How to Make Tote Bags With Top Zip Closures

You can sew zippered tote bags from recycled clothing.

Tote bags are one of the most useful items in your closet. They can be used for eco-friendly shopping to eliminate throwaway plastic and paper bags and provide a handy way to carry books home from the library. Tote bags make great beach bags and knitting bags. Sewing construction for the tote is not complicated and a zip top closure will keep your items from falling out of the bag. Tote bags can be made from any sturdy fabric, including recycled clothing.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 yard sturdy fabric
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• 14-inch heavy-duty zipper
• 1 yard 1 inch wide nylon strapping

Instructions

1. Cut out two pieces of fabric that measure 15 inches square, using the ruler and scissors. Pin the fabric squares together, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Sew a straight seam 1/4 inch from the edge of three sides of the square.

2. Fold the top unsewn edge of the tote over 1/2 inch twice and pin in place for a hem. Sew through the center of the hem with the sewing machine along the entire top edge of the tote.

3. Open the zipper and pin one side to the inside of one top edge of the tote. Sew the zipper edge in place with the sewing machine. Pin and sew the remaining edge of the zipper to the remaining inside edge of the tote.

4. Cut the nylon strapping into two 12-inch lengths. Pin and sew the strapping to the front and back of the tote 2 inches from the top of the tote and 3 inches from each corner, using the sewing machine.