Summer is made for backyard BBQs, Fourth of July fireworks, and good food shared with great friends. And nothing says “I’ve got this” quite like showing up with handmade bags that are both functional and festive. Whether you're toting drinks, organizing condiments, or gifting a homemade touch—these three bag patterns deliver serious star-spangled style.
Made with patriotic fabrics, the Grapeful Tote, Gifted Stitches Basket, and Starry Tote are more than just beautiful—they're practical, reusable, and sure to turn heads. Scroll down to see why these three bags belong at your next summer gathering.
Perfect For: Gifting wine, lemonade, or a summer-ready sparkling rosé
The Grapeful Tote is your go-to when you want to bring a bottle to the party—but make it cute. Designed to hold wine, olive oil, or any glass bottle securely, it’s the kind of handmade gift bag your host will reuse again and again.
Made with Poppie Cotton’s Elise collection, this version of the Grapeful Tote brings vintage charm and fresh florals into your patriotic palette. Whether you're hosting or gifting, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Why you’ll love it:
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Perfect For: Condiment corral, utensil holder, or a sweet summer hostess gift
The Gifted Stitches Basket isn’t just cute—it’s wildly useful. Keep your ketchup, mustard, napkins, and flatware organized and easy to grab at your picnic table. Or fill it with goodies like jam, s’mores supplies, or baked treats for a gift that feels personal and purposeful.
Crafted in the same Poppie Cotton Elise collection, the basket’s soft florals and red-white-blue combo are like a mini quilt for your table.
Why you’ll love it:
👉 SHOP THE GIFTED STITCHES BASKET
Perfect For: Carrying all the essentials to the BBQ—from side dishes to sunscreen
The Starry Tote is a showstopper. Combining bag-making and quilting, this tote features a bold patchwork star design that looks complicated but is surprisingly doable—even for confident beginners.
In Breezeway by Maywood Studio, the high-contrast blocks and crisp red, white, and navy tones turn this bag into a statement piece you’ll use all summer long. Bring it to a picnic, use it for farmer’s market runs, or give it as a gift that says, “Yes, I made this!”
Why you’ll love it:
👉 SHOP THE STARRY TOTE BAG PATTERN
Don’t forget to grab your FREE interactive Bag Supply Guide—it walks you through everything you need for these patterns and more. It's the easiest way to shop smart and sew confidently.
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Wrap-Up:
So whether you're hosting, gifting, or just showing off your skills at the next summer BBQ, these three patterns will have you sewing with confidence and style. Patriotic fabrics bring the seasonal vibes, but the functionality? That’s year-round.
Ready to get stitching? Browse all three patterns on BeMandyThings.com, grab your favorites, and let your handmade projects shine brighter than the fireworks.
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Looking for a fun and useful summer sew? The Starry Tote Bag combines a bold star quilt block with practical bagmaking techniques—including slip pockets, leather handles, and my favorite pocket-binding method. In this July 4th version, I used red, white, and blue Breezeway fabrics by Maywood Studio to create a festive tote that's perfect for picnics, beach days, or backyard BBQs. Whether you're a confident quilter or a beginner bagmaker, this pattern teaches you techniques you'll use again and again.
A beginner-friendly wine tote pattern that’s quick to sew, and gift-ready. Meet the Grapeful Tote—perfect for more than just wine!
