BLOG REMIX 2 – Jolly Braid Tote Bag Pattern

We’re back for another season of blog remixes! We had so much fun with the remixed projects from last year that we’re going for round two! The blog remixes will be throwing it back to one of our tutorials with new fabrics, notions, and tips and tricks to inspire you to make your next project. Whether you’ve seen this project before or it’s your first time, there’s a remix project for everyone.

This month’s remix is the Jolly Braid Tote Bag, a beginner-friendly bag pattern with a signature braided look that looks intricate but is actually easy to do with help from Fat Jelly Braid Triangle paper! It starts with a Jolly Bar (a 5″ x 10″ precut exclusive to Fat Quarter Shop) and some background fabric.

Who’s Sewing Along?

Our blogger friends took this Jolly Braid Tote Bag to the next level! We love seeing the different fabrics they made theirs from and the tips they have to share. These are some really cute versions, don’t you agree?

Stephanie of Quilt n Party used Modern Background Colorbox from Zen Chic for Moda for the braid and Bella Solids in Graphite for the body of the bag. See more of her bag and some tips for making it over on her blog.

Geraldine of Living Water Quilter decided to make a two color tote of teal and purples. She added 4 additional 2.5 x 10″ strips and used the excess to make a matching pouch. She customized hers with a wider, cushioned strap. “The 5-inch strips have a 1/4-inch fold along the length of the strip, then folded in half to create a pocket for a 2-inch strip of Soft and Stable.” She has more details on the tote on her blog.

Mona Phelps of Bluegrass Stitches says, “I used University of Kentucky fabric plus yardage and jelly roll strips from my stash to make this gorgeous tote. My University of Kentucky fabric was directional, so I created my “C” piece by sewing together two smaller pieces that met at the bottom of the tote – that way, the fabric is right side up on both sides of the tote.” Check out her blog post for more details.

Tote Bag Tutorial

Are you ready to make this cute Jolly Braid Tote Bag? Let’s get started!

Supplies

Gather these supplies, and then follow this tutorial for step-by-step instructions.

• Purchase the Jolly Braid Tote Bag PDF Pattern
• 1 Jolly Bar
• 5/8 yard fabric for exterior
• 5/8 yard fabric for interior
• 1 Roll of Fat Jelly Braid Triangles on a Roll Paper
• 1 Pack of 1″ Polypro Strapping
• Soft and Stable

We were able to achieve the braided look that runs down the middle of the bag using the Fat Jelly Braid by Triangles on a Roll. Follow along with the video as Kimberly walks you through the Jolly Braid Tote Bag pattern step by step!

Share with #JollyBraidToteBag

We think this bag is tote-ally adorable! It’s perfect for shopping or a day at the park, and it makes an easy project for an adventurous beginner sewist! Be sure to share your projects using #JollyBraidToteBag and tag us (@fatquartershop) so we can see and share your work!

And that’s it! You now have yourself a cute and useful Jolly Braid Tote Bag, perfect for running around town. We hope you decide to make your own Jolly Braid Tote Bag and if you do, be sure to hashtag #JollyBraidToteBag so we can see and share your work. Happy quilting!

We’ll see you back here on September 16 for another blog remix!

Happy Quilting!

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