Adorable Drawstring Tote for Kids

1. With right sides together, layer a solid blue 13 X 17" rectangle and a black-and-white print 13 X 17" rectangle. Center 12-3/4 X 16-3/4" batting rectangle on top; pin all layers together. Sew around three sides, leaving one short edge (the bottom) open. Turn right side out; press.
2. Turn raw edges of Step 1 unit 1/4" to wrong side. Machine-stitch 1/8" from edges to close opening and make a bag panel. Quilt bag panel as desired. We machine-quilted parallel lines 3/4" apart (Diagram 1).
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make and quilt a second bag panel.

1. Referring to Diagram 2, sew together six assorted novelty print 2-1/2 X 7" rectangles along long edges to make a pocket rectangle. Press seams open to reduce bulk.
2. With right sides together, layer pocket rectangle and solid blue 7 X 13" rectangle. Center 6-3/4 X 12-3 X 4" batting rectangle on top; pin all layers together. Sew around three sides, leaving one long edge (the bottom) open, to create pocket panel. Turn right side out; press.
3. Quilt pocket panel as desired. We machine-quilted an all-over stipple.
4. Topstitch 1/8" from top edge of panel for added durability.

Piece black-and-white stripe 2 X 42" strips to make one long strip. Fold strip in half lengthwise, wrong side inside; press. Open up strip, then turn in raw edges to meet at center fold line (Diagram 3). Re-fold along center fold line and press. Stitch 1/8" away from long, double-fold edge. Cut prepared strip into two straps/drawstrings of equal lengths. (Optional: Cut a 6"-long name tag strap from prepared strip; set aside. Cut remaining prepared strip into two straps/drawstrings.)

1. Fold solid blue 3 X 12-1/2" rectangle in half lengthwise, right side inside. Sew along long edges and turn right side out. Tuck raw ends 1/4" to the inside; press. Topstitch ends closed to make a casing rectangle. Repeat to make a second casing rectangle.
2. Position a casing rectangle on lining side of each bag panel with casing top edge 1" from top of bag panel and casing centered across panel width. Sew through all layers 1/8" from each long edge of casing rectangle, backstitching at each end of stitching for added durability (Diagram 4).

1. Using permanent fabric pen, write child's name in center of solid white 2 X 3" rectangle.
2. Sew red-and-orange dot 1 X 3" strips to long edges of solid white rectangle. Add red-and-orange dot 1 X 3" strips to remaining edges to make name tag front as shown. Press all seams toward strips.
3. With right sides together, layer name tag front and red-and-orange dot 3 X 4" rectangle; pin together. Sew around three sides, leaving one short edge open (the side that will be attached to the name tag strap). Turn right side out; press.
4. Slip 2-1/4 X 3-1/4" interfacing rectangle inside name tag. Tuck raw edges of open end under interfacing; insert 6"-long strap about 1/2", then press to fuse all layers together. Using jeans needle, topstitch 1/8" from edges and 1/8" from seam between solid white and red-and-orange dot to make name tag.