Star Wars® Fabric Tote – Quilted with Metallic Thread

Create a Star Wars® Fabric Tote for “Star Wars Day™”, happening in a couple of days, and head to the cinema in style! This featured pattern comes in three sizes; and the small one featured here is perfect for toting a blanket, sweatshirt, snacks and more. The side pockets hold your phone and keys (and more) to hold everything you need for the perfect movie outing.

The Star Wars® Revenge of the Sith (episode III), has been released for a limited run in theaters, so you can watch a great Star Wars® flick on the big screen with your new Star Wars® Fabric Tote!

STAR WARS FABRIC TOTE SUPPLIES

• All the Things Tote Pattern by Knot + Thread Design
• Sulky Thread
  • 50 wt. Cotton (construction)
  • Metallic, Glowy or CRY Reflective Thread (quilting)
• Fabrics (yardages listed are for the small size, measuring 11″ H x 124″ W x 8″ D)
  • Main: 1 yard of quilting cotton fabric or canvas
  • Lining: 1 yard of quilting cotton fabric
  • Accent (binding & handles): 3/4 yard of quilting cotton fabric
• Light- to mediumweight foam interlining
• 1 3/4 yards of 1 1/2″-wide webbing
• Size 80/12 Universal Needles
• Size 90/14 Topstitch Needles

ABOUT THE TOTE PATTERN

The All the Things Tote is a great pattern with lots of customization options! It comes in three sizes (smallest size shown) but each one is 11″ H and 8″ D. The width is the only thing that changes based on size. The small measures 14″ W, the medium measured 16″ W and the large measures 18″ wide. The medium and large varieties also require a stabilizer base, such as Craf-Tex, to help keep their shape.

When I go to the movies, I always pack a lightweight blanket, hoodie sweatshirt and a water bottle. I may also bring some snacks…but I also always order a popcorn. This tote held all of my movie-going essentials with room to spare. And I made the small size!

I can imagine bringing the large size of this tote to the beach or lake and having enough room for a few towels, several pairs of goggles, and even a mini soft-sided cooler would fit inside.

Decorative webbing is a fun choice for the Star Wars® tote, or make your own handles using a favorite Star Wars® themed fabric. I chose webbing handles, and they are nice and sturdy.

I was able to stash my sunglasses, phone and keys in just one side panel pocket. Tha’s how roomy they are! And the foam interlining gave everything a nice cushion of protection.

Soft and Stable is recommended for the interlining. However, I used a loftier foam and I love the end result. You may need to trim the seam allowances down before applying the bias binding, if you go with a thicker foam.

TOTE QUILTING TIPS

To go along with the Star Wars® theme, I chose a comic book fabric print, featuring classic Star Wars® characters and phrases. I also chose a Sulky Poly Sparkle™ metallic thread for the quilting, as a play on the the “stars” of Star Wars®.

Poly Sparkle Thread is the easiest metallic thread to sew. It’s made of mostly polyester with flecks of metallic running through it. I didn’t have to make any adjustments to my machine to sew this thread with ease. However, I do recommend swapping to a 90/14 Top Stitch Needle and lengthening the stitch to 3.5mm.

Sulky Glowy and CRY Threads also are great choices for quilting a Star Wars®-themed tote bag. Glowy comes in seven colors, but all of them glow a greenish color. CRY is a reflective thread, so it may be a distraction in the movie theater during scened with flashes of light if you’re not careful!

You can choose to do any quilting you like for the tote. I stitched a crosshatch pattern, using my quilting guide to ensure my stitching rows were evenly spaced. But, you can also plot your quilting lines, using a removable marker or chalk, prior to sewing.

Make sure to use the same thread in the bobbin for quilting, so the inside is just as pretty as th

FABRIC PRINT TIPS

Because the featured Star Wars® fabric was a directional print, I cut two rectangles for the exterior rather than one. I rotated the print and pieced together the two rectangles to now have a lower-edge seam. This way, when the short edges become the upper edge, both exterior sides show the print motifs right side up.

If not using a directional print, or if working with a solid fabric, you can use one rectangle for the exterior and not have a lower-edge seam at all.

In case this is confusing to you, the entire step is explained in the pattern!

STAR WARS® FABRIC TOTE FINISHING

The pattern also recommends to machine stitch all of the binding, for both the side panel pockets, upper edges and the tote finishing. However, I opted to hand sew the folded binding edges for a more accurate finish. I felt there was no way I’d be able to manipulate the bag under the presser foot to have a straight binding stitch finish. And hand sewing didn’t take much time at all!

Here is my finished tote, in action at the theater! How fitting is it to use a Star Wars® Fabric Tote while watching a Star Wars® movie on the big screen? You can see it’s comfortable enough to even hold on your lap, but also flexible enough to stash next to you or on an empty seat. The tote stands up on its own nicely, too.

Happy sewing! And May the FOURTH be With You® (almost)!