I made this Basket Tote using the free pattern and tutorial from Sew Can She, link here. The pattern and tutorial were easy to understand. There is also a link in the instructions to a tutorial for making the handles which I also followed, link here. I chose this bag to sew because I think the shape is great and I love a bag that can stand on it's own. I used fabric from my Secret Garden collection in my Spoonflower Shop.
This pattern has the option of using a zipper or a magnetic closure. I chose the zipper and used a Handbag Zipper from ByAnnie.com. Its a great zipper. I also used by annie's Soft and Stable for the stabilizer. I love this stabilizer because its light and flexible yet really holds it's shape. If you are placing any order from ByAnnie.com, I recommend you order the zipper color card to have on hand for ordering in the future. I made my own bias tape, which is the first time I have done this. It's pretty easy to make and I think it really adds a nice detail. There is a tutorial link in the pattern but I learned how from a Youtube tutorial by Dana Willard of MADE Everyday. I used the Clover 25mm bias tape maker to make double fold bias tape.
I followed the pattern with the exception of the lining. I prefer the lining inside a bag to be more secure. After the outside pieces were quilted to the stabilizer, I used them as a guide to cut the lining pieces. I added a zipper pocket on one side of the lining and a divided pocket to the other side. Then, with the outside and lining placed wrong sides together, I sewed the seams leaving the raw edge to the outside of the bag. I covered the seams with the bias tape using the blanket stitch on my sewing machine. Then I sewed the zipper in on the top, and finished it off with bias tape.
This is a perfect medium sized bag. I sewed this in early fall so It will just have to be decoration for my sewing space until spring. I haven't decided if I'm going to use it or give it as a gift.
