The Flying Geese Tote… a modern bag tutorial
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All you need is two coordinating 1 yard pieces of canvas fabric. Quilting cotton may also be used but the bag will not be as sturdy.
By the way, I have more fun flying geese sewing ideas here:
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free Superstar Quilt pattern with flying geese quilt pieces
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Easy quilt block tutorial The Dutchman’s Puzzle Block
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Easy quilt block tutorial The Variable Star Block
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Sew a gnome quilt with my free Gnome Block Pattern
-
Free mini quilt pattern Ladybug Liberty
-
Free mini quilt pattern Eclipse
-
Flying geese in my Boy’s Sailboat Quilt
Materials:
You will need
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two coordinating 1-yard pieces of cotton canvas (like these from Fabric Loft at Target)
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3/4 yd of 809 Decor Bond interfacing from Pellon
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coordinating thread
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fabric marking pen
Cutting guide for main fabric
Cutting guide for accent fabric
Cutting:
From your main fabric cut
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2 squares 20”
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2 straps 6 1/2” x 40”
From your accent fabric cut
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2 squares 20 7/8”
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2 pocket pieces 12 1/2” x 20”
My accent fabric
Decor bond interfacing
Cut the 20 7/8” accent fabric squares in half diagonally.
Cut two 20” squares of Decor Bond interfacing. Cut these squares in half diagonally too.
Apply interfacing:
Fuse interfacing to two of your accent triangles. The interfacing is 1/4” smaller than the accent triangles on all sides.
Fold both main fabric squares in half diagonally, press.
Fuse one interfacing triangle to each square, with the long edge along the fold.
*Note: The accent triangles with interfacing are your exterior triangles. The sides of the squares that have interfacing will also be the exterior. The pieces and sides without interfacing will make the interior.
Press and sew the strap:
Press the strap pieces in half lengthwise. Open and fold the raw edges to the inside and press. Re-fold and press to make a 1 1/2” strap.
Topstitch strap pieces close to both long edges.
Fold one of the main fabric squares in half along the crease. Place the interfaced side (the exterior) facing up. With the fold at the top, measure from one top corner towards the lower corner and make a mark at 12 1/2”. Repeat on the other side.
Open the square of fabric and pin both sides of the strap to the interfaced side. The straps should be placed perpendicular (at right angles) to the crease with the ends of the straps on the outside of your markings. Pin from the crease down to the cut edge.
Sew the straps to the exterior stitching on top of the previous topstitching. Sew only from the crease down to the cut edge.
Trim away the triangle that hangs off the edge.
Sew the pockets:
Fold the pocket pieces in half lengthwise, right sides facing. Stitch along the long edge with a 1/4” seam allowance. This will make a 6” x 20” tube.
Turn right side out. Press flat.
Topstitch along top (seam) edge. Repeat for both pocket pieces.
Working on the interior side of each square (the side without interfacing), pin the pocket piece on the right side square with the top of the pocket piece 10” from the bottom corner and parallel to the crease, as shown.
Stitch across the bottom edge of the pocket piece.
Flip the square over and trim away the triangles that hang off the edge.
On the right side, baste the sides of the pocket to the main square within the 1/4” seam allowance.
Use the fabric pen to mark sewing lines dividing the pockets as desired. Stitch along the lines.
Assemble the bag:
1/4” seam allowance allowed except where noted.
Sew the non-interfaced triangles to the non-interfaced (pocket side) of one square.
To make the bag, first you will stitch two triangles to each square to make two large triangles.
Pin and stitch one non-interfaced triangle to the pocket (non-interfaced) side of one square, right sides facing, as shown. Line up the long edges and let the pointy corner extend past the square a bit.
Open and press the seam toward the accent triangle.
Repeat on the other side: pin and stitch the other non-interfaced triangle to the other non-interfaced side of the same square.
Sew the interfaced triangles to the interfaced side of one square.
Now pin and sew the interfaced triangles to the exterior (the interfaced) side of the other square in the same way as before.
Now get ready to sew your two large triangles together to make a parallelogram. You will still sew non interfaced edges together and interfaced edges together.
Place the two triangles together right sides facing, as shown. Match the center seam and pin outward. Small triangles of accent fabric will hang off either edge. Stitch.
This is the trickiest part, but you’re almost done! Pin the side edges of the parallelogram together to make a tube. Remember to sew the non-interfaced accent triangle to the non-interfaced edge of the square. Sew the interfaced triangle to the interfaced edge of the remaining square. Stitch. It’s awkward, but it turns out fine.
Once you have a large tube, arrange it with the squares on the front and back. Pin all the way across the bottom of the exterior (interfaced) edge. Stitch with a 1/2” seam allowance.
Stitch a second time, within the seam allowance to reinforce the bottom of the bag. Trim away the little dog ear triangles, if desired.
On the other side of the bag (which will be the interior/lining) measure 8-10” from each corner and make a mark. Stitch with a 1/2” seam allowance, leaving the bag unstitched between the markings. This leaves a nice big opening so you can turn the bag right side out without wrinkling it up too much.
Box the corners:
Flatten the bottom of the bag and align the seam in the middle. Measure a 4” line across one corner and mark. Stitch along the line.
Trim away the corner with a 1/4” seam allowance.
Repeat until all 4 corners are boxed.
Finishing:
Press the edges of the opening to the inside. Hand or machine stitch the opening closed.
Stuff the lining into the bag, with the straps on the outside. Press the top edge all the way around. Pin around the top too.
Stitch around the top of the bag 1/4” from the edge. This will keep the lining on the inside. Done!
Enjoy your beautiful Flying Geese Tote Bag! If you make one, be sure to snap a pic and show me by tagging me on Instagram @sewcanshe.
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
A Target that I do shop at carries this fabric. I will check it out next time I’m at Target. Thanks for spreading the word.
So thrilled Target will carry fabric!
I would love it if Target would start to carry fabric! I would start to shop there. In a city that has Michael’s, Joann’s and Walmart selling fabric, I’m surprised Target didn’t jump on the bandwagon. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Just when I thought avoiding spending all my money at Target couldn’t possibly get any harder to resist 😛 My Target doesn’t sell this fabric, but at the peril of my wallet, I requested that they start. Thanks for the tote tutorial too!
I requested that my target carry this, thanks for the heads up!
I also requested that it be brought to my local Target, although there is one within a 30 min drive from my house. I might need to go check it out. Thanks for sharing this!
My Target doesn’t carry it, but I put in a request. Thanks for the giveaway!
Put in a request to have my local Target carry this
My local Target does not carry this product, so I went ahead and put in a request to get it in there.
First off, that tote is gorgeous! I can’t wait to make one.
Just brilliant! Thanks for sharing it!
Second….Target and Fabric. What more could one want!?
I requested!
My local Target is not on the list so I submitted a request. Great tote!
Unfortunately my Target doesn’t have the fabric yet. But I requested it! Thanks for the great tote pattern!
No, my target does not have it. I did request it all. Thanks
Not at my Target in Oregon yet but I clicked and said there should be more!
Not in Iowa, but I clicked and requested!!
I requested more stops in Ohio!
Nothing in Iowa. I requested it
Only one store in Massachusetts, but I would love to see this at a Target near me. The colors are beautiful!
My Nearest Target in Macon GA, was not on the list, so I sent the request for them to start carrying the fabric
Cute bag, love the fabric. No target near me so I left a message with my store location.
Would love it here in Venice, Florida! I requested it.. Beautiful fabric and thank you for the tutorial!
I asked them to add Lawrence, KS. Love the canvas selections!
Bummer! Not in any of the Targets close to me. There are at least 4 different ones I could go to but the closest one in on Penn Ave in Pittsburgh, PA. I requested Cranberry Twp, PA though:)
I’ve asked them to add my store and I’ve posted about the fabric line and your giveaway on my fb page https://www.facebook.com/madebyChrissieD
Neither the Target in Ellicott City MD or Columbia MD carry Fabric Loft. I have requested they do so.
I requested it in my hometown Target. Next time I drive to Atlanta I’m going to the only Target that carries it. Great tutorial!
My local Targets don’t carry it! Booooo! But I did request it, so hopefully they will expand to more stores soon!
What nice fabric and terrific tutorial! Just requested that my local Target carry this fabric. Hope it works!
Right now, in AZ this line is only available in one Tucson store; I’m in Peoria — some 125 miles away. I requested the line here.
There are NO Targets here in New Mexico w/ this product so I requested some for the one closest to me in Rio Rancho, NM! LOVE their blog & their fabrics! The colors are SEW rich!! Thank you for this news, the awesome tutorial & for the opportunity to win some of their FAB-ulous fabric!!
My local Targets (2) do not carry it in Greensboro, NC. I have requested it at both! Let’s go Target!!! Let’s get the Fabric Loft in ALL Target Stores!!
Target + fabric= perfect!
Thanks for the great tutorial. I hope my local target begins to carry fabrics:) I asked them to:)
Rats, my local Targets do NOT carry this beautiful fabric but I sure wish they did because I’d be heading there right now to pick some up. Love the tote pattern also.
The two closest Targets to me don’t carry it either :(. I did request on the form listed, though. Thank you for alerting us!
Three Targets in Houston TX carry it… I’ve requested it in our suburb store!
Wish my Target carried this fabric. It looks really nice! I asked them to.
Love Target! Love your tote pattern!!!
Target in my area doesn’t sell fabric but I put in my request!!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the great tote tutorial. Hope my local Target will begin to carry the fabric.
=( none in the area. I requested for Colorado Springs!
I requested Coral Springs, fl
Not in my city, but requested it and signed up for the newsletter!
I love this tutorial. I discovered that one of the Targets in Tucson carries the fabric. Yeah!
I like the fabrics. Sadly, Target stores in Orlando, Miami and Kissimmee are the only ones that carry it currently. I requested my local store to carry it.
Had to ask for MY Target to carry. Fab idea as Target is closer than my quilt shop
They don’t carry it anywhere in my state, so I requested it!
My Target does not have this fabric. 🙁 So..I clicked on the link and suggested that it be added to the Benton, AR store. -Brittany
Oh my Target doesn’t have it yet! But I requested it! Hopefully soon. So excited!!!!
My Target does not have this (or any) fabric! I requested it and signed up for the FabricLoft newsletter. Crossing my fingers to win! Thanks for the chance to win.
Mary Malone
Milwaukee, WI
mary and russ at wi dot rr dot com
the Targets in my state do not yet carry the fabric. thanks for allowing the request! very pretty tote and great idea to make it look like a big quilt block!
The Target here in Onalaska doesn’t carry any fabric – would love it if it did!! Filled in the information to add it and signed up for the newsletter. Thanks for the give away – the tote is awesome!
What a cool bag! How fun that Target is carrying fabric. There is one location in my area, but I requested it in my city, too. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Thanks for the info about Target and a great looking tote. Looks sorta like you are doing some origami! lol
Marie
mcmsagers @ comcast . net
Thanks for the info about Target and a great looking tote. Looks sorta like you are doing some origami! lol
Marie
Fabulous bag, need to try this one, so I’d love to win the giveaway. I found a Target near me that carries the fabric, will need to go there SOON. Thanks for the giveaway.
Checked out the listing and no Targets with fabric near me! Submitted a request that fabric comes to the Target in Gainesville, VA. Hopefully it will happen soon–these fabrics are GREAT!
I requested it for my area. I think it is fabulous that Target is starting to carry fabric. It’s a smart way to tap into all of us crafty folks out there.
No Target near me 🙁
I did submit a request and hope they carry it here real soon…love your bag…thanks for the tutorial!!!
I want fabric and my target!!!
there is one location in my greater city area but, in a sketchy neighborhood.
I asked for more!!
Thanks for the great tutorial! Love the bag! There are no Target that carry fabric where I live so I made a request.
Closest to me was Pittsburgh which is nowhere close to me. Put in my request
Request made! Hope it happens soon. Love the fabrics!
The Target stores nearest me do not. There is only one in the St. Louis area that does.
The Target in Stamford has it! I wish it were closer to me, but I’m excited to stop by and check it out.
I’m still waiting to hear back if the two nearest locations carry the fabric. Request has been made.
Only one in my state! I requsted more!
Target is already a dangerous store and this will make it so much worse (or better – depending on how you look at it)!
Only one store in my state so far but I requested more!
I requested Lakeland, Florida as the nearest to me was over an hour away. Love this tutorial!
I live 3 miles from my closest Target and am there all the time. Of course it needs fabric. My store isn’t on the list, so I added it. Thanks for the great tutorial and give away opportunity.
I asked Target for this fabric. Love your tote! Thank you.
There’s only one store in my state (a couple hours away) that has it, so I made sure to request it!
I would love to shop Target for these bold, exciting fabrics. However, it seems that the only store carrying the fabric in AZ is in Tucson… hours away from me. I did fill in the "think there should be more" request for a store in my city to carry fabric.
Thanks for the tutorial!
What a great design… beautiful bad and the fabrics are great.
thank for the giveaway.
oops, Bag not bad !
LOVE that Target now has fabric and they are fabulous prints! I had to request that my local store gets it, only 1 in MO and it’s about an hour away…fingers crossd!
Requested fabric in Bucks County, PA. Thanks for the opportunity to win the fabric!
I looked at the site and out Target carries the fabrics!! 🙂 YAY! Thanks for posting this and letting us know! I love the bag too!! : )
Thank you!
What a great bag and this fabric is awesome. I’d love to get some of this. I requested 3 different locations to bring in fabric as there are 3 stores in my area and none of them were listed sadly.
This is great and the colors are awesome! I asked for it to be available closer to Cedar Creek TX. We actually need a Target period in Bastrop. There are like 5 in Austin which is a BIG city and the only ones it is available is so far up north! The bag you designed is so cool. Thanks
Checked the sight not in Michigan ,so I requested it. Thanks
Unfortunately none of the Targets in my state or neighboring states carry the fabric line. I indicated they should! Thank you for the giveaway.
Zero Targets in Michigan carry it! I requested that "my" Target carry fabric.
Thanks,
Lin
linsquilts.blogspot.com
Wow, I couldn’t find any place near me at Target. But they know now that they should and I am sure they will cause I told ’em to. Thanks for a chance to win. Hoping you pick me.
I have requested Fabric Loft for my Target store in Monroe, LA. Love the FG tote.
I’ve asked for our Lufkin, TX store to carry Fabric Loft precuts. There are very few stores within an hour’s drive of our little town to buy fabric. We need more options!
None of the Target stores in Wisconsin carry fabric. I have talked to the one nearest to me.
There is not one store in MI that carries it! I hope they come here next! Because I almost live at Target and joke about working there. If they bring fabric, then it might actually happen! Thanks for the chance to win. Now i CAN"T WAIT to check out this fabric line!!!!!
No stores in WV carry the fabric but I filled out the "There should be more" so maybe one day". Really cute fabric love to try some!
The closest Target to me doesn’t carry Fabric so it would be nice. Thanks for the pattern, I will give it a try.
I did the "there should be more thing". It will likely be a long wait for me — there isn’t even a Target store in my town, closest one is 20 miles away. Interesting that they are carrying fabric though. The prints are lovely ad I’d like to see how the quality is.
We have three targets but none of them carry fabric.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
My nearest Target DOES carry them and I’m going today to check them out. This could be very dangerous. Darn you Target for being so awesome!
Not one store in Maine carries fabric….YET! I sent the form, but even if they do get it for Maine, my closest Target is 250 miles away 🙁
Neither of the Targets near me carry fabric, but I did fill out the form to request it! The one near my MIL carries it, so I just might have to schedule a visit . . .
I have requested Fabric Loft for the Target stores close to my home in Concord, CA.
HELLO, no my Target in Montana does not have fabric>Link clicked! Thanks for a great giveaway!
Closet Target to me that carries fabric is about an hour and a half drive, so I clicked the "Should there be more?" link and filled out the survey. Im very curious as to the quality. Love the blue and orange combo (Go Gators!). Thank you for the entry into the giveaway! 🙂
I will definitely check this out. I live fabric and Target too. Thanks for the entry.
Oh Tar-ge, fabric now. Love it.
My Target in Tennessee doesn’t have fabric, so I left my request at their site. Thanks for the giveaway!
None of the Target stores in my area carry it, but I requested it for the one closest to me 🙂
My closest Target that’s carrying it is an hour away, so I put in a request for Fredericksburg, VA!
My closest Target that’s carrying it is an hour away, so I put in a request for Fredericksburg, VA!
No stores in near me, so requested for Columbus IN.
I just requested that their fabric come to Rockville, MD!
I would love to see this fabric at my local Mt. Pleasant, SC store! Thanks for the giveaway and all the cool tutorials in my inbox everyday!!
Unfortunately there is not one store in NJ that has it! One hopes that will change soon.
PS Thank you for the very clever bag design.
Kay in NJ
I WISH my Target carried this fabric!! It’s really cool. Thanks for the giveaway.
I comented on the page. To bad only 1 store in metro Atlanta. Thanks
I’d love to see fabric in target! It would really get more folks interested in sewing!
Not yet available in my area so I requested it!
shannont9@gmail.com
I doubt that my Target carries but I will check. I want to make the bag. I think oldest grand will love.
Thanks
I requested it! I would be SEW excited to see it at my target! Thanks for the tut. I will be making this bag for the pool this summer.
I left a request for my nearest target because they don’t have it.
My Targets don’t carry it, but I did request it. Great bag tutorial
I asked that my Targets carry the fabric. I want to make your bag — great instructions
I requested for my local Target to carry this fabric!
Requested for a local Target to carry : )
No a single Target in my state carries the fabric, but I requested that they start.
Michigan wasn’t listed so I told them it should be.
I requested it! My Targets don’t carry it. Thanks for the tutorial!
Loved the pattern and made one yesterday …turned out very nice!!!
My Target doesn’t carry it. I requested it.
I requested, but it will be a very long time for me, I’m afraid. There’s not even a Target store in MS that I know of, let alone one that carries fabric. 🙁 Nearest is Atlanta, GA. or Lafayette, LA; both of which are too far away to be useful.