How to Sew an Insulated Tote

This insulated tote design is simple even for a novice seamstress.

There are many shapes, sizes and styles of insulated totes on the market, but it is simple and inexpensive to make one yourself. This basic design can be adapted to make washable lunch bags, shopping totes or a picnic bag large enough to hold food for the whole family.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton canvas, 5/8 yard
• Cotton calico, 1/2 yard
• Quilt batting, 1/2 yard
• Thread
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Pins
• Pencil
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut one strip of canvas 3 inches wide by the full width of the fabric. Fold the strip in half lengthwise with the right sides together and stitch into a long tube. Turn the tube right side out and press flat with the seam running up the center of the strap. Cut the strap in half so that you have two equal lengths. If you like, you can add rows of stitches down the length of the straps to help them keep their shape. To finish the ends of the two straps, turn in both ends of each strap 1/4 inch and press flat.

2. Fold the calico in half with the selvedges matched and cut into two equal rectangles. Cut two rectangles of canvas to match the calico and two rectangles of the quilt batting the same size.

3. Layer one piece of batting, then one piece of canvas with the right side up, then one piece of canvas with the right side down, then the last piece of batting. Pin together and stitch around three sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving the top open.

4. Pin the pieces of calico with right sides together and stitch down both sides and across the bottom with a 5/8-inch seam allowance, again leaving the top open.

5. Pull the bottom corner of the canvas and batting bag out flat so the bottom and side seam lines match. Measure 3 inches in from the corner and mark a horizontal line. Repeat on the other side of the bag. Stitch along each horizontal line, then trim to 1/2 inch.

6. Repeat Step 5 for the calico bag piece, but measure in 3 1/8 inch from the corner to mark the line.

7. Turn the canvas bag right side out, pressing out the corners with a fingertip or with the end of a pencil to make sure the corners are sharp. Slide the calico bag inside the canvas bag and adjust it so that both bags are even and aligned.

8. Turn down both layers of the exterior and lining at the top of the bag and pin evenly. Topstitch around the opening. Attach the handles by topstitching them in place.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using cotton quilt batting for insulation, you can press it as you sew. Polyester or acrylic batting cannot be ironed. It will melt.

• You can add a zipper or snaps to the top of the bag for extra security.

References

• Skip to My Lou: How to Make a Simple Reversible Tote Bag
• Simplicity: How to Make a Tote Bag
• The Long Thread: Lunch Bag Tutorial