How to Make a Mini Tote Bag

Make a cute mini tote bag as a favor for your next party. It is quick, easy to create and is made with canvas fabric. A holiday stencil design is painted on one side of the mini tote bag to reflect the kind of party you are having. Fill these mini totes with lotions and bath salts for a special girlfriend party, hair bands and barrettes for little girls or miniature cars for little boys. These mini tote bags make great church bags for little ones. Just fill with crayons, a small notepad and other quiet toys.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 yard solid canvas fabric
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Wax paper
• Stencil
• Acrylic paints
• Stencil brush

Instructions

1. Cut two pieces of the canvas fabric 7 1/2 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches long for the mini tote bag body and two pieces 2 1/2 inches wide by 10 inches long for the handle.

2. Place the two body pieces together and pin. Sew both 5 1/2-inch sides and the 7-inch bottom using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Match a side seam with the bottom seam. A triangle point will form at the corner. Pin the seams together where the bottom of the triangle measures 1 1/2 inches across. Pin the side seam and the bottom seam on the other side of the mini tote bag in the same way. Sew across the pinned 1 1/2-inch width. This will create a flat bottom on your mini tote bag. Cut the excess triangle off 1/4-inch from the seam.

3. Fold one handle piece in half lengthwise and pin. Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance along the pinned edge. Turn the handle right side out and press. Top stitch 1/4 inch from each long side of the handle. Repeat for the other handle piece.

4. Fold the top edge of the mini tote bag to the wrong side of the bag 1/4 inch and press. Fold the edge over 1/4 inch again, press and pin. Center and pin the ends of one handle 2 inches apart and 1/2 inch below the edge on one side of the mini tote bag. Pin the other handle to the other side of the bag. Top stitch the pinned hem on the bag attaching the handles as you sew.

5. Place a sheet of wax paper inside the mini tote bag. This will prevent the paints from bleeding through to the other side. Lay the stencil on one side of the mini tote bag and using the acrylic paints and stencil brush, paint the image. Allow the paint to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Fine-tip permanent markers come in an assortment of colors. Use one to outline your painted design to make it pop.