This is one of the very first tutorials I put together! We posted it back when this blog was started before we had many followers. My totes continue to be something I use often so here’s the tutorial one more time for anyone who missed it the first time around.
You can scale the size up or down for whatever purpose you have in mind. I make two sizes generally. One is a small tote the same size as one of the paper Bath and Body Works bags you get at their stores. It’s great for a few toys, extra shoes, or even wrapping up a gift. The larger size is great for grocerices, farmer’s markets, extra toddler clothes/toys when going out for the day, as a beach bag, for a change of clothes for the gym or whatever else you can think of. It’s about the same size as a paper grocery bag.
For this pattern you’ll need an outer fabric and a liner fabric. I like at least one of the fabrics to be a heavier weight to help the bag hold it’s shape a little better. All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise noted.
1. Small size: Cut 15″ squares from both your outer and liner fabrics with the center fold of the fabric at the bottom of the square. (If you do it this way, you’ll be cutting through two layers of fabric and if you were to open it up, you would have a rectangle of 15″ x 30″.) At each of the bottom corners cut a rectangle 2 1/2″ tall by 3″ wide. If the fabric you’re using doesn’t allow you to have the center fold at the bottom you’ll cut two rectangles from both fabrics 15″ wide by 15 1/2″ tall, and your corners will be 3″ square.
2. For the outer fabric, put right sides together then stitch up the sides. Repeat with the liner fabric.
3. If you have a raw edge rather than a fold at the bottom, stitch that together.
4. Create the bottom of the bag by stitching the corners. See below for photo detail. You’ll stitch all 4 corners (the 2 for the outer fabric and the 2 for the liner).
6. Now flip the outer fabric right side out, then nestle the liner inside.
7. Now pin along the bottom of the bag on the front and back, but not the sides. Stitch along the edge with a 1/8″ or 3/16″ seam allowance.
9. Now stitch around the top. Leave a 1/8″ seam allowance at the top and then sew a second seam 3/4″ down from the top. Then go back and put an X over each strap. Or if you don’t want to have to go back and do the Xs later, see the diagram below for the exact steps I followed.
10. Optional: If you want your tote to have a boxy shape, pin the 4 sides going straight up from each corner then stitch 1/8″ in from the edge like you did in step 7 around the bottom.
And now you’re all done! You should probably go shopping to test out your new bag.
I love, love, love this fabric – where is it from?
Thanks Allison! The fabric is called In Flight (in pistachio) from the “It’s a Hoot” line by MoMo for Moda.
THANK YOU – a tote like this is on my “to do” list; thanks for relieving me of the need to puzzle out the math all by myself!
Thank you! I have often wondered how to get nice boxed edges like that and you’ve just explained it beautifully.
Great tutorial! And perfect timing too….my tote is on its last legs!
Love the bag and fabric!! Great tutorial. Stopping by from Skip to my Lou.
Come on by my blog when you have a moment:
http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2011/05/wool-buffalo-check-coat-finished.html
Fantasticv tutorial – and as other commenters have noted, the fabric is just gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing this
Great tutorial! I was looking to make a bag just like this a few weeks ago, and couldn’t find what I was looking for. So I just freelanced and made something else entirely. Next time I’ll come back here!
Thank you so much for the tutorial. I love making tote bags!
Very nice. I’d love for you to link up at Inspire Me Mondays @ Singing Three Little Birds
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2011/05/inspire-me-monday-thanks-for-stopping.html
Thanks Julie! Just linked up and added your button to our Linky Party page.
totally in love with this! SOOO CUTE
Love the fabric you chose! Really nice tutorial!
This is such an awesome tutorial! I am in desperate need of a new library bag for my kids and this looks like it would be a perfect fit for all of the books we drag home with us.. we are literally the librarians’ best friends! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party! Can’t wait to see what you share next week!
great bag!
Thanks for the tutorial…I always love to have a good tutorial! Bookmarked!
I found your blog through Someday Crafts! Great job on your tote bag tutorial! I love making them as gifts… they come in handy and everyone always loves homemade goods! Please stop by Sew Woodsy and link up this project!
Stopped by and linked up!
Great tutorial! I really need to make me a few cute bags like this! I am a teacher and always needing extra cute bags! Thanks for sharing!
Great tutorial! New follower here from Whimsy Couture link up!
oh how cute! the fabric is what drew me in to click on this! great detailed tutorial. I love sewing but I hate doing sewing tutorials because I break all the rules lol.
hopped over from blue cricket today!
thestyleprojects.blogspot.com
Hi from your newest google follower/s via crafty soiree, Karima from
http://www.karimascrafts.com
and
http://www.karimasblogs.blogspot.com
Now I want a sewing machine more than ever……Just so I can add more totes to my already out of control collection…LOL
Thanks for sharing!!!
This is such a cute tote bag!!! I love the tutorial – you did a great job! Thanks for linking up to Think Pink Sundays – I featured you today! http://www.flamingotoes.com/2011/05/crush-of-the-week-think-pink-features-7/
Thanks for the feature! We are honored.
Just wanted to let you know that we LOVED your project!! It will be featured tomorrow at Sweet Peas & Bumblebees!
Thanks so much Briana! We’re actually doing some giveaways right now that include a bag just like the one in the tutorial. The giveaway ends Friday. Thanks again for the feature!
I love this fabric! Can’t seem to find it anywhere though
Glad you like it! Sadly it’s getting harder to find. If you do a search on etsy for “in flight moda” there’s a few sellers that offer it!
LOVED this tutorial! Thank you so much. Here is my version: http://makelemons.com/2011/06/large-canvas-tote/
So, for the smaller bag I would need about a half a yard of each fabric? Is this correct?
Yes, for the small bag you’ll need 15″ x 30″ total of each of your two fabrics so you should need just a little under a half yard (as long as it’s at least 30″ wide).
Yep, a half yard cut (18″ x 45″) of each fabric (outside and lining) would do for the smaller bag, and you’d probably have enough scraps leftover for a change pouch.
Thanks Ladies! I will post pics when I am done with them!
Love this…very clear instructions on how to make the box corners. Thank You! What a great idea to make for gift holders…the wrapping would not end up in the trash
This tutorial is brilliant and I’ve just made my very first tote, thank you so much! I’m hooked, I’m going to be making totes and other bags all day long!!
Thank you very much for your sharing, I really liked the idea you shared on sewing the ‘X’ on straps, very useful. Appreciate!
I made over 40 of these bags this year for school. Love them! Thanks for the tutorial.
THANKS! I’m new at sewing and just completed an awesome looking bag using plain canvas, this pattern, a very large machine embroidered nautical design and including a zippered pocket, a key holder and a front magnetic pocket. I’m really proud of myself!! THANKS AGAIN for such an awesome tutorial!
I’m a beginner at sewing…I made this bag and everyone thinks I’m a genius!! Thanks so much for the pattern!!
Colleen, that’s awesome! Maybe you are a genius.
Best tuto i’ve read so far ! I was looking for a tote to embroider my sons’ name on it (for kinder)… Thanks !