Create a beautiful quilted tote bag with patriotic flair using Star Spangled Stitches embroidery designs. This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to combine patchwork and machine embroidery to make a stylish, functional bag you’ll love to carry or gift.

When I discovered the Designs by JuJu Star Spangled Stitches block sets, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to create a unique and meaningful tote bag that would showcase my love for all things patriotic. The Star Spangled Stitches sets feature a range of classic Americana-inspired designs, including stars, stripes, and other iconic symbols, designed to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. By combining these elements, you can craft a tote bag that’s not only visually stunning but also serves as a proud expression of your patriotism.

Supplies

Check out the DBJJ team’s favorite supplies in the Designs by JuJu Amazon store.

Notes:

I used ByAnnie’s Soft and Stable instead of batting to give the tote a bit more structure. Of course, you can use batting if you prefer. If you choose batting, I recommend Designs by JuJu + loftySOFT™ Batting.

I used a variety of fabrics from my stash. Cut the background fabrics according to the cutting chart. I recommend you fuse Designs by JuJu+ fuseEZ to the background fabric to help it hold up to the dense satin stitching in these designs. In addition to the background fabrics, you will need a variety of fabrics for the appliqué shapes.

There are two ways to do the lining for this tote:

  1. You can quilt the lining to the front panel by “stitching in the ditch,” then finish the edges with bias binding after assembling the bag. That’s how I made my tote.
  2. Or, you can make the lining from fabric pieces sized like the bag’s panels. Place the lining fabric on the outside of the bag, right sides together, and sew around the top. Then, turn the bag right-side out through a small opening at the bottom of the lining, and close it by hand or machine once it's turned.

Let's Get Started

There’s no specific pattern for this tote bag—it’s made up of a front panel, a back panel, two side gussets, and one bottom gusset. The first thing you’ll want to decide is how big you want your bag to be. For my bag’s front and back panels, I used 8 blocks each: four 8x8 designs and two 5x5 designs. I also added two 3x6 quilt-as-you-go designs, but I trimmed half an inch off each side to make them 3x5. This gave me panels about 21 inches wide by 16 inches tall. Just be sure to stitch all your blocks following the instructions included with the design files you download.

After stitching all your blocks, lay them out to visualize them all put together. Once you're happy with the arrangement, stitching the blocks together just inside the fabric placement line on the back will give you neat seams. I also like switching to a 90/14 needle when stitching blocks together—it's my personal favorite for this part.

Panel 1 laid out before being stitched together
Panel 2 laid out
Lining inside the tote after being quilted to the panels

Adding a backing fabric to the finished panels and then stitching in the ditch is a neat way to quilt the backing to the panels and create an easy lining. Once all the panels are attached to the gusset, covering the raw seam edges with bias binding will give it a nice, polished finish. 

Once the panels are sewn together and the backing fabric is quilted on, I like to round the bottom corners of my panels. I find it makes sewing easier, but feel free to go with square or boxed corners if that suits you better. I used a 6.5” circular template to shape my corners evenly.

My 6.5” circular template

I made the side and bottom gussets using ten 5” x 5” blocks, three design blocks per side, and four quilt-as-you-go blocks in scrap fabric for the bottom gusset. I decided on the total length of the gusset after I pieced together the front and back panels and rounded the bottom corners. I laid one flat and ran a tape measure along the edge. It measured about 50”. It is important that you orient the side gusset blocks correctly, so they face upright on each side. I stitched the gussets together, so I had one long gusset.

One-half of the side gusset
The other half of the gusset, after I stitched the two side gussets to the bottom gusset

Attaching Panels 1 and 2 to the Gusset

  1. Mark centers.
    • Fold Panel 1 in half and place a pin at the fold to mark the center.
    • Fold the gusset in half and place a pin at its fold to mark the center.
  2. Align right sides together.
    • With right sides together, match the center pin of Panel 1 to the center pin of the gusset.
  3. Clip from the center out.
    • Working from the center toward each end, clip the gusset to Panel 1 at regular intervals so the edges align smoothly. Ease any fullness in as needed.
  4. Position on the machine.
    • For best control, sew with the flat piece (Panel 1) against the bed and the gusset on top. This helps feed curved or bulky edges more evenly.
  5. Sew with a ¼” seam allowance.
    • I prefer a zipper foot so I can stitch close to the edge and maintain a consistent ¼” seam. Sew slowly, stopping as needed to readjust and ensure the edges line up.
  6. Repeat the same process to attach Panel 2 to the other edge of the gusset: mark centers, align right sides together, clip from center out, and sew with a ¼” seam.

Take it slow when sewing curves or bulky seams. Stop frequently to reposition so edges remain even.

Finishing the Raw Edges 

You will finish the inside edges and the top of the bag with bias binding.

  1. Choose your binding fabric.
    • You can use contrasting fabric for the binding as I did, or make it from your lining fabric so that it will blend in.
  2. Prepare your bias binding.
  3. Attach the binding.
    • Align the raw edge of the binding with the raw edges of the tote. 
    • Stitch the binding to the tote, then fold it over the raw edge to the inside and either topstitch or hand-stitch in place.
Edges are covered with bias binding. Notice the tabs used to attach the straps
Finished inside

Completing the Straps

For the straps, I used 1.5” webbing and covered it with fabric. I cut my fabric about 3¾” wide, put right sides together, and sewed about a ¼” seam. I then turned the fabric right side out using a bodkin; you can use your favorite turning implement. I slid the webbing into the fabric covers using my granny’s method, a safety pin. You can make your straps as long as you want. I made my straps about 36” long.

I didn’t want to sew the straps directly over any of the designs, so I used metal rectangular rings to attach them. I sewed them on with tabs I made from the same 1.5” webbing, covered in the same fabric. I attached them to the bag by sewing along the stitch line on the binding edge, and then I sewed just below the bottom edge of the binding as my second seam to hold the straps securely.

Your tote bag is now complete! 

One side
The other side

I hope you will pick out your favorite Star Spangled Stitches blocks and make your very own patriotic tote. Happy 250th birthday, America!

Be sure to share your projects with us in the Designs by JuJu Embroidery Blessings Group on Facebook, or use the hashtag #designsbyjuju anywhere on social media. We love to see what you create!

Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith

Howdy! I’m Stephen, and I’m so happy to be here stitching with y’all! My grannie taught me how to sew when I was younger, and that love of sewing has stayed with me ever since. When I’m not working as a full-time law enforcement officer, you’ll usually find me stitching. I enjoy piecing quilts, making bags, and sewing the occasional shirt, but my true passion is machine embroidery and applique. In-the-hoop projects are my absolute favorite—I love watching everything come together right in the hoop!