Harriet Expandable Tote

The Harriet Expandable Tote is a Swoon pattern. This is a mid-sized bag featuring two side zippers that converts from a rounded everyday purse to a spacious tote. It also features a closure that can be sewn with faux leather or a contrasting fabric. The finished measurements are 10” tall, 12.5” wide (at bottom), and 4.5” deep

Pattern: Harriet Expandable Tote

Fabric: Alison Glass Handcrafted Patchwork Batik Pineapple Lagoon Teal

Stabilizer: ByAnnie’s Soft and Stable

You’ll Need:

1/2 yard 44″ wide quilting weight exterior fabric
1/3 yard (or fat quarter) 44″ wide woven or vinyl contrasting fabric
3/4 yard 44″ wide quilting weight lining fabric
1/8 yard fusible stiff stabilizer (Pellon Peltex 71F)
1/2 yard fusible fleece interfacing (Pellon Thermolam TP971F)
3 1/2 yards fusible woven interfacing (Pellon Shapeflex SF101)
(4) 1″ rectangle rings
(3) 7″ zippers
Thin magnetic snap
Fabric glue (Beacon Fabri-tac) (optional)
Fabric clips (Wonder Clips) (optional)
Coordinating thread

I love this bag, So far, this is my favorite bag pattern. I’ve made it 4 times (you can see the pictures in Instagram)! For my next one, I would use Nylon Metallic Zippers – (probably the silver ones). The only change that I made was to turn the bag through the zip pocket. I love this technique!

I combined the Alison Glass fabric with brown faux leather and used Double Cap Rivets to secure the handles. I also added a nice handmade plaque.

For the topstiching I used the standard pressing foot, 5 stitch length, regular thread, and a microtex sharp machine needle size 100/16.

Closing the side zippers change the shape of the bag and also look great! For the sides I used my lining fabric but you can coordinate with multiple fabrics if you prefer.