YOU WILL NEED

Picnic tote:

■ Print fabrics: sixteen (16)

fat eighths

■ Exterior base fabric: ¾yds

■ Lining fabric: 1½yds

■ Binding fabric: ¼yd

■ Batting: 48in x 56in

■ Four (4) 1½in metal

rectangle rings

■ 1½in wide webbing: 4¾yds

■ ¾in wide Velcro: ¼yd

■ Fray Check (optional)

FINISHED SIZE

■ 7in x 20in x 23in

PIECING THE EXTERIOR

13

Follow steps 5–7 of the quilt instructions to make sixteen blocks.

14

Take six of your blocks and arrange in two rows of three. Sew together in rows, then sew the rows together. Sew the front base piece to the bottom edge to make the front panel (Fig 1). Repeat to make the back panel.

15

Sew two blocks together, then sew a side base piece to the bottom to complete one side panel. Repeat to make the second side panel.

QUILTING THE BAG

16

Baste each of the front and side panels to their corresponding batting pieces. Also baste the exterior base piece to its corresponding batting piece.

17

Quilt each panel as desired. Wendy had her panels longarm quilted by Lisa Yates of Lavender Fields Co. She used the 60s Mod Butterfly pantograph. Trim away excess batting and square up the panels to the following sizes, carefully centring each panel:

■ Front and back panels: 24¼in x 20¼in.

■ Side panels: 20¼in x 8¼in.

■ Base panel: 24¼in x 8¼in.

ATTACHING THE STRAPS AND HANDLES

18

Use Fray Check on the end of each handle and strap piece to keep them from unravelling (or use a machine zigzag stitch to stitch over the ends). If you use synthetic webbing, carefully run a lighter quickly over the end of each piece. This will melt the fibres, fusing them together and stopping them from unravelling.

19

Take each handle piece and thread a rectangle ring over one end. Fold and pin the webbing over approx 1in. Sew the webbing in place with two horizontal lines of stitching, sewing over each line twice to secure. Repeat with another rectangle ring at the other end of each handle (Fig C).

20

Take one handle, and attach one end of each front strap to the rectangle rings, using the same process as before (Fig D). Attach one end of each back strap to the other handle (Fig E).

21

Place your front panel right side up on your work surface. Measure and mark 2½in from the top edge. Along this marked line, also mark ¾in from either side of the seam lines between the pieced blocks.

22

Take the handle with the attached front straps and align with the marks, referring to Fig F. The tops of

the rectangle rings should align with the 2 in marking, and the straps should be centred over the pieced seams within the markings. Take time to ensure the straps are lying flat and the handles are not twisted. Pin in place.

23

Starting at the top, near the rectangle ring, topstitch down one side of the strap. Stop with the needle down approx 1in from the bottom, pivot stitch across to the other edge, pivot again and stitch up the other side of the strap. Finish by stitching just underneath the ring and backstitch to secure. Repeat to secure the other front strap.

24

Measure 7 in from the bottom edge of the panel. Place the soft hooked side of each Velcro piece with the bottom edge aligning with your mark. Topstitch in place. Topstitch the rough looped side of each Velcro piece to the ends of the straps, so when stuck together each end forms a loop to hold the picnic quilt (Fig G).

25

Repeat steps 22–23 to place the other handle on the back panel. Topstitch along the sides and just under the rectangle ring for each strap, allowing your stitching to extend to the bottom edge of the back panel.

ASSEMBLING THE BAG

26

Sew the exterior pieces together, following steps 8–12, making sure to use a in seam allowance. Take care to pin the long straps from the front out of the way so they are not caught in the seam when adding the base.

27

Turn the bag exterior right side out. Place the lining down inside the bag, wrong sides together. Pin around the top edge, carefully aligning the seams at the sides. Baste around the top edge.

28

Sew the binding strips together end-to-end using diagonal seams. Press the seams open and trim the dog ears. Fold in half lengthways, wrong sides together and press.

29

Sew the binding to the bag lining. Fold the binding over the front of the bag and machine stitch in place around the edge to finish.