This post was created in partnership with Baby Lock. Thanks for supporting the brands that help us share fun content with you!

Want to see all of Sarah’s  favorite machines, tools, & accessories? Check out her Baby Lock affiliate page.

Sometimes a new project idea lives rent-free in your head for quite some time before it makes it into IRL. That’s the story of this project—an idea I could see fully completed in my mind months ago. When Baby Lock asked me if I wanted to share a new sewing project with you, I knew it was finally time to give it a go. After drafting the pattern, tweaking it a bit, and learning the quirks of sewing vinyl, it’s ready. Say hello to the Trinket Tote—a take-everywhere crossbody bag created with your beloved trinkets in mind (and, of course, your notions too).

This multifunctional bag has quilted “windows” on each side that are perfect for displaying whatever your heart desires. We’re picturing buttons, labels, and scraps of the “good fabric.” My daughter recommended sequins, enamel charms, and little squishy animals. The possibilities are truly endless!

If you’re new to sewing vinyl, like we were, we have a few tips to set you up for success. First, start with a Teflon-coated presser foot. This is non-negotiable when sewing vinyl. The Teflon material helps the presser foot glide smoothly across the vinyl, which would otherwise stick to the machine.

The second tip is to always use a longer stitch length. We found 3–3.5 mm worked best (rather than the default 2.5 mm).

Now, let’s jump right into making! We’re so excited to see your creations and the trinkets you display in the bags you make.

Supplies

Clear vinyl, 14” wide or wider
1” wide webbing
2 – 1” wide triangle rings
2 – swivel snap hooks
1 – tri-glide metal piece (Webbing and hardware purchased from Stitch Supply)
Topstitching thread (Mara 70 worked great on the vinyl, anything heavier, even just as the upper thread seemed to not sew evenly)
Matching bobbin thread in regular weight

Tools

Sewing machine, I’m using my beloved Baby Lock Ballad
Teflon coated presser foot
Topstiching needle

½” wide masking tape/washi tape
Pencil or any kind of marking tool
Ruler
Rotary cutter
Sewing clips

Seam allowance: 1/2” unless otherwise noted

Stitch length: 3-3.5mm

Load your bobbin with a regular weight thread and use topstitching thread for your upper thread. Set your stitch length to 3.5mm. I recommend sewing on a scrap piece of vinyl (with the paper removed) to get a feel for how your sewing machine handles it. You may prefer a shorter stitch length of 3mm.

Directions

Step 1: Install needle + nonstick presser foot

Install an 80/12 topstitching needle and attach the Baby Lock Teflon-Coated Foot to your sewing machine.

Step 2: Cut Vinyl

Use a rotary cutter and ruler to cut the clear vinyl into the following pieces. For easier cutting and visibility, keep the white paper backing on the vinyl while you cut.

• • 2 — 14” × 14” pieces with 1.5” squares cut from the bottom left and right corners of each piece
  • 6 — 15” × 2.5” pieces
  • 2 — 1” × 2.5” pieces
  • 2 — 3” × 14” pieces

Step 3: Cut and sew “windows” onto front and back panels

A. Place one 14” × 2.5” vinyl strip 3” from the bottom edge of the front panel. Clip in place.

B. Clip the second 14” × 2.5” vinyl strip above the first, leaving a ½” space between the strips. Clip in place.

C. Clip the third 14” × 2.5” vinyl strip above the second, again leaving a ½” space between the strips. Clip in place.

D. Move your needle to the furthest right position (3.5 mm from center). With the strip side facing down, sew along the bottom edge of each vinyl strip.

Repeat Steps A–D for the back panel.

Step 4: Sewing the vertical lines on the front and back panels

Place a piece of ½” tape along the right edge of the front bag panel. This will act as your seam allowance since the tape is also ½” wide.

Using a ruler, measure 3.25” from the left edge of the tape. Place a second piece of tape at that mark to indicate your first sewing line. You will sew along the right edge of this piece of tape.

Continue measuring another 3.25” from the right edge of the tape and place another strip of tape to mark the spacing. Repeat one more time.

Carefully sew along the right edges of the three center pieces of tape. Remove the tape.

Repeat this step for the back panel of the bag.

Step 5: Sew the bottom and sides

Place the bag panels right sides together. The right side is the smooth side, since you want the trinket pockets to be accessible from the inside of the bag. Clip along the sides and bottom edges.

Before sewing the side seams, don’t forget to add your side seam label!

Sew the sides and bottom together using a ½” seam allowance.

Step 6: Trim seam allowances

Trim seam allowances down to about 1cm or 3/8″. Totally optional but since the bag is clear, I like using scalloped pinking shears for this step.

Step 7: Sew boxed corners

Pinch the corners together, alternating the directions of the top and the bottom seam allowances. Sew with ½” seam allowance. Trim seam allowance down to 1cm or 3/8″.

Step 8: Sew top edge

Turn the bag right side out. This part can be a little tricky since the vinyl likes to stick to itself, so take your time and work slowly. Good things take time, right?

Fold the top edge down about 1” or until it meets the top edge of the trinket pockets. Use clips to hold everything in place.

Edgestitch all the way around the top edge.

Step 9: Sew triangle rings

Slide one of the 1” × 2.5” vinyl strips through a triangle ring. Fold the strip in half and clip the ends together.

Position the clipped strip inside the bag, centered over one of the side seams, with the metal ring aligned with the top edge of the bag. Sew in place.

Repeat with the second triangle ring.

Turn bag right side out.

Step 10 (optional): Sew handles

If you want to add handles to your bag, fold the 14” × 3” vinyl strips into thirds and clip in place.

Sew along both long sides, using the edge of the Teflon presser foot as a guide with the needle in the furthest right position.

Trim each piece to 14”.

Place one bag handle/strap inside the bag. Use clips to hold it in place, then sew about ½” from the bottom edge, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam.

Repeat with the second handle.

Handle placement is somewhat personal, so clip everything in place first and adjust until it feels comfortable for you.

Step 11: Sew strap

If using polyester or nylon webbing, use a lighter or candle to carefully melt the cut ends of the webbing to prevent fraying.

Thread the webbing through one swivel snap hook. Fold it over and sew it in place, about ½” from the metal hardware.

Thread the other end of the webbing through the tri-glide slide, then through the second swivel snap hook, and finally back through the tri-glide.

Try the bag on and adjust the strap length to whatever feels most comfortable, keeping in mind to leave room for adjustments using the hardware. Once it feels right, trim the excess webbing if needed and carefully melt the cut edge with a lighter or candle to prevent fraying.

Step 12: Fill with trinkets

This is the part you’ve really been waiting for—filling your tote bag with fun things! The sky is the limit, but we’re especially fond of using it to display your favorite Sarah Hearts sewing labels, buttons, or needle minders. You can also use it to showcase fabric scraps, like those tiny pieces of Liberty lawn you can never quite part with.

What will you fill your bag with? Reply below or tag us on Instagram and please be sure to tag us if you make the bag. We cannot wait to see what you create!