It seems like I’m always leaving the house with something…dinner for a friend, toys for my toddler, extra pair of shoes or who knows what. I usually grab a Bath and Body Works bag or a plastic mega-store bag but in the interest of looking less “mom-frump” (my term for how I often feel these days) I thought a nice set of tote bags would help me look a bit more pulled together. Here’s the first tutorial in the series on some different tote styles. Later I’ll do a second one on a version with a pocket and different handle straps.
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.
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 9 around the top.
And now your project is complete!
>Love the fabric print you chose!
This is adorable, but I’m trying to make it and I’m totally lost. I got as far as step 1.
I can’t see how these two pieces of fabric I cut (one for the bag, one for the liner) are going to make a bag. The 20″ square doesn’t seem nearly big enough… was I supposed to cut TWO squares out of each fabric??
What do you mean by the fabric allowing you to have a “fold” at the bottom?
I’ve never made a bag before, and I feel like a bumbling idiot. Can you help me?
Hi Dani, It’s totally my fault and not yours! I’ve gone back and clarified step 1 and I’ve also sent you an e-mail with more detail. Please let me know if I’ve helped or if any further additions to the instructons would be helpful.
this project is gorgeous! I can’t believe I just found you! can’t wait to explore your blog more!
I love the fabric you chose and how easy to follow your tutorial is. I’m going to feature this tomorrow on a Mother’s Day gift idea on my blog!
Awesome! Thanks so much Amie–you have a very cute blog!
i love how you finished the outer edges! i am going to try that on my next tote.
thanks for the great tutorial! i’m your newest follower!
Jamie
Hi, I just stumbled upon your blog looking for a tote tutorial. This one looks awesome. Not too complicated! I was wondering what the finished dimensions are of both sizes of bags. I’m trying to make one large enough to fit all my stuff I have to take to church (so a couple binders, plus snacks, etc) Thanks!
OMG!!! I am not much of a seamstress, but I JUST made this and it is awesome!!! Your directions are absolutely PERFECT!!!!!!!!! I had signed up to take a class on how to do this and now don’t need to. I made one with a nylon lining and interfacing so it will stand up. I am going to be making myself these for the grocery store. Mine won’t stand up by themselves and that is annoying BUT THIS ONE DOes!!!
thank you sooooo much for posting this!!!
Awesome! If you have any photos of your finished bag, feel free to send us a link or share them in the Craft Buds Flickr group! http://www.flickr.com/groups/1657763@N24/
Oh I would put it up for all to see but it is just a black bag with black lining, nothing fancy. I just now made a smaller one that is pink with purple lining, again, no design, just plain. Thank you so much for helping me learn how to do this….
I just posted the pink and purple one on your flickr.com page…I didn’t do the sides of this one like I did the black one. It was fun though. I need to get some FUN fabric now and make one..XOXOX
I just checked out your flickr photos and it looks so good!! It’s great to hear that the directions worked so well for you. I really appreciate the feedback and I’m glad the pattern been so useful. Thanks so much for sharing!
This is awesome, I have been looking for an easy tote pattern to go along with the baby books that I make, these 2 sizes should fit the 2 sizes of baby books perfectly! Thank you!
I just found the project for the fat quarters I stocked up on with no particular project in mind! Thanks!
Great bag. Thanks for sharing!
How can one download this Pattern Thanks
Hi Patricia! You’ll need to use this pattern online, or copy and paste into a Word document if you’d like to save it for personal use. Thanks!
I’ve made these bags & they are SO easy! I didn’t do the extra stitching on mine for the edges. Great idea! After the first one I dame tho I started using an iron on interfacing to make them a bit sturdier. I would also sewa pocket on the front &/or one on the inside. Even made one with a little zippered pouch attached.
I love this… I can’t wait to make it. Thanks so much for posting.
How can I find the bird fabric you used for this bag? I love it!!!!!!
Hi Wilda,
The fabric is by MoMo, and is called “It’s a Hoot”. Hope this helps!
Thank you!
I love this ! GREAT ideas can’t wait to try them !!
Thanks
Theresa
Thanks for posting such a great tutorial! I just completed my first tote with your help and I am so proud that it came together so well. Thanks again!
Thanks Frances, so glad the tutorial was helpful for you! We’d love to see a photo of your finished bag if you want to post it on our Flickr page!
Awesome……thank you for sharing the method………
First time viewer . Thank you so much. I do not have a website. I will try this bag today.
Thanks for the great tutorial! I made one today and love it
I will try to remember to post a picture to your Flickr group once the weather clears up and I can get a decent picture.
Awesome–so glad you found the tutorial easy to follow!
Wow! Thanks so much for posting this. I love how the bag stands up for you after you topstitch the bottom and sides and by doing so, securing the lining – great technique. I used a canvas weight for the outside and I am thrilled with the finished tote. My canvas was almost 60″ wide so I got two for the cutting of one! One step to note: Before you stitch your handles on, measure where you will be topstitching the sides so you don’t place your handles too wide. On the first one I just added the handles without consideration for the next step, so I had to angle the topstitching. Still looks great, just shaped differently, which is actually cool. Love the look and ease of these bags. Thanks again for posting this!
Super cute! I am going to make one this weekend! Love your blog. I am thinking that if you used a light weight plastic lined table cloth for the lining…it would work for carrying cold/frozen groceries that may have condensation. Just a thought..
[...] I created this Celtic knot stencil. I decided to make her a reusable grocery-type tote and found a very easy tutorial by Mary on the Craft Buds site. For my outside fabric I decided to use canvas (of course!) and before I actually did any painting [...]
Wow! This is the absolute easiest, nicest tote bag tutorial I’ve seen! Good for you for making it easy enough for beginners!
I am looking at this bag and hoping to adapt it to make a large art portfolio bag for my daughter.
Cross your fingers for me.
Omg i love love love this tutorial! I have never even given sewing the sides and bottoms a thought! It’s genius LOL! Thanks so much!
This is also going to be my first bag. I saw your’s and got inspired! I have a question about cutting the big bag…. Should my piece of fabric be cut 20″ x 40″? I’m confused on what size I should be cutting my fabric and how many to cut.
Thanks for your help.
Katherine
Hi Katherine!
If you can fit a 20 x 40 square on your fabric, yes, you’ll cut to that size. Folded in half, it measures to 20 x 20. If you are using a smaller cut of fabric and can’t fit the 20 x 40, you can always cut two 20 x 20 squares and stitch them together at the bottom before you cut out the 3 1/2 corners. Hope this helps!
This is a wonderful tutorial I will definately make one from recycle fabric
Wonderful tutorial on this adorable tote! I have been making purses for years but this one added a new and easy technique for a professional looking tote with the
topstitching that secures the lining. Thank you for this awesome tip!
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I’m not a very good seamstress, but even I was able to follow the directions and make something that actually looks like a bag! Thanks again!
Hi,
I would like to try and make the large tote. Could you please tell me what the finished size is? Thanks,
Katherine
Hi Katherine,
Final large size is approximately 13″ across the front x 6″ across the side x 15″ tall. Hope that helps!
Mary
Thanks. Made one today for a gift bag.