How to make your own Tote

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By chryssy67
User-Submitted Article

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(12 Ratings)

Large 18 x 22 inches

How to make totes of any size and help eliminate use of plastic bags! Totes for shopping, gym, pool, beach or for general use!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

1 yd Canvas or Denim material
Spool of thread
Scissors
Iron & Ironing Board
Basic Sewing Machine
Sewing Pins
Measuring Tape

Step 1

Take 1 yard of any color canvas material (inside out) & fold in half on a sturdy table. Pin both layers together so they don’t move apart, and cut along left & right sides to make canvas 22 inches in length. The width should be abt. 18 inches. Do not throw away the two pieces you cut – these will be used to make the handles.

Note:
12 x 14 inches for a very small tote
14 x 16 inches for a medium tote
18 x 22 inches for a large tote
24 x 20 inches for a beach tote
Step 2

Sew inside out along the left & right sides at abt ½ inch in-seam and then go back over the outer edges with a neat zig-zag stitch to hem & keep it from fraying.

Note: always use a backstitch when you come to the end so the threading won’t come undone.
Step 3

Use the left over material to measure out two identical strips of 4 inch wide by abt. 18 inches long. Sew along edges inside out. Turn tubes right side out and press with hot iron to flatten.

Fold the ends of the handles abt. ¼ inch under and pin into place on the inside opening of tote. Make sure you measure an equal distance & center the handles before you sew them on.

Note: For this tote the distance between will be abt. 9 inches apart.
Step 4

Finalize your handle stitches by sewing an extra square or zig-zag stitch (which ever you like) to make handles more durable.

Iron your bag and you are ready to go shopping.

To Make Tote Unique try Decorating options below.

Comments

RENorton said

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on 2/22/2009 Excellent article. Very well-written with a lot of great info and easy to follow instructions. Great debut article. 5 stars and a recommendation!

Siouxmix said

on 2/20/2009 good article with good pictures to follow. Well done!

on 2/13/2009 I was never much of a seamstress until the question of plastic bags came up when I was learning about being an eco-friendly person... it's amazing what you can learn to do when you really believe in something!