Travel shoe tote tutorial

While we're on the subject of travel, I wanted to share a great little craft project that I whipped up this week. I got this idea from a library book that I checked out ages ago and took notes from, and with our Disneyland trip as an incentive, I finally got around to making it. It's a quick, easy, cheap thrill that turns out a really handy finished product. So let's get started!

Materials:

• 1/2 yard solid-colored fabric, 54 inches wide
• Remnant of patterned fabric at least 16 x 15 inches
• 1 yard cord

First, you're going to cut four rectangles from your fabrics. Cut two rectangles 18 1/2 inches by 15 inches from the solid-colored fabric (I used plain unbleached muslin), which will be the lining for your tote. Then cut one more rectangle 16 x 15 inches from the solid-colored fabric. This will be the back of the finished tote. Finally, cut one rectangle 16 x 15 inches from your patterned fabric for the front of the tote. I used a Japanese linen with a cute Paris-themed print. (This is a great project to showcase those special fabrics where you can only afford to buy a little.) If you're using a directional print, as I did, be sure that the orientation of your rectangle works with the pattern.

With right sides together, join the 16 x 15-inch rectangles (one solid and one patterned) and sew together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance on three sides. Clip corners and set aside.

With right sides together, join the 18 1/2 x 15-inch rectangles for your lining and pin together at edges. Before you sew, you're going to need to make some small but important markings. At the bottom, mark a 4-inch opening for turning. Then, on the top right edge, measure 3/4 inch from the top and make a mark. Measure 5/8 inch down from that mark and make a second mark. This will be an opening that will allow you to insert a drawstring cord in your finished tote. Sew the lining rectangles together on three sides using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving openings as marked. Clip corners.

Turn the outside of your tote (with the patterned fabric) right side out and press, being sure to make the seams and corners nice and sharp. With right sides together, insert the outside into the lining, matching seams and raw edges, and pin together. You'll notice that the bottoms of the outer bag and lining don't meet, but don't panic -- we're going somewhere with that. Stitch a 1/2-inch seam all the way around the top edge of the two bags, making sure that your side seam allowances are opened out as you go.

Now turn the bag right side out through the opening in the bottom of the lining. Smooth out lining so that the corners and bottom edges fit neatly into the outer bag. After doing so, you will be left with about an inch of excess lining fabric hanging out over the top edge of the outer bag. This will be the casing for your drawstring. Press the casing out nice and sharp, and topstitch 1/8 inch from the top and the bottom of the casing.

Press all the seams of your finished tote to make everything smooth. All that remains is to use a safety pin to thread your cord through the opening in the casing, and voila! You've got a classy way to protect your clothes and let your shoes travel in style. Now go somewhere and enjoy it!