Fika is a Swedish word, meaning ‘to have coffee’.  The classic clean lines of this mid-sized tote give a nod to my Scandinavian heritage.  The Fika Tote has plenty of features you’ll love, like front pockets, a back lapped zipper pocket, recessed zipper closure and padded pockets.  Take this tote on your next visit with friends!

Special features:

• two front pockets for things you need to keep close at hand
• back lapped zippered pocket
• optional recessed zipper (it’s optional, but I know you’ll love it!)
• makes a great work or student bag, padded interior pockets can accommodate most laptop sizes

Skill Level: Intermediate (this is a fairly straightforward sew, but due to the number of pieces and size of the tote I classify this pattern as Intermediate) an adventurous Advanced Beginner could also tackle this project – just takes a bit of organization

+ Approx. Finished Dimensions: 17” wide, 15” tall, 5” deep

Materials needed:

Requirements based on 44”-wide fabric.

• 1 yard Exterior Fabric
• 1/2 yard Accent Fabric
• 2 yards Lining Fabric (includes interior pockets)
• 3 yards Fusible Woven Interfacing (Pellon SF101 – 20”-wide)

• 3/4 yard Foam Stabilizer (byAnnie’s Soft & Stable (58”-wide) or 2 yards Pellon Foam Flex (20”-wide) or 1 yard Pellon 987f fusible fleece (44”-wide)

• (1) 18”-20” zipper (closed-ended or separating) for recessed zip closure

• (1) 30” handbag (head-to-head or single pull) zipper for back exterior pocket (will be shortened)

A backpack that’s perfect in its simplicity, but also great for customizing. Choose your favorite canvas (prints or solids) or waxed canvas and get to work creating your very own custom backpack.

Special features:

• front slip pocket
• interior zip pocket
• adjustable shoulder straps
• useful top handles

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

+ Approx. Finished Dimensions: 11 ½” wide x 15” tall x 5” deep (29 cm x 38 cm x 12 cm)

Materials needed:

Requirements based on 44”-wide fabric.

• 1 yard (1 m) Exterior Fabric

• 1 yard (1 m) Lining Fabric

• 2 yards (1.8 m) Fusible Woven Interfacing (Pellon SF101- 20”-wide)

• 1 yard (1 m) Medium Weight Fusible Interfacing (Pellon 809 – 42”-wide)^

• ½ yard (0.4 m) Foam Stabilizer (ByAnnie’s or 1 yard (1 m) Pellon Flex-Foam) ^

• (2) 1 ½” (3.8 cm) wide rectangle rings & (2) 1 ½” (3.8 cm) wide strap sliders

• (1) 22” (55 cm) zipper for top closure

• (1) 8” (20 cm) zipper for interior zip pocket

• 1 1/8 yards (1 m) of 1” (2.5 cm) wide cotton or poly webbing for top handles

• 2 ½ (2.2 m) yards of 1 ½” (3.8 cm) wide cotton or poly webbing for straps

• 3 ½ (3.2 m) yards straight-grain ½” (12 mm) wide double fold binding

• Book Trim: 8.5 x 11
• Pages: 24 + pattern pullout sheet
• Saddle stitched
• Professionally printed in Wisconsin

A useful and fun backpack to make! It’s great for any outing where you need to be hands free! The foldover top and closure keep things secure, while the front zippered pocket keeps essentials within easy reach. Adjustable straps make it wearable in any season.

Special features:

• foldover top with closure
• front exterior zippered pocket
• adjustable straps
• interior slip pocket
• hang loop

Skill Level: Intermediate, or adventurous Advanced Beginner

+ Approx. Finished Dimensions: 15” tall (closed), 10 ½” wide x 4” deep (at base)

Materials needed:

Requirements based on 44”-wide fabric.

• ¾ yard (½ yard if 54”-wide fabric) Exterior Fabric

• ½ yard Contrast Bottom Fabric

• 1 ½ yards Lining Fabric (includes exterior closure, straps, and interior pocket)

• 3 ½ yards Fusible Woven Interfacing (Pellon SF101 – 20″-wide)

• 1 yard Medium-Weight Fusible Interfacing (Pellon 809 – 44” wide) ^

• (2) 1 ½”-wide rectangle rings & (2) 1 ½”-wide strap sliders

• (1) 8” zipper for front zippered pocket

• (2) 1″-wide d-rings

Recommended Fabrics: Waxed canvas (10-12 oz. weight), cork fabric, cotton canvas, cotton/linen canvas, denim for exterior and contrast bottom fabrics (quilting cotton may be substituted for exterior fabric requirement, add ½ yard of 6-9 oz. weight 44”-wide cotton canvas/duckcloth for stabilizer and an 18” square of low-loft cotton batting). Quilting cotton for lining fabric.

^=omit if using waxed canvas/cork