This pattern was originally published in Making Magazine vol. 6: Black & White as the Japanese Style Linen Tote - but it doesn’t need to be made with linen. In fact, I have been having fun making it with canvas duck, denim, and even waxed canvas. This also allows you to skip the interfacing (a bonus in my book!)

SUPPLIES

Recommended fabrics:

Exterior: medium or heavy weight linen, cotton twill, denim, or canvas duck. (you can also use quilt weight cotton or linen, but you will need to interface it for sturdiness)

Lining: medium or lightweight linen or quilting cotton.

Requirements based on 44” wide fabric.

• • Side handle Gusset Tote Pattern Piece
• • ¾ Yd [61 cm] Exterior Fabric A
• • ¼ yd [22.9 cm] Exterior Fabric B
• • ¾ yd [61 cm] Lining fabric; medium or lightweight linen or quilting cotton
• • Additional 2" - 6" [5 cm to 15 cm] fabric scraps for Boro/Sashiko style patches
• • 1 yd [.9 m] fusible woven interfacing; Pellon SF101- 20" [50.1 cm] wide (optional if you are using a heavier exterior fabric)
• • ¾ yd [61 cm] of 2" wide [5 cm] cotton webbing

Additional Supplies: Cutting mat, Ruler, Rotary cutter, Water soluble pen, Pins, Thread, Embroidery floss, Embroidery needle