A tote bag is a classic solution for nearly every kind of outing. No matter where you are going, the tote bag most likely can handle the amount of cargo you need to bring. While you may have several totes already, you may not have one that will serve your purposes perfectly. Make your own tote bag that will serve your needs and carry your things, and select fabric that appeals to your sense of style. This project is fairly easy and simple, and also makes a great, quick gift.
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Difficulty:
Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
½-yard heavy cotton fabric, such as duck cloth or home décor weight cotton
Wash your cotton fabric in hot water to shrink it as much as possible. Dry it in your clothes dryer on a hot setting. Iron the fabric to prepare it for cutting and sewing, and cut off excess threads.
2
Fold the fabric in half with the selvage edges and the right sides together on a hard, flat surface. Smooth the fabric with your hands to remove any creases. Select a size for your tote bag. Standard tote bag sizes (book bag style) measure about 18-by-22 inches. Add one inch to the width and length measurements. Cut out your pieces.
3
Pin your pieces with the right sides together along both sides and the bottom of the bag. Sew around all three edges of the bag, starting on the upper right edge and ending on the upper left edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end your seams. When you reach a corner, stop sewing. Raise your presser foot, turn the bag 90 degrees, lower the presser foot and continue sewing. Remove the bag from the sewing machine and cut off any excess threads.
4
Fold down the top edge 1/4 inch and press into place. Fold down an additional 3/8 inch and iron into place. Place pins at each side seam to hold the top edge in place.
5
Cut two widths of cotton webbing to 32 inches each. Turn your tote bag inside out. Lay your tote bag on a hard, flat surface and measure in 3 inches from one of the side seams. Line up the outer edge of one of the pieces of cotton webbing to this measurement and pin in place. Repeat with the same piece of webbing and the opposite side seam to make a looped handle. Repeat on the other side of the bag to make an additional looped handle.
6
Pin around the entire top edge of the bag. Sew around the top edge using a ½-inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the end of the seam. Remove the bag and trim off your excess threads. Turn your bag right side out.
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