At Halloween, I like to make fabric bags to match the costumes of my friend's children. Kids - especially little girls who want a pink sparkly bag to match their princess costume - like them and they are quick, easy and fun to make.

in this hub, I will explain how to make a simple bag using a solid piece of fabric and the new tote bags that I have been experimenting with using simple quilting techniques. The tote bag and quilted tote bag are excellent for on the go mom's, teachers, make great lunch bags - basically they have a million uses and are easy to make! Because pockets, zippers and embellishments can easily be added, a simple tote can be very practical and stylish.

After an explanation of the totes, I will show you how to make cute fabric flowers to add to your totes or use a a broach, hair clip, embellishment on a flip flop - whatever you like! Be creative and have fun!!!

For this project you will need:

• a rectangle of fabric large enough for the desired size of your tote in a pattern you like
• a rectangle of fabric for the inner lining of the tote the same size as the other piece of fabric
• Ribbon or equivalent for straps - or extra fabric (I will teach how to make straps)
• needle and thread
• straight pins

As always, Measure twice, cut once!!! My favorite size tote is about 15"x15" so for this project, i will need a rectangular piece of fabric 16" wide (leaving about half an inch on each side to sew) and 32" long.

Whatever size you decide on, my rule of thumb is add about an inch or two for sewing and pinning room. it is better to have too much fabric and have to cut it down than to cut it too small in the first place! Choose the desired size of your tote, measure and cut both your outer fabric and the lining fabric. Set aside.

Now it's time to figure out your straps. I like mine a bit long so I generally use about 25" - 30" per strap. I suggest using something thicker than ribbon, but depending on your taste and what you will use the bag for, ribbon can work. make sure it is a quality fabric ribbon as the cheaper versions tend to rip as you try to sew them.

if you would like to make your own straps, it is incredibly easy! You can make the straps and wide or narrow as you desire. When making my own straps, I use a piece of fabric about 2 1/2" - 3" wide and the desired length of the strap plus about 2 inches for sewing.

Fold your fabric with the design side facing in. This way your stitch will be hidden when you turn the strap right-side-out. Pin along the edge and sew a simple straight stitch. When finished, turn right-side-out and iron flat. I like to iron the seam down the middle of the back of my strap,but the seam can also be on the side - it is completely up to you.

To attach the straps, decide where you would like them and pin to the outer fabric. You will want to lay the strap on the patterned side of the fabric and pin one strap on each of the shorter sides of your fabric, leaving a bit out for easy sewing. Once you have both straps pinned, place the lining fabric on top of the outer fabric with the design sides facing towards each other (again to hid your stitch).

Now simply sew a straight stitch along both of the shorter sides, connecting the outer fabric, lining fabric and straps. Remove the pins and turn your fabric right-side-out.

Now would be the time to add any pockets to the inner lining of the tote. When that is completed, fold your tote in half with the outside patterned fabric facing inward. Pin along the edges of the two sides of the tote and again use a simple straight stitch. Remove the pins and turn your bag right-side-out and you are finished!!

Fabric flowers will be discussed after the quilted tote.

For this project you will need:

• Fabric - cut into squares. I have found that for beginners (like me) the bigger the square, the more difficult it is to mess up so I have been using 5"x5" squares. For a 15"x15" tote, I use 3 patterned fabrics.
• Fabric for the inner lining, cut to size of the desired tote. Again we will use the 15"x15" as a model and for that size you would need an inner lining of about 16"x31"
• fabric of ribbon for straps
• needle and thread
• straight pins

Begin by cutting your fabric squares. Since I was using 5"x5" squares and wanted a 15"x15" bag, I made rows of 4 5" squares and cut the excess off at the end. Before you begin to sew, lay out the squares and make sure you like the say the pattern looks. I like to number the squares iin case they get out of order while I'm working. Fro each row, pin the 1st and 2nd squares together with the patterned sides facing in towards each other. Do this of the 3rd and 4th squares too and then sew the 1st and 2nd to the 3rd and 4th.

I made 6 rows of 4 squares and then sewed them together (so I needed 24 squares total) - again using a simple straight stitch. It is important to remember not to pull your fabric too tight, especially when quilting. Pin loosely and while your stitching should be tight, if the fabric is bunching, you are pulling too hard!

Attaching the straps is the same as for the Simple tote. Attach the straps, turn your fabric right-side-out and again fold it and pin the sides and sew with a simple straight stitch. Because I made my rows a bit too long, in this last pinning and sewing, I sewed about 2 1/2" from the edge of each side and cut off the remainder.

On this particular bag, I used buttons and glitter fabric paint to add the little boys name to his candy bag. If it had been for a girl, fabric flowers would've been a beautiful touch!

These are so easy and cute!! You can make just about any size you desire, use any fabric you like and even mix and match for a funky vintage feel!

All you do for this project is cut out 6 circles from your fabric - the larger the circle, the larger the flower will be. I used a CD for my large flower circle, a coaster for my medium flower and a soda can for my small flower (just to give you an idea of my sizing).

Fold each of the circles in half and iron flat with the pattern side facing out. Fold in half again and iron flat. You will have a fabric triangle.

Along the long edge of your triangle. weave in and out with thread that matches the fabric. Pull the tight and bunch for a 3-d effect. Do the same with the other 5 petals and sew the first petal to the last. I use a button as the center of the flower.

I have used these on totes, attached a push pin to the backs for the bulletin board, attached them to bobby pins for cute hair accessories....the possibilities are endless!! My favorite is to attach a pin (safety pin or broach pins work great) to the back so I can interchange the flowers on my totes based on what I'm wearing or which flower I am in the mood to wear. Sometimes I put all of my flowers of my tote just for fun! It's all about what you like and what makes you happy! So enjoy!!!