Sewing a Tote Bag for Kids

Create a colorful tote bag for the beach.

Creating a personalized tote bag is a hands-on summer craft for kids of all ages. The child can use the bag to carry toys and towels to the beach, tote books home from the library, or as an overnight bag for slumber parties. If the child is too young to sew the tote bag herself, help her make it as a creative project. You don't have to use a sewing machine to make the tote bag, as a needle and thread will work just as well.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy cotton or canvas fabric
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Sewing needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Cut two 15-by-20-inch pieces of heavy cotton or canvas fabric. Choose fabric in the child's favorite color, such as vibrant turquoise or sunny yellow. Pick fabric featuring a whimsical, themed pattern, such as sunglasses, seahorses or books.

2. Lay the pieces of fabric on top of each other with the right sides of the material facing each other.

3. Sew the bottom and two sides of the fabric together using a sewing needle and matching thread. Leave a 1/2-inch seam allowance on all sides. Turn the bag so that its right sides are facing out. Iron the bag on a low setting to create crisp seams.

4. Cut two 2-by-20-inch strips of the same fabric to create the tote's handles.

5. Turn the bag inside out. Position one fabric strip in a "U" shape at the top of the tote, so that its two edges are 1 1/2 inches below the top. Sew the two edges of the strip into place to form the handle. Flip the tote to the other side and repeat the process with the second fabric strip. Turn the tote so that its right sides are facing out again to finish the craft.