How We Use It: Slash Cutter (+ Chenille Tote Bag Tutorial)
Hi everyone, Shannon and Jason here (@embracethecreativechaos on IG)! If you have been along for our creative journey or have any of our books, you already know we have a thing for tote bags. Okay… Shannon has a thing for tote bags. Scrappy Wonky, sashiko, kogin-zashi, quilted, hand stitched, leftover fabric from a project, rescued and reworked ties and jeans are all called into action to create more totes. Thank goodness she can’t make shoes (maybe in due time).When we were asked to create a project using the Clover Slash Cutter, we decided a Chenille tote was the way we were going to go this time. Fuzzy and worked in sweet-and-sour sucker inspired colors (y’all remember those… right?) from RJR Fabric, this is the perfect accessory to carry to the grocery store, dance class, a trip to the shops, or a stylish carry-all bag for that travel project you’ve been working on. Our sweet-and-sour color palette is enough to brighten up even the greyest of winter days, but you can pick your favorite fabric color according to the season. We suggest keeping this pattern handy, because you’re definitely going to want to make more than one.
NOTES:
- Dimensions: 12 in (30.5 cm) x 14 in (35.5 cm)
MATERIALS:
- various fabrics
- 5 colors of RJR cotton fabric
- Aurifil 50 WT Thread
- Slash Cutter
- Bias Tape Maker
- Rotary Cutter
- Bordeaux Scissors
- Patchwork Pins
CUTS:
- Body piece (5)
- 13 in (33 cm) x 30 in (76 cm)
- Lining (1)
- 13 in (33 cm) x 34 in (86 cm)
- Handles (2)
- 4 in (10 cm) x 24 in (61 cm)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut your fabric to the size listed above. The important part here is that you cut all your fabric square to the grain so your diagonal lines will be sewn on the bias. These bias lines are what makes thechenille magic happen without ending up with threading edges.
1) Cut & Pin
- Make a stack of fabric starting with the darkest color for thebase fabric square then adding 4more rectanglescentered on top of the base. We stacked our fabric from darkest to lightest. The dark purple will be the backing fabric that we don’t cut through. You can choose how you layer your stack.
- Pin to secure the layers in place.You will be sewing on the bias and the fabric layers will shift if they are not secure. We are also going to recommend you work with a fresh, sharp needle and lengthen the stitch length on your machine a bit.
2) Mark Your Lines
- With the fabric facing you laid out longwise, mark the center line and points that are 7.5″to the left and right of the center line.Using the diagram provided, draw the first diagonal lines from bottom center to the left and right marks.
- Next, draw a line from the bottom right corner to the top center stopping at the perpendicular intersecting line. Repeat for the left side.
3) Sew
- Sew straight stitch along each marked line. Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of eachline to secure.
- Beginning at the inside of the stack, sew lines1/4″to 3/8″from the each of the initiallines, backstitching to secure.Use the diagram to ensure your lines angle the correct way.TIP: Your presser foot is probably the perfect width for this. Use your previous sewn line as a guide against your presser foot to keep your lines straight.
- Continue sewing lines 1/4″to 3/8″apart starting at the center moving toward theedges until you are about 1/4″from the end points.
4) Slash Cutter Magic
- Using the shortguide, insert the guide of the Slash Cutter intothe longest channel created between the rows of stitching. Make sure the guide is inserted between the 4 layers of fabric and the base layer of fabric. Do NOT cut through the bottom layer!!!
- NOTE: You will only slash cut the diagonal lines. The center lines that are parallel to the grain of the fabric will not be cut.
- BONUS TIP: Even though the shorter guide is used for cutting curves, the shorter guide allows you to cut MOST of the way to the end of your slashed rows to the stitch line. You can use a pair of scissors to cut a starter slit through the top 4 pieces of fabric to make your blade start more smoothly. You will still need to clean up the ends with a pair of scissors, but this makes the work go much faster with less chance for puncturing the base layer.
- Continue slashing until alldiagonalchannels are cut.
- TIP: Hold the fabric taut as you slide the Slash Cutter along the channels.This makes the blade glide easily along each channel.
- With a sharp pair of scissors, go back and finish cutting the ends of each the channel right up to the perpendicular diagonal sewing line. BEWARE of cutting through your base layer!
- Machine wash and dry the tote body.
5) Lining & Handles
- Fold the lining fabric in half widthwise and sew up each side using a 1/2″seam allowance.
- Insert and pull the handle fabric through a 2″ bias tape maker. Press flat.
- Fold handles in half lengthwise and press again.
- Sew just inside the left and right sides of the folded handles to secure. Assemble the tote.
- Fold the washed and dried tote body in half with right side facing. Secure with pins or Wonder Clips.
- Sew up each side of the tote using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Turn right side out.
- Matching up the side seams, insert the lining into the tote body.
- Fold the top edge of the lining to the top edge of the tote body (1 in/25 mm fold). Press.
- Fold again a second 1 in (25 mm) over the top edge of the tote body. The lining will now overlap the edge by 1″ (25 mm). Press again. Pin to secure.
- Insert the ends of each handle under the folded lining 1 in (25 mm).
- Sew around the bottom folded edge of the lining, roughly 2 mm from the edge, securing the lining and handles to the tote.
- Flip the handles up and press if needed. Then sew a Box “X” where the handles lay on the top of the tote to secure.
Thanks for coming along this journey with us! Tag us (@embracethecreativechaos) and Clover (@cloverusa) on socials for us to see your final product!
