Candy Corn Trick-or-Treat Tote

Give kids an oh-so-sweet way to collect candy this Halloween during trick-or-treating with a personalized candy corn tote bag. Even if you are new to sewing, this is a project this is entirely doable in the span of an afternoon (or less!). Let me show you how easily this comes together.

 For this project, you will need…

• Cotton duck fabric in three colors: white, yellow and orange
• White Kona cotton
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Coordinating thread
• Iron-on letter decals, letter stencils and paint, or embroidery machine
• Washable ink marker
• Basic sewing supplies: machine, shears, tape measure, etc.

To begin, use the rotary cutter and mat to make your fabric cuts. For each tote, you will need…

• From the white duck cloth: (2) pieces cut to 5.5×14″
• From the yellow duck cloth: (2) pieces cut to 5.5×14″
• From the orange duck cloth: (2) pieces cut to 8×14″ and (2) pieces cut to 4×16″
• From the white Kona cotton: (2) pieces cut to 14×16″

Note: All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise indicated.

Place 1 of the white duck and 1 of the yellow duck pieces together, right sides facing. Pin. Stitch along one of the long edges. Press seam open.

Align 1 of the 8×14″ orange duck pieces with the long edge of the white section so that the right sides are facing. Pin, stitch, and press seams open. Repeat with the remaining white, orange and yellow duck pieces so that you have 2 complete assembled panels for the front and back of the tote.

If you prefer to personalize the tote, now is the best time to do so. Place one of the assembled panels face up on a work surface so that the yellow panel is at the top and the orange panel is at the bottom, and apply the lettering to the center of the white panel. I used my CAMEO to cut lettering for my bag from flocked heat transfer material, but you could also machine embroider the lettering on, or use pre-purchased iron-on letters or stencils and paint. There are lots of options!

Pin the assembled front and back panels together, right sides facing, and stitch along the side and bottom (orange) edge, pivoting at the lower corners. Snip corners and press seams open.

Create a 3″ boxed corner at each of the lower corners. For a complete step-by-step guide for doing so, check out my complete boxed corner PDF guide.

When the boxed corners are complete, press the top edge of the outer piece down toward the inside of the piece. Turn the piece right-side out and set it aside.

Next, you will prepare the lining pieces in a similar fashion. Place the white Kona cotton pieces together, right sides facing, and pin. Stitch along the 2 long side edges and 1 short bottom edge, pivoting at the corners. Clip corners and press seams open. Create a 3″ boxed corner at each of the corners. When the boxed corners are complete, press the top edge of the lining piece down toward the inside of the piece. Leave the piece wrong-side out.

Slip the lining piece down and inside the outer piece, as shown.

Make sure the side seams and the top edges of each are precisely aligned. Pin. Stitch 1/8″ from the edge around the entire top perimeter of the tote to secure the pieces together. Set the completed tote body aside for now to prepare the strap pieces.

To prepare the straps, fold in each of the short edges of one of the 4×16″ orange duck pieces by 1/4″ and press. Fold the piece in half lengthwise; press. Fold one of the long edges of the piece up toward the center crease, as shown. Press.

Fold the top edge down toward the crease in a similar fashion. Press. Fold the entire piece in half along the center crease.

Stitch 1/8″ around the entire perimeter of the piece to secure. Repeat with the remaining 4×16″ orange duck piece.

Pin the straps to the front and back of the body of the tote so that each edge is 3″ from its respective side seam and the bottom edge of each of the strap ends extend 1.5″ down from the top edge of the tote.

Secure each of the strap ends to the tote body by stitching a rectangle with an X at the center, as shown.

Your candy corn tote bag is complete!

These are such a fun way for children to collect candy on Halloween night…

…and because the totes are personalized, everyone’s candy will be sure to stay in the right hands! At least until a sneaky mama sneaks away one or two of the Snickers bars. 😉

 

Wanting even more Halloween inspiration? Check out some of the other terrific ideas below!

2012 Halloween Mantel

Decoupaged Lace Pumpkins

Ruffled Candy Corn Tee

(Believe it or not, the same cutie picture below is the model holding the candy corn tote bag above. Time marches by too quickly!)

7 Fun Halloween Craft Ideas

Thanks so much for stopping by today!