Sewing With Border Prints—A Simple Solution
When it is time to sew a new tote, choose a fabric border print and let the artistic design simplify the sewing process.
Border print fabrics are readily available and easy to fussy-cut. If you aren’t familiar with the term, fussy-cut, it means to feature a certain portion of the textile print in your sewing design. Using the Trace ‘n Create Hobo Tote Template collection, the designer upgrade is quite simple.
Supplies, fabric, and notions:
- Pellon Peltex Interfacing
- Fine-tip non-permanent marking pen
- Border Print Fabric: Note from Nancy: Use the fabric requirements listed on the Hobo Tote pattern. Keep in mind that you may need extra yardage to center the design. The fabric from Lecien is, unfortunately, no longer available. Shop at your local fabric retailer for the newest in border prints.
- Trace ‘n Create Hobo Tote Bag Template
Modify the Template
- To easily fussy-cut the border print, we’ll create a full front/full back template from the provided pattern as described in the Hobo Tote: Style B.
- Lay the bag template on the interfacing.
- Use a non-permanent marking pen to trace around the template marking center front/back. Notice the center is not the edge of the template, but rather the marked seam allowance line shown in yellow.
- Flip the template to the left-hand side.
- Align the center front markings and trace the left side of the bag.
- Make two interfacing templates: one front and one back.
- Cut out the interfacing templates.
- Position each interfacing shape over the border print.
Note from Nancy: I decided to only showcase the floral portion of the fabric design. Notice that the Peltex is positioned with the bag base plus the 1/4″ seam allowance on the green section. 
- Cut the shape.
- Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric, following the manufacturer’s directions.
- Repeat these steps to create a bag front and bag back.
- Join the bag front and back by stitching the bottom seam.
From this point, the border print designer tote can be stitched following the directions for the Hobo Tote: Style B. Read more about the Hobo Tote construction on this blog post.
Watch Hobo Totes-Casual To Classic on Sewing With Nancy online.
For a chance to win a Trace ‘n Create Hobo Tote Bag Template from Clover Needlecraft, Inc., please leave a comment below sharing your plans to make a border print Hobo Tote Bag.
Thank you for sharing your comments, in last week’s post, regarding The Simple Simon Guide to Patchwork Quilting. The random winner of a copy of this book, compliments of Interweave Press, is Kathleen Sackett. She said: This book sounds so exciting and just what I have been looking for to improve my sewing and quilting skills.
Bye for now,
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Sue H
What a timely offer! I was just looking at my current purse and lamenting the wear ‘n’ tear that is showing. Need to make a new one and this would be perfect!
Carol
I plan to make a tote using my own border print….I’ve been playing with Sashiko embroidery and will incorporate that into a border print….wish me luck!
Ilana
This looks like a great way to make a bag.
Robyn
Love that bag! Reminds me of my garden on a sunny day. Would be sew fun to make and use the bag. Thanks for the opportunity!!
Susan Spiers
I love this idea! I have a lot of border prints that this would be fabulous in-great giveaway-thanks Susan
Naomi
Beautiful tote. I have some beautiful border fabric in mind to make this tote
Carrie Diamont
What a beautiful bag and a great reminder that these templates are so easy to use! Now that it’s summer I need a beach tote, it looks like view b, made a bit bigger would be a great tote!
Thanks for the inspiration Nancy!
Debbie Wetzel
What a beautiful bag! I would love to make two similar bags…one for my sister and one for me!
Dawn
This looks like a great idea for a one of a kind bag. Thanks for sharing!
BevM
I would be thrilled to win the drawing for the Hobo Bag Template, because I keep buying purse fabrics, but never get around to sewing them!
Annette
I have a beautiful border print that is just waiting for a project. Can’t wait to try.
E. Ann
Yes I love totes and want to learn to make my own. This book would be a great resource and starting point. Thanks for more inspiration!!!!
Kitty
One of my favorite items to sew are basic totes and bags. The trace and create hobo bag looks to be a great place to learn more advance skills. I think totes / bags make wonderful gifts and are usually a quick project. I am beginning my sewing journey and it is so much fun and rewarding.
Rebecca Shumard
I have been planing to make a new purse with a different Nancy Z. template. I love the beautiful green border print. Some of the flowers could be embelished with embroidery or beads.
Helen Grantham
I would love to have and use the Hobo Bag template set. It looks so easy to use. I have the perfect fabric in mind for a new bag. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Mary Jo Barclay
I have never made a hand bag but would love to give it a try. Thank you for the offer. Mary Jo Barclay
maria elena blecha
Perfect timing!!! I was organizing my fabric and found perfect fab for a bag, definitely need to win!!!!! Thanks for the inspiration
Marty
I’ve only used border prints on aprons so liked the tips for cutting with a temolate to make other things.
Helen Owen
Love the look of the border print bag – I will have to try this!
Diana Smith
I love this pattern idea. I have a beautiful clear navy with sunflowers on it. I think it would make up beautiful in this. I was looking for something special to use it with. Thanks for the great idea.
Karen
I love this idea. I have never had the courage to make a bag, but this looks so fun I’m just going to go for it 🙂
Carol
Oh my, I never thought of using borders prints for a tote. What a great idea! The tote is so pretty. I have a couple of border prints in my stash, that I will look at tonight and see how they might work, or a trip to the quilt shop is in order. The tote pattern is very classy looking – love it! On my list of to do now!
Louise
Love the look of this bag, the simplicity and style. Will have to make one of these for sure, well, actually, I will have to make two, one for me, one for my sister, her name is Nancy too! She always gets one of whatever I make!! Love to surprise her in the mail!!
Christine Hurt
I love totes and switching to use different ones. I was just thinking I need a new project and would love to win. Thank you for your offer and all your sewing videos and tips!
Pam Hopp
I have had a lovely home dec border print in my stash for years just waiting for the perfect project—this is it! Thank you for the inspiration.
Joyce Hill
I’d love to use a border print to make a Hobo Print Bag.
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Jeanne Evans
I have a print I bought because I just had to have it. You know how we are. This pattern would be great for that. Thank you.
Cyndi
Thank you for sharing another great idea!! I will need to search for a border print! Thank you for the give away!
Elaine R
Love the idea of a border print for the bag and I have border prints and the need for a new tote!
Madeline
I have several boarder prints I couldn’t live with out. This is a fantastic idea to use them to match the outfit.
Elaine
I love border prints but feel too short to wear them. This would be a great way for me rouse them!
glima
I have a batik print border that would be perfect for this project!
Mary B
I, too, have a pretty border print in my stash that would make a really nice tote!!
Becky H
I love this pattern. I plan on updating the pattern for hidden zipper on the outside & insides. Love the look of the pattern in the email!
Laurie
I am retired, and have happily returned to some hobbies I didn’t have time for while working. I’ve been looking for some fun and fairly easy sewing projects, and this one hits a home run! I’d like to make a border print bag for myself, and other styles for my friends and family. The possibilities are endless!
Pat
What a wonderfully easy way to create a one of a kind tote bag. Can’t wait to try this technique. Thanks for this chance to win.
Carol
I would love to win. The summer bag that I am using is looking pretty tired. I am fabric shopping for the perfect print.
Caroline S
That is so cool and clever! Scary, but cool to make…
Ruth L
I’ve watched you make bags on your TV program and have always wanted to try your templates! I have a fun border print in my stash just waiting for the perfect project – this would be a match made in heaven! Great summer fun!
Mary Deeter
Border prints always call to me. This looks like a great bag to make. I have made 2 other purses that were much more complex. I like the way this finishes!! Thanks for the chance to win.
Janine R
I never thought to use a border print for a handbag, but I love the one shown here. Thanks for the idea, Nancy.
Peggy V
I have the perfect border print that I purchased at Sewing Weekend. This is the perfect project for that print!! Thank you for the the opportunity to win the Hobo template!!!
Becky M
What a great way to use all the beautiful border prints in my stash! Thank you Nancy for all your wonderful techniques, tips, and templates!
Donna Telley
Another inspiration from Nancy. I can’t wait to find the perfect pattern and have my own masterpiece. Thank you for letting us play to win!
Emily
This offer is fantastic. I was shopping yesterday for a handbag and after three stores could not find one I liked. I would love to make my own with this template.
Bonnye
I love border prints but never know what to do with them. The bag is perfect. Thanks for your good ideas.
Tess
Have seen Nancy use her bag templates and they look oh so easy to use. I LOVE the idea of using border prints for a purse. I have a patriotic border print that would look wonderful in a bag. Thanks for the great idea!!
Karol
I have only used a border print a couple times. This looks like the perfect place to use one
Myra U.
I have some Jinny Beyer RJR border prints that are in dark colors. I plan to use these to make myself and my three girls (dd’s and ddil) a tote for Christmas. I’m pretty slow, but these look like they would be fast, even for me!
Nataly
Love those kits, you can use it over an over again. A lots of possibilities. Will love to make one with border ballerina for little girl dance bag.
Dawn C Walton
The trace & create hobo handbag would be great to try.
I would love to win the template/ All your projects are great
I love your TV show.
Dawn ;
Virginia
Must add “me, too” for I have had a wonderful border print that I have saved for something special and this tote would be worthy of the fabric. Great idea for use of fabric!
Anne Z.
THanks for the great idea. I love working with border prints, as the fabric does the work and I get the credit!!!
Claudia Orozco
Thinking this would be a good gift for my son’s teacher!!
Kay
What a great idea. Love border prints but never thought of a tote bag!
Helen
I have been saving some “special” border fabric and now I know how I will use it. Had never thought about a tote bag.
Thanks Nancy.
Mary
My daughters will love these.
Deanna McDermott
I have just the right fabric for this project. It’s left over from a quilt border just waiting to show off on this cute bag.
Edna Marks
I love working with border prints, this is another great idea for me to try! Love it!
Carole Haas
I have watched your shows on TV for many years, but my PBS station stopped carrying all sewing and craft shows. So thankfully I am able to continue watching you via my tablet. Thanks for your dedication in bringing us quality shows these many years! I would love to win your trace ‘n create hobo bag template.
Gail Beam
I have only used border prints when making the crib bed skirts for my grandchildren’s cribs many(lol) years ago. I love this idea of using border prints for tote bags!
Carol
I would love to surprise everybody when I wear this really attractive bag and then be able to say, “Oh, I made it !” I can see a few mouths drop open with disbelief!
Elaine
I believe I have a border print in my stash that would look good as a bag or tote. Great idea.
Cathy R.
I retired the end of last year and have been sewing some simple items since I love to sew but never had the time with my full time job. I have been watching lots of your tutorials. I would love to make some of these bags for myself and as gifts.
Michelle Hall
This is such a creative way to use a border print, and it will be fun to go shopping for the right print to make this tote
Berenice
I just made a cute border print dress. I guess I need to make a matching tote now!!
Jody
I have a number of ‘border prints’ in my stash. This is an excellent way to make use of them. Thanks…
Renea Yarolim
I love to buy border prints but don’t use many of them but now I would like to try making this bag. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Mo L
Would love to try the hobo handle part of the pattern. I have used border prints for regular, small cross body type bags that have an outer pocket.
Starla
I’ve squirreled away several border prints — I’m eager to use them.
Kelly Sasman
I have some fabric I got while in China a few years ago that now I know what I want to use it for! It would be perfect for a Hobo Bag using these templates. Thanks so much for always being my inspiration!
Flo
I’ve been designing and sewing a lot of small purses and totes lately. I would enjoy making a border print bag. Thank you for the chance.
Judie Kapraun
This would be a great opportunity for my daughter, who is an art teacher, who is now is interested in sewing, to learn an easy way to make a stylish tote for herself (and me-hint hint).
Cherie
What a great idea! I have several border prints in my stash that could work well. Now if I only had the Hobo tote pattern ……
LindaC in AZ
I have just started to sew totes and could use all the help I can get.
Debe
This is a great idea. I don’t have a lot of border print, but will have to check the “stash” or even embroider a border to use for this idea.
Karen Payton
I can’t wait to search for just the right border print to make a new tote bag! I never thought of border prints in this way, what a great idea.
Karen Payton
I will definitely be looking at border prints in a whole light. What a great idea. Thanks
Maria H
This post gave me another way to use some bright border prints I have. Thank you!
Tina
I would love to find some great border prints. This is such a good idea.
Janice Smith
Wow! I absolutely LOVE the fabric you used in this tote!! It is beautiful!
Dorothy Mace
Nancy, thank you for the info. on tote bags.I plan to try the insert material you use in the bottom of bags. You help me so much with your directions.
Dorothy Mace
Your ideas & help is great in sewing totes .I plan to try some of your bags ,such as the quilted bag I saw today on Pinterest. with border prints.
Candice
I bought a border print – not realizing that’s what I’d done!! Perfect for a bag, and I have most of the other supplies already! I can’t wait to get started!! Love your posts and ideas – makes me think differently about some of my fabrics begging to be used.
Candice
Now I know why I hadn’t used the border print I’d acquired! (One of those, “oops, should have paid attention” purchases!) I have most of the materials needed and can’t wait! Your great ideas always provide me with inspiration to look at my collection with a different view. Thanks!
Suzanne. Tetreault
Great idea for border prints !
Peggy
The trace & create hobo handbag would be great to try. I never thought about using border prints. I would love to give this a whirl. Thanks so much for your continued great ideas and education.
Amruta
I have this template also for Florida bag. Is it possible to create messanger bag with any of these templates.
Thank you
Mary
Beautiful bag and great tips. Thanks.
Donna
LOVE IT!! I would use some of my many layer cakes and fat quarters to make fun fabric bags.
Judith Cabaniss
Your trace and create templates are such a big help for those of us who want easy instructions and guaranteed results. I have your E Tablet and Paper Tablet Keepers templates. Thanks for all you do to keep us sewing.
Giuditta Reppi
I love working with your bag templates, Nancy; they make it so easy to cut out a project!
Diane Gregory
I have the perfect border print for this. Happy camper here!