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Converta Tote

Simply unfold to convert from a roomy tote to a

comfy seat cushion

organizer!

Perfect classroom ta kealong! Keep your

supplies handy when you have

limited table space.

SHIRLEY'S SMllNG SNFF 11356 S. US 231 . Dale, IN 47523

Phone/Fax 812-683-3377 ssssb@webtv.net

www. Shirleyssewingstuff.com O 2008 Shirley Biehl

O 2008 Shirley Biehl .,,, - a - ; - - ./ p.. J

Materials List

1 seat cushion for kitchen chairs (1"- 2" thick foam, approximately 15-17" wide, and 14-1 6" front to back, with bias tape edging and ties)

(Available at most discount stores) OR if unavailable, make your own with:

1 pc of 1" - 2" thick foam 1 6 x 14" 2 pc of fabric 17" x 15" 1 pkg double fold bias tape (regular, not wide)

Tote made of 1 fabric: 2 yards 45" or 1% yd 60" med to heavy wt fabric: Cotton, blends, denim, poplin, etc. (Upholstery fabric not recommended).

OR Tote base of one fabric and pockets of contrasting fabric: 2 yds 45" or 1 Y2 yds 60" and Y2 yd (45" or 60") respectively

1/4 yard clear heavy vinyl (available at sewing and discount stores)

1 pkg (4 yds) double fold bias tape (regular, not wide) to match base

Three 9 (or longer) zippers to match bias tape

Approximately 12" of %" or Y4" wide velcro

Scrap of fusible fleece 2" x 19"

Scraps for appliquC and scrap of Heat 'n Bond Light (or other sew-through type fusible web)

Optional but recommended: If using plain cotton or a medium weight fabric, you will also need 1 ?h yard fusible fleece (36" wide)

';"p. .R---.*_--.. -3 c ~ ~ ~ - - ~ * . - - - - / ..f-qZ. $~i,'c~ SHSRLEYS SEWING STUFF

11356 S. US 231 Dale, IN 47523 Phone/F'ax 812-683-3377

ssssb@webtv.net www.Shuleys~gstuff.com

Converta Tote Instructions l/4I1 Seam allowance has been included in all measurements (except as noted)

Measure purchased cushion flrst. If it is more than 14" deep (front to back), add extra width to long base pieces so finished base width equals cushion depth. (See tote drawing) Prewash fabrics; particularly important if using fusible fleece (fabric may shrink when steam pressing fleece in place).

TIPS: Before beginning, read "Ideas" on Page 5. Check off the box as you complete each step.

Center BASE (Long base and front flap)

17 Long base: Cut 2 pieces of fabric 50" x 15" (or cushion depth + 1 ") Fold in half lengthwise and using pattern given, cut out U-shapes along one side on each of the two long base pieces.

Front flap: Cut 2 pieces 16 112" x 16 112".

Optional: If using fusible fleece on base, cut 1 piece 49%" x 14%" and 1 piece 16" x 16" (Position on long base and cut out U-shapes.)

Handles: Cut 2 pcs 2W x 15" of fabric and 2 pcs 1" x 15" of fusible fleece

Tab Closure: Cut 2 pcs 13/4" x 4" of fabric and 1 pc 11/4" x 3%" of fusible fleece. On one end, round or cut to a point.

r 3 Fusible Fleece Note

Fusible fleece is cut smaller than fabric pieces so it is not sewn in seam- line. Fleece will be sewn in when topstitching is done. Sewn pieces turn better this way.

Although long base is one piece, Sections A, B, and C will be referred to. (See drawing)

Pockets

Base A Section:

A4 Bottom Pocket: Cut one pc fabric 13%" wide x 9 %" tall

A1 Pencil and small ruler pocket: Cut one pc fabric 4" wide x 6" tall

A2 and A 3 Vinyl Pockets: Cut 2 pc vinyl from pattern given

Base C Section:

C1 Ruler Pocket: Cut 1 pc fabric 5 %" x 16"

C3 Plain Pocket: Cut 1 pc fabric 8 %" x 10%" (If adjusting C2 pocket, subtract %" from height)

C2 Vinyl "Pouch" Pocket: Cut 1 pc vinyl from pattern (Add M" to height if needed-see tote drawing)

Front Flap Section:

Pocket: Cut 1 pc fabric 14" wide x 15 112" tall.

Page 1 Q 2008 Shirley Biehl

For patchwork portion of heart, cut four 4%" squares and sew together in a "four patch".

On fusible web, trace heart frame and heart patchwork (with underlap). Turn pattern over to complete heart shapes. Press the fusible web onto the wrong side of frame fabric and patchwork, having the center vertical line even with center seam of patchwork. Cut out both hearts. With the heart frame over the patchwork heart, fuse onto the outside part of front flap.

Cut foam 13" x 15" and round corners. Cut 2 pc fabric 14" x 16" (you will use %"seam allow- ance when sewing cushion only) and round corners.

Sewing a' Handles: Fold in half, wrong sides together and press. Open up, and align fleece strip on wrong

side next to fold mark. Fuse. Then fold in half, right sides together and sew down the long side only. Turn right sides out. Topstitch %" from each edge. Make 2 handles.

Tab Closure: Fuse the fleece on wrong side of one tab piece. Place the two pieces, right sides to- gether, and sew the sides and the shaped end. Turn and press. Topstitch. Sew the furry side of a 1" piece of velcro on the finished end.

Optional: If using fusible fleece, fuse it on one long base piece and on the front flap piece with the fused on hearts, placing edges of fleece next to seamline.

AppliquC: Machine appliquC the heart frame with a medium width, closely spaced satin stitch.

Handle Positioninq: On the long base piece, (side Place tab in center

with cut-outs), locate-and mark the center. Place tab at this mark with raw edges even and furry side of vel- cro next to right side of base fabric. Position each end of handle 2" from the center, with raw edges even. Baste . On flap piece, center and baste this handle Right slde up

(Pocket side) the same way (on the end near the top of heart).

Front Flap: Place the flap pieces right sides together, making sure the handle loop will not be caught when sewing. Sew around the two sides and the bottom (with handle) only. Turn right side out and press. Topstitch %" from sewn edges. Sew loopy side of 1" velcro on the outside, centered between each side of handle. (This is for the tab closure.)

17 Front flap pocket construction: Fold and press !A" seam allowance on the sides and bottom. On the top edge, fold and press under 1" (for partial hem). Turn pocket over so right side is up; sew the furry side of a 4 to 5" strip of velcro in the center. Then turn down 1" again and press. Edgestitch hem. (Velcro is now on the wrong side of pocket.)

Wrong Side a Velcro

Right Side

----- Right Side

Page 2 6 2008 Shirley Biehl

Sewins On Front Flap Pocket: Place and center the pocket on the flap, having the bottom of pocket up %" from bottom edge oust above the handle). (Pocket and heart face opposite direc- tions.) Pin into position and edgestitch the sides and bottom, reinforcing the stitching at the top of the pocket by sewing twice in the hem area. (The other half of velcro strip will be sewn on later.)

Base and Front Flap Assembly: On handle end of front flap, outside of flap up, fold down several inches (tuck handle up into the fold). Secure with a safety pin (to prevent flap from being caught in next step). Then place front flap on long base piece (with tab and handle), right sides to- gether, centered on the side opposite base handle and cut- outs, with raw edges even. Place the other long base piece on top, with right sides together.

piece right sfde up

(heart side up)

Base Sewinq: Leaving a 6" - 7" opening to turn, sew around the long base piece. Clip corners off. Clip the U-curves almost to the seamline. Turn right sides out and press. Sew opening closed by hand. Topstitch all the way around, joining the stitching to the topstitching on front flap. This com- pletes the base.

NOTE: Be sure to reinforce pockets when sewing onto base by sewing twice in the hem area.

Pockets

Section A Pockets:

A4 Pocket: Construct and sew on as you did large pocket on flap, using a 2" strip of velcro. Sew pocket on Section A, centered and %" up from the bottom.

A1 Pocket (Pencil and sman ruler): Turn under 'h" on all 4 sides and press. Then turn under an additional %" at the top and edgestitch hem. Place pocket on Section A '/4" from left side and %" above A4 pocket. Edgestitch sides and across bottom. Then measure over %" from edgestitching on right side of pocket and mark for pencil holder. Then measure over %" again and mark. Sew on these lines. The remaining space will be for a 6" ruler.

I 3 Vinyl Sewing Tips

Be sure to use a longer stitch length than normal-halfway between a regular stitch and a basting stitch. (I used a 4.0 setting.)

To keep vinyl from sticking to the throat plate, make a paper pattern (from pocket pattern) cutting off slightly more than the %" seam allowance allowed. Place pa- per under the vinyl pocket, close to the needle, but not sewing through it. Use hair clips to hold the paper in position on the vinyl.

You can see through the vinyl to position paper, but will not have to rip off any pa- per after sewing. A teflon foot may be helpful also.

L J

A2 and A3 Vinyl Pockets:

For A3 pocket only, lay a 3%" long strip of double fold bias tape on vinyl at line indicated on pat- tern piece. Sew down the open side of bias tape.

Page 3 O 2008 Shirley Biehl

----------

For both pockets) encase the top edge of a zipper (right side up) with bias tape and sew close to open edge of bias tape. Encase and sew the top edge of the vinyl with bias tape. Then place uncased edge of zip- per (right side up) under the edge of vinyl you just sewed, having the edge of zipper tape even with edge of bias (underneath). Sew close to the top edge

- - - - - - - - - - - - (nearest zipper teeth) of bias tape. Trim ends of zipper ------------

tape even with vinyl.

Then encase and sew the sides and bottom of this pocket (vinyl and ends of zipper), turning under 1/411 of bias tape, at the beginning and ending of this sewing. (See TIP below.) Repeat for 2nd pocket.

TIP: Before sewing the bias tape, fold under and glue end of bias tape with a dab of glue stick. Also stop 2 - 3" before the end of sewing, clip off excess bias and glue the same way. This really makes it easier!

Place lower vinyl pocket (A3) with the bottom Y2" from A4 pocket. Stitch the "loose" side of short vertical bias tape dividing the pocket. Sew around all 4 sides of the pocket. Next, place the A2 vinyl pocket just above the A3 pocket and sew into position.

Section C Pockets:

C1 pocket: Press and stitch the same as you did the A4 pocket. If you want velcro on this pocket, pin pocket into position, then flip the top hem down and sew the loopy side of velcro onto base be- fore sewing pocket on. Place and sew pocket %" away from the left side of base and %" up from the bottom. Next press and stitch the C3 pocket the same way, using a 2" velcro strip. Place and sew pocket next to right side of base, having the bottom even with the C1 pocket bottom.

Loopy Side of Velcro on Fabric Pockets: On each pocket, mark location on the base for each vel- cro strip. Fold top of pocket back (pinning, if necessary) and sew loopy side of velcro into position on base.

C2 "Pouch" Pocket: (See Zipper Note below) This is made the same as the A2 and A3 vinyl pock- ets except when encasing the vinyl with bias tape at the top and around sides and bottom, make a %I1 deep pleat near each end. (Each pleat will shorten pocket width about %".) If necessary, trim off the edge even after pleating. Sew the bias tape on the top edge of vinyl first.

Zipper Note: You will need to shorten the zipper for this pocket. Whipstitch or securely zigzag 1" (or amount needed) up from metal stop at the bottom, shortening the zipper to length of bias tape just semn. Cut off excess.

This pocket will be "fuller" and will accommodate the "fat" Fiskars rotary cutter or other bulky items. Place and sew this pocket just above the C3 pocket. Your pockets are all done now!

Seat Cushion:

Note: On purchased seat cushion, ties may either be left on or removed. If left on, they may be tucked inside the opening at the top when tote is complete, but will still be available to tie onto a chair when using.

Page 4 O 2008 Shirley Biehl

Sewinq your own seat cushion:

Place foam between the 2 pcs of fabric, (with right sides of fabric out) and pin seam allowances together. Machine baste together approximately 9%'' from raw edges. Trim off %" of seam allowance.

- (Reminder: A total of %" seam allowance has been allowed for the seat cushion.)

Encase the raw edges all around the cushion with wide double fold bias tape. Sew, turning under %'' of bias tape at the end, and overlap the beginning of tape approximately %".

Sewinq purchased or self-made seat cushion to base:

Place seat cushion on B base section and pin into position. ( If using purchased seat cushion, place the curvy part at the top.) Sewing near the outside edge of the bias tape on seat cushion, sew only the sides and bottom. Backstitch well at the beginning and end of stitching. The opening at the top gives another place to stash "stuff' when carrying the tote.

To carry the tote, fold up the two long ends, then fold the front flap up. When folded, additional items may be placed inside. When placing it on a chair, have the side with the heart facing up and simply unfold to sit on and use.

+++ Ideas +++

Instead of heart applique, use a 10" to 13" quilt block for embellishment. Or use some hand or ma- chine embroidery on the front flap andlor the inside pockets.

If you need different pockets to hold your special things, substitute different sized pockets.

Make more fabric ones and less vinyl or vice versa. The basic construction for each of the two types of pockets remains the same. For example, fabric pocket A4 may be changed to a long vinyl zippered one by making a vinyl pocket 12" wide (with a 12" zipper). If doing this, you may also want to add 2" to the height of pocket at the top, along the straight edge. This makes a very roomy see-through pocket.

You could eliminate the C1 pocket, then widen C3 pocket to the full width of Section C. Then make a smaller fabric pocket (same width as C1 pocket but shorter) next to the C2 vinyl pocket.

Don't limit this tote to sewing and quilting classes-it can be made for art classes, handicraft and sewing get-togethers, craft classes, camper travel, fishermen, vacationing, etc. Customize the Con- verta Tote to fit your needs and enjoy!

Label pieces when cutting.

Page 5 O 2008 Shirley Biehl

CONVERTA TOTE

Tote has been designed to hold these items: I A1 Pencils, pen, 6" ruler

-. . A2 Large pair of scissors A3 Thread, bobbins, feet A4 Fabric or miscellaneous C1 4 x 14" Omnigrid ruler C2 Fiskars or Olfa cutter (See * to change) C3 Miscellaneous Front Flap pocket: Spiral notebook, books, note

pads, small cutting mat FRONT FLAP

See last 2 paragraphs of instructions for additional storage (not seen here)

See last 2 paragraphs of instructions for additional storage (not seen here)

"Add '/2" to the height of "pouch" pocket to hold a round magnetic pin holder, then subtract this Y2" from the C3 pocket height

Drawing not to scale

@ 2008 Shirley Biehl

@ 2008 Shirley Biehl

BASE CUT-OUT GUIDE (Allows opened tote to f i t on folding chair).

i

After cutting out long base piece, place guide along one side

and cut out the "U" shape.

Pleat

Cutting Line for C2 pocket 4 I Pleat Pleat

NOTE1 Use pleats only for C2 pocket

Cutting Line for A2 and A3 pockets-

Lay vinyl on pattern and mark cutting lines with a fine-line permanent marker

1

Placement A2 line A3 for bias C2 (see tote drawing *) on POCKET A3 pocket PATTERN

Place this mark 8" from the fold. -

Converta Tote

Heart Appliqut Pattern