1. A tote bag in 10 steps You can make tote bags in so many different ways – here is one way for you to follow  make sure you have adult supervision if you are using fabric scissor, a sewing machine or iron
Please bring all completed bags to Ms.Sharma
If you would like to donate pencils, pens, ruler and any other stationary inside the bag for us to take you are more than welcome to 
Thank you for being a part of this project! Every bag is so special!

2. For the kenya bag project you will need: 1
For the kenya bag project you will need: 1. calico or fabric to cut out your pattern pieces (approx 1 metre depending on how big you would like your bag) Tip: upcycle by using old clothes or bedding etc! OR… You can buy pre-made tote bags from hobby craft for 50p!!! Buy and decorate it!!!  2. Fabric scissors (to cut your pattern pieces) Tip: If you do not have fabric scissors, sharp scissors will do but ask for an adults help! 3. Beads, fabric pens, thread, glue, fabric (Whatever you would like to use to decorate the front of your bag) Tip: Draw your design on paper first! something suitable for a child. 4. FABRIC PINS AND A SEWING MACHINE (to PIN AND sew your bag together) Tip: come and see ms.Sharma if you are from APS and do not have a sewing machine at home – or if you are from another school/project ask for help there ! Remember to bring all the pieces of your bag with you.

3. Making your bag: The pieces for your bag
STEP 1: CREATING YOUR BAG PATTERN PIECES
Lay your fabric out on a flat surface.
You can then use a ruler and pencil to measure
and draw out 30cm width x 40cm length.
(You need to do this bit twice! – you could use a nice colourful fabric for your back piece if you wanted to )
TIP: If you have an A3 piece of paper, you can use this to draw/cut around – measurements will be slightly different.
Then use fabric scissors to cut around both pieces.
STEP 2: CREATING YOUR HANDLE PATTERN PIECE
Lay your fabric out on a flat surface – If you have a colourful fabric, use that to add a colourful feature to the bag.
You can then use a ruler and pencil to measure
and draw out 10cm width x 60cm length.
(If your fabric is not long enough, machine sew two pieces together)
TIP: You can decide how long you would like the handle to be by making the length longer or shorter!
Then use fabric scissors to cut around the handle.
You will now have everything you need to begin making your bag!! Woohoo!

4. Making your bag: decorating the front of your bag
STEP 3: ON A PIECE OF PAPER DRAW A DESIGN
Remember to make it suitable for a young person and as creative as possible!
STEP 4: PUT YOUR DESIGN ONTO THE FRONT BAG PIECE
Make sure you have the correct bag piece.
Use a pencil and draw your design onto the front.
You can then be as creative as you want when it comes to adding the colour and features of your design onto the bag!
Now to tackle the handles!! Uh-oh!

5. Making your bag: The handle
STEP 6: NEATEN UP THE HANDLE
Fold the edges of the handle into the fold line of the handle.
(This is to make it nice and neat without having to turn it inside out!)
Then… fold the handle back over like you did before.
Pin down the open edge.
STEP 5: THE HANDLE
Take your handle.
Fold it in half and press down with your hands – If there is an adult and an iron around you could ask to iron it!
STEP 7: SEW THE HANDLE
If you have a sewing machine, carefully sew down 1cm from the edge.
You can use a straight or zigzag stitch for this bit!
NOW TO PUT YOUR BAG ALL TOGETHER 

6. Making your bag: PUTTING YOUR BAG TOGETHER
STEP 8: TIDY UP THE TOP OF YOUR BAG
Lay both the front and back pieces with the right sides on the surface.
Measure 2cm from the top with a ruler.
Fold and pin down.
If you want it super neat….
Sew along on the right side of both pieces 1.5cm from the top.
STEP 9: PUTTING THE BAG TOGETHER
Lay the two bag pieces together with right sides together.
Make sure the neat edge from step 8 is at the top!
Pin around the bag – make sure to leave the neat edge open!
Use a sewing machine to sew around the three edges 1.5cm from the edge.
When you have sewn it, turn the bag the correct way round.
NOW TO ADD THE HANDLE! 

7. Making your bag: Stitching on the handle
Bag completed 
Making your bag: Stitching on the handle
STEP 10: THE HANDLE
Pin the handle to the side seams of the bag at the top.
Sew the handle into place using the sewing machine.
To reinforce the handle you can sew in a square and then make a cross in the middle.
Quality Control Check:
Make sure you have trimmed any loose threads and made sure pins have been removed!
NOW YOU ARE AN EXPERT – MAKE ANOTHER ONE! 