Bombolini Tote Bag Recipe
Make Bombolini Tote Bag Recipe in just 1h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Materials — main tote
Materials — patch / logo
Materials — finishing & hardware
Tools
Method
Materials — main tote
- 1
Prepare tote
If starting with a pre-made plain canvas tote, inspect and press it flat with an iron on the cotton setting. If making the tote from bolt fabric, cut two body panels 15" wide × 16" high plus two handle strips 24" × 2.5" and one bottom reinforcement 15" × 3". Finish raw edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.
- 2
If using fusible interfacing: cut interfacing to match the inside top 4" of each body panel (or the top band of the pre-made tote). Fuse according to manufacturer instructions to give structure to the mouth of the bag.
- 3
Topstitch handles: position handles 3" from each side seam, pin through the top edge, and sew a box with an X (or two parallel rows of stitching) to secure handles. Add reinforcement patches over handle anchor points, stitching around the edges.
Materials — patch / logo
- 4
Prepare patch or printed panel
Trim the printed cotton patch or fabric panel to desired dimensions (recommend ~8" × 8" centered on the front). Press it flat. If using fusible web, adhere it to the back of the patch following the web's instructions.
- 5
Position the patch: measure the tote front and mark the center point 4–5" below the top edge. Align the patch and pin or clip in place.
- 6
Attach the patch: using a sewing machine set to a straight or decorative stitch, sew around the patch edge with a 1/8"–1/4" seam allowance. For a cleaner finish, use a narrow zigzag or satin stitch. If using fabric glue or fusible web only, press firmly with an iron and allow glue to set per instructions; recommended to machine-stitch for durability.
- 7
Add HTV accents (optional)
Cut any small HTV accents (icons, text, or border) and weed excess material. Preheat the iron or heat press to the HTV temperature. Place accent on top of the patch or tote, cover with a Teflon sheet or thin cloth, and press for the HTV's recommended time. Peel the carrier sheet as instructed.
Materials — finishing & hardware
- 8
Finish raw top edge: turn the top edge of the tote inside and encase it with bias tape or fold 1/2" twice and topstitch close to the folded edge. This gives a clean interior finish and reinforces the mouth.
- 9
Add closure (optional): if you want a snap or button, mark the center top inside and install a sew-on or snap closure according to the hardware instructions. Reinforce with a small patch of interfacing if needed.
- 10
Final pressing and quality check: press the entire tote to remove any creases and set stitching. Check all seams and handle anchors for secure stitching. Trim loose threads and inspect the patch adhesion and HTV application.
Tools
- 11
Clean and set up tools before starting: thread the machine with matching thread, set stitch length to 2.5–3.0 mm for topstitching, and ensure the iron is set to the correct temperature for the fabrics and HTV. Keep scissors and pins handy for quick adjustments.