Lining and adding pockets to a fold over tote tute

Sorry, I had to say tote tute. LOL, I never use the word "tute" but I just had to!

Moving on, the body of what I used is here, on Me Sew Crazy, a blog I absolutely recommend you follow!


This is an intermediate tutorial as I did not take really detailed pictures. If I didn't explain something well enough that you can understand and replicate it, please post your questions and I'll answer!

I cut out the following:

• 4   rectangles 24″x21″ (2 of inner fabric, 2 of outer)
• 2   rectangles 4 inches by 26″ (outer fabric only)
• 1   4″x45 inch strip (outer fabric only)
• 4   4″ x 3″ inch rectangles (outer fabric only)
• 2   14 x 4" (these are my two outer pockets, if you want yours larger, make the adjustments before cutting) If you want to put a cell phone in one of these pockets, take your cell phone measurements, double the height and add 1"; and take the width and add 1.5". Example: your phone is 5" tall by 3" wide... 5x2=10, plus 1 is 11... 3+1.5= 4.5. Cut your pocket piece at 11x4.5".
• 1   40 x 6" (this is my inner pocket, again, if you want to adjust it, make all changes before cutting)

You will also need:

• 4 d rings or loops and 2 swivel purse attachments OR 6 swivel purse attachments (I recommend six swivel purse attachments, but that is not what I used.
• Ironing Board
• Iron
• Sewing Machine 
• Thread
• Scissors (I was being lazy and used my seam ripper to cut the thread after each piece I sewed.... I tried to will it to my hand from the cutting table, but the force is not strong with me)

My inside out pocket

The first thing I did was fold my pockets in half and sew so that three edges were closed.
 Then you flip your pocket so it is rightside out and there is only one side with raw edges. Serge or zig zag stitch over the raw edges. Attach it upside down to where you want the bottom of the pocket to be, and stitch. Then flip it so it isn't upside down anymore and stitch the sides down. For my mom's, I wanted small places to slide her crochet hooks into, so I ran extra stitch lines down one of my pockets.

This is where I turned my pockets upside down and then stitched where i wanted the bottom to be. When you flip the pocket up, what looks like the top will be the bottom.

See how the extra lines allow me to stand up my crochet needles? This would also work for pens and pencils.

For the inner pocket, folded in half hamburger style, then did everything in the last paragraph except for sewing the sides down. This pocket was wide enough that the sides would be caught when I sewed the side seam of the bag together, but you can do it now if you really want to be sure it stays sewn down.

The only other change I made to Palak's original pattern was to add two attachments with D-rings or swivels. This allows me to move my over the shoulder strap depending on how full it is. My D ring straps are 3" apart from each other.

After that, I put my shoulder straps where I would want them to go, and I put my lining on the outside. Be sure, at this point that your right sides are facing each other. You should not be able to see the pretty side of your fabric at all. Pin every 2-3" all the way around. Sew all the way around except for a 6" gap. Then turn the fabrics rightside out by pulling through the gap you just left.

Now all the is left is to topstitch all the way around the top. To be sure there wouldn't be a raw edge where the gap was, I used the far left stitch when the fabrics were rightside together, then I moved the needle to center for doing the topstitch. You don't *have to* but I recommend it!