a very long time. This easy project helped me get back into it. I purchased this kit a while back but without your video I didn’t dare to do it on your own. About the kits, I enjoyed them. I have lots of fabric, but I often get stuck deciding on the combinations. My husband says it need help with colors. He often does not like the combinations I choose.🤷🏻‍♀️ I am looking forward to other videos. I would love for you to do a video tutorial on making Blessings of Spring quilt. Thanks!

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Thank you very much for the great feedback! We're happy to hear that this tutorial has inspired you. For what Jen considers "Color Sense", check out her short video here: www.shabbyfabrics.com/free-downloads-and-video/351/learn-color-sense-with-jennifer-bosworth-of-shabby-fabrics Thank you for watching!! 💖 -Michelle

[@buchmansrus]

thank you so much. I just opened my package and read the directions but I'm a visual learner so I really appreciate your help. Have a blessed day

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We're glad you found this tutorial helpful. We look forward to seeing your project photos when you finish. Thanks for watching!! 💖 -Michelle

[@carriesoulages-jamieson2275]

Hi Jen, I finally made my tote. I did add binding to the inside too. Looks really good. Thanks for a wonderful video.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

That's wonderful to hear! We're so glad you enjoy this tote project. Thanks for your comment! -Michelle

[@helenduquette7386]

Thanks to your wonderful Tutorial I was able to complete a bag. Wish I could send you a picture 🙂

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We're so glad you found this tutorial helpful! You can always send us your project photos via email to [e-mail]. Thanks so much for watching! -Michelle

[@Loveandkissme]

Thank you for sharing a fun project again. I always enjoy to watch your videos and often I make from them. It is always fun.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We are very glad you enjoy this tutorial. Thanks for watching! 😊🤗 😍 -Michelle

[@janconti3311]

Excellent tutorial. I just made a simple strap to save time. I see you have a Bernina. I used stitch 6 to attach the strap. It’s a triple straight stitch and secures the strap very well.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Great suggestion! Thank you for sharing it with us! -Michelle

[@fireflydreams1791]

This bag is gorgeous! I LOVE this fabric line! Now to go add it to my Christmas wish list. Thank you for a very thorough step by step video. Gives me confidence to make this beauty.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We're happy you enjoy this fun tutorial!! We adore Violet's Garden too!! -Michelle

[@dis9168]

beautiful bag and love how its quilt as you go!

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Thank you. We are happy you enjoy this tutorial. We love our QAYG projects! -Michelle

[@agovernale]

Thank you for such an great tutorial with lots of tips. I decided to forgo the batting straps. Maybe my kit was too old, but they were stretched out, and they were very difficult to work with even with the tape and my magic trick was to use fusible fleece. I cut it 1 1/4 inches by the length they recommended and my fabric folded over it beautifully and evenly. I did use the tape, but I was able to fuse the strip down onto the fabric first and so it was stable and then use the tape to cover the fabric on top. I also love the recommendation for these size 100 needles they work like a charm. I had so many of these kits and it was great to find your video to inspire me to make them.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We're happy this project inspired you, Ann! Thank you so much for commenting. -Michelle

[@nancysnider1276]

I’ve made many of these bags and I use a strip of binding to bind the inside side and boxed corner edges, turning under the ends of the boxed corner edges 1/2” so no raw edges left behind. I have also made pockets on the inside for small items.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Thank you for these great suggestions!! -Michelle

[@Jana-TheCraftyGambler]

I’m not sure which video it was on but I saw the “folder corner clipper to help my binding strips. I got it yesterday and I cannot tell you how excited I am to try it out! It is going to it make so much easier to attach binging strips for those really big projects that I make. And I just ordered the Clover hot ruler.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Yay! We're glad you enjoy the folded corner clipper! We enjoy using it for our projects, and the hot ruler is also an excellent tool! We're happy you liked this video. Thank you for watching. ✨🎄 -Michelle

[@vickirudel2375]

Great video...I wish you HAD NOT skipped over the boxing part. I'm fairly new at this and needed the guidance on doing the boxing part. When doing these tutorials, please don't skip over crucial steps.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Hi Vicki - Jen does cover the boxing portion in the video for the Alexandra Tote Bag, which you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIqVdIZ5ZpmoaZo -Michelle

[@liannevlasin8419]

The other thing that you can do is use muslin as your inner lining so you can quilt the bag. After you finish quilting sew sides and bottom. Then take your pretty lining and sew the sides & bottom & insert wrong sides together. Sew the straps & binding & you're done. Using the muslin as an inner lining & quilting helps keep you from having raw seams on the inside of the bag by covering it with pretty lining. You can also add more quilting if you want the lining not to move around.

[@annblair4459]

Thank you

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We're glad you like this project. -Michelle

[@priscillawitwer3140]

Hi Jen! You mention quite a few times about your head being in the way of the camera. I think it concerns you more than the rest of us. Would it help to move the overhead camera more towards the middle of table (still being above you, but slightly in front of you) rather than directly above you? That way, when you are looking down, the camera can still give an overhead shot of what you are doing, but it is moved a bit more in front of you. Just an idea... I have learned so much from watching your videos! You explained everything clearly and you make me giggle a bit sometimes when you are joking around! I always look forward to learning more.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Thank you for your sweet words and feedback. We are very glad you enjoy our fun projects! Thank you for watching ♥️ -Michelle

[@sylviabrown6617]

Cute

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We're glad you enjoy this lovely project. ✂️ 💖 -Michelle

[@sherrystanko2669]

I KNOW this is a silly question to some of you but I'm kind of new at this. Could this bag be made with either a fat quarter bundle or a jelly roll with a little yardage? I'm thinking mostly yardage but 1/4 yards are hard to find...for me at least.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Yes, you can! We used fat quarters & 2.5" strips for ours! ✨✨ -Michelle

[@sherrystanko2669]

@@ShabbyFabrics Thank you so much for answering and so fast! This is great news! I'm working on the kit already and I can't tell I'm going to want more. I learned to quilt following Jen's 'learn to quilt' series. It was my first and only intro to quilting. That was a couple of years ago and I've made several quilts since then. She taught me the basics and good habits that are ingrained! Thanks again for the fabric info!

[@ShabbyFabrics]

We're very glad you've found these tutorials inspirational!! Keep on quilting!! ✨ -Michelle

[@ruthvaughan450]

I’m making this now & the instructions for the covered webbing for the handle say the raw edges of the fabric “meet down the middle”, but the tutorial has the edges overlap. Is it a misprint on the package instructions?

[@ShabbyFabrics]

I'm not sure if it is a misprint or just weirdly worded. I think what they mean is that the seams of the strap tubes run the length of the strap, and the two sides of the strap are placed seam-sides together, and then stitched together. Hope that helps! 💖-Bethany

[@mickeyroberts1759]

Why did you skip over sewing the sides and making the gussets?

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Since the construction of the project is included in the pattern, we didn't feel it was necessary to go over that portion. This tutorial was created as a helpful instructional guide for using the Sophie Tote pre-printed batting designed by June Tailor. -Michelle

[@trudywolcott7419]

Are instructions for adding a top zipper included?

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Hi Trudy - The instructions included with this kit do not include instructions for adding a zipper to it. -Michelle

[@kathiebuckley9776]

Did you change your foot, is there a stitch in ditch foot?

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Yes, we did switch from the 97D to our Bernina 1D foot when we added the binding. This foot is good for topstitching and we no longer needed the quarter inch seam allowance guide. Hope this makes sense! 💖 -Michelle

[@candilastname7429]

Can we buy this kit without the fabric?

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Yes, the Quilt As You Go Sophie Tote batting is available here, so you can choose your own fabrics for it: www.shabbyfabrics.com/p72558/quilt-as-you-go-pre-printed-batting-sophie-tote-bag 🌟 -Michelle

[@JB-wu9dc]

Where can I find the ruler you can iron on?

[@ShabbyFabrics]

You can find the Clover Press Perfect Hot Ruler here: www.shabbyfabrics.com/p52324/clover-press-perfect-hot-ruler -Michelle

[@liannevlasin8419]

When I can't or shouldn't iron I use a spoon. Also instead of using pins I glue.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Great suggestions! Thank you for sharing! 💜 -Michelle

[@helenmerkis6420]

What happened? You went from going to zigzag the edges to having boxed corners??I replayed thinking I hit something but no, I think your video is edited incorrectly. 🧐

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Since the construction of the project is included in the pattern, we didn't feel it was necessary to go over that portion. This tutorial was created as a helpful instructional guide for using the Sophie Tote pre-printed batting designed by June Tailor. -Michelle

[@dis9168]

I feel the darkness makes it very hard to see for older sewers.

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Thank you for the feedback. -Michelle

[@Marcia13112]

On the straps…do you top stitch both pieces together?

[@ShabbyFabrics]

Yes, when you lay the strap back onto itself, you will stitch through all layers. It's quite bulky so be sure to go slow. A Chrome needle is helpful as well. :) Jen