Canvas and Cork Bag with Stylized Flower Embroidery

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Welcome to our tutorial on sewing and embroidering a canvas and cork tote bag. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create a sturdy bag and add a beautiful flower design using machine embroidery. Whether you're new to sewing or looking to expand your skills, this project will help you create a unique and practical accessory.

This cool-looking bag features embroidery from the Stylized Flower Set.

The finished size of the bag is about 14"(wide) x 13"(high) x 3" (deep).

You can purchase this tote bag from our Etsy store!

Stylized Flower Bag - canvas embroidered panel framed with cork upper and bottom edges.

You will need :

embroidery threads either polyester or rayon - the choice of colors is completely up to you;
tan canvas/duck cloth for the central strip with embroidery;
Meteorite Cork fabric (1/2 yard cut);
Medium-weight iron-on cut-away embroidery stabilizer;
fabric for the lining;
light-weight iron-on sewing interfacing;
magnetic closure for the bags, or a 1" square of self-adhesive Velcro tape;
quilter's ruler;
rotary cutter, or scissors and graphic pencil;
iron;
#12 and #14 universal needles;
sewing thread of matching color;
chalk pencil;
fabric glue (optional).

Embroidery:

Upload the files from the Stylized Flower Set into the machine. Select thread.
On the canvas, draw a rectangle measuring 9 1/2" x 15 1/2", but do not cut it out! Stabilize the rectangle with iron-on cut-away stabilizer.

Determine the position of the designs within the rectangle. Embroider the designs one by one.
Repeat to make another embroidered panel.

After the embroidery is done, press it. Cut out the rectangles to 2 panels, each measuring 9 1/2" x 15 1/2".

Cutting:

Out of cork fabric, cut

2 strips measuring 2" x 32" (handles),
4 strips measurimg 4 1/2" x 15 1/2" (top and bottom).

Out of fabric for the lining, cut

1 piece measuring 15 1/2" x 28",
1 or 2 pieces measuring 9" x 9" (for pockets).

Out of sewing interfacing, cut

2 strips measuing 3/4" x 32",
2 panels measuring 12 1/2" x 18".

Assembly:

Handles:

Fold the long edges of the cork 2" x 32" strips 1/2" to the center, wrong side to wrong side, and press. Position the interfacing 3/4" x 32" strips between the folded sides and press again.

Top-stitch along the long edges, 1/4" and 1/8" seam allowance.

Assembly of the Panels:

Position the cork 4 1/2" x 15 1/2" strips along the upper edge of the canvas panels. Align the upper and side edges. Topstitch, seam allowance 1/2".

Open and press the seam allowance towards the embroidered strip.
Topstitch through the seam allowance, 1/4" from the embroidered fabric edge.

In the same way, attach the remaining cork strips to the bottom of the canvas panels.

Position both panels face to face, align all edges. Sew the bottom edge, seam allowance 1/2".
Open the seam and topstitch 1/4" on both sides of it.

The panels are stitched at the bottom , seam allowance topstitched.

With the ruler and graphic pencil, draw a line 1 1/2" from the upper edges of both panels. Fold the upper edge of both panels 1 1/2" back following the line and press. Unfold.

Position the short ends of a cork handle on the upper edge of the pane,l equal distance from the sides and about 5" distance between the ends.
Topstitch the handle in place up to the folded crease.

Position the ends of the handles on the upper edge equal distance from the sides.

Repeat for the other handle and panel.
This is what it will look like from the wrong side.

Sewing the Bag:

Fold the working piece, the panels face to face, align all edges. Sew the side edges, seam allowance 1/2".
Open and press the seams.

Shaping the Bottom:

To make box corners, separate the front and back sides at the corners. Center the seam on the side with the bottom seam.

Measure 1 1/2" along the seam from the corner. Draw a line perpendicular to the seam across the corner and machine-stitch it several times.

Repeat for the other corner.

Stitch across the drawn line sevel times.

Fold the corners to the side seams and stitch them to the side seams by hand.

Stitch the corners to the sides seams by hand.

Fold the upper edge back along the pressed line and topstitch 1/4" along the upper edge.

Turn the bag right side out.

Attach the magnetic closure to the folded upper edge from the inside, between the handles and as close to the upper edge as possible.

Lining:

To make pockets, fold the pocket piece (9" x 9") in half, face inwards. Stitch along 2 sides. Seam allowance for the pocket is 1/4".

Turn right side out. Press. Tuck the raw edges 1/2" inside, press and topstitch.

Repeat for the second pocket.

Position the pocket on the lining piece, about 3" from the shorter edge and an equal distance from the sides. Pin.

Topstitch along the side and bottom edges in place.

Fold the lining, face inwards. Align the upper and side edges.
Stitch the sides, seam allowance slightly larger than 1/4".
Open and press the seams.

Make box corners in the same way as described for the outer bag.

Finishing:

With wrong sides together, insert the outer bag into the lining. Align the side edges. Lift the folded upper edge and tuck the lining under it up to the stitches.