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June 8, 2017 by: Melanie

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag

Colorful Dresdens are a fun way to dress up any pre-made tote bag. This post is sponsored by Nancy’s Notions, an excellent place to find any item for the sewing enthusiast!

Through conferences and giveaways, I have found myself the owner of a plethora of reusable tote bags. I like using them for grocery shopping, but sometimes I wish that they were a little cuter and more colorful. Last week, while cleaning out my fabric stash, I realized that I have enough scraps to make designs perfect for embellishing this collection of tote bags. This is also a good method for covering up any symbols that you’d like to cover on pre-made tote bags.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

For this project, I’m using the Dimensional Dresden Template from Nancy’s Notions. If Dresden making has ever intimidated you (it has me!), this template is the answer. I whipped up the Dresden and completed this project during the kids’ free play time, making this craft perfect for busy moms who still want to sneak in a little sewing time.

Dimensional Dresden Template AD

Dimensional Dresden Template AD

Supplies:

  • Dimensional Dresden Template from Nancy’s Notions
  • Coordinating fabric scraps or charm pack
  • Sewing Machine
  • Rotary cutter
  • Self-healing mat
  • Hand sewing needle
  • Coordinating thread
  • 6″ by 6″ piece of coordinating felt
  • Fabric glue
  • (3) large buttons

Step 1

Use the Dimensional Dresden Template to cut out the wedges. I cut these at the 2 1/2″ mark with a rotary cutter on a self-healing mat. I lined the 2 1/2″ mark up to the edge of the fabric piece and cut around the edges of the template.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 2

Continue cutting until you have the number of wedges needed to complete the Dresden. For this project, I cut 13.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 3

Fold each wedge in half and stitch along the top edge with a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 4

Turn the sewn top edge so that the right side of the fabric is open. The sewn edge will fold under and form a nice point that looks like a flower petal!

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 5

Continue this with all wedges. At this point, I like to lay out my wedges and see how I would like to arrange them prior to sewing.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 6

Take two wedges and place them right sides together. Sew along one long edge with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Continue doing this, connecting all the wedges until they are sewn together.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 7

To form the center, I followed the instructions in the Dimensional Dresden Template instruction manual for the Yo-yo Decorative Center.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 8

Now, let’s attach all of these pieces together! Cut a piece of felt about 2″ in diameter larger than the opening in the center of the Dresden. Adhere this felt piece to the wrong side of the Dresden with fabric glue. Make sure that the fabric glue is only near the edge of the fabric.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 9

To attach the yo-yo to the center, use a needle and coordinating thread. Hand sew through the felt and the inner folded edge of the yo-yo so that the stitch is not seen from the front side of the Dresden.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 10

Hand sew the buttons to the center of the Dresden.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Step 11

Use fabric glue to adhere the Dresden to the fabric tote bag. Let the glue dry completely before using.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

The fabric is still flexible so that the bag can be collapsed and stored in a car, closet, etc.

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Flower Dresden Embellished Tote Bag AD

Are you ready to design your own Dresdens for tote bags, quilts, table runners, and more? Get 44% off the Sewing with Nancy Dimensional Dresden Template through July 30, 2017! 

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Comments

  1. Alaina bullock says

    June 8, 2017 at 9:56 am

    How cute, and such a great idea! I have a huge collection of tote bags, many which are plain and boring. After reading this though, those bags are about to become a lot more interesting! Thanks for the creative idea!

  2. Victoria says

    June 8, 2017 at 11:04 am

    You are so talented. I have gathered quite a bit of tote bags over the years as well from events and stuff. I usually give most to my mom because I’m honestly fine with just have 2-3 on hand. I will say that this tutorial is very detailed and it appears easy to follow, however, I am sure I would find a way to mess it up. Your work looks good though, you should consider selling them if you don’t already.

  3. Lisa Favre says

    June 8, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    This tote bag is perfect for the summertime! I’m actually looking for a lot of summer DIYs and this would be amazing to give to my friends. What perfect presents!!

  4. Lynzy & Co says

    June 8, 2017 at 7:57 pm

    OMG these are such a great idea. I love that they are super cute. I am a HUGE tote bag lover so this is something I think I might totally love. Thanks for sharing.

  5. Jacqui S says

    June 8, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    I absolutely love this tote bag! I am such a bag hoarder that my son is ready to throw all of them out LOL. I’ve never made one though so I may have to give this a try if I ever get up the motivation ha ha.

  6. Censie Sawyer says

    June 8, 2017 at 9:22 pm

    This turned out so cute. I love the colors. WE are always looking for fun crafts for us to do with the kids. This one would be perfect for a summer afternoon project. I think the kids woudl love to use it at the pool.

  7. mary says

    June 9, 2017 at 8:20 am

    What a super cute way to personalize a tote bag! I love the bright colored fabric you used!

  8. David Elliott says

    June 9, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    Don’t get me wrong. This looks like an amazing craft. And I am sure that I could use one of those bags for my groceries. Since they got rid of them in our state unless you want to pay 10 cents per bag, I know I have been in need of getting a new one. But you intimidated me when you got to that measuring and cutting board. I wasn’t sure which way was up. Really cool though. And great job!

  9. Ali Rost says

    June 9, 2017 at 8:15 pm

    I wish I was as creatively talented as you! I love what you’ve done to make such a cute bag. In fact, the last time I was at Whole Foods I bough one with a pretty flower on it, and to be honest, I think yours is better. What a fun was to add a little sparkle to your days x

  10. JenellBStewart says

    June 10, 2017 at 2:29 pm

    I have so many tote bags and like you I use them for grocery shopping, snacks for the kids and packing their overnight bags. Im not much of a sewer but this doesn’t look hard at all. My daughter would love to help me out with something like this.

  11. Mae Johnson says

    June 11, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    Wow, this is such an adorable craft to make! I can see the accent piece on my daughter’s art box or school backpack. I really need to invest on a sewing machine soon, so I’m keeping this in mind!

    Mae | http://www.thegospelofbeauty.org

  12. Kiwi says

    June 12, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    This is an adorable way to spruce up a tote bag! I used to sew but I am very rusty right now! I would love to get back into it and do something creative similar to this to a blank canvas tote!

   
   
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