How to Sew a Reversible Tote Bag

A reversible tote bag can be sewn in an afternoon using two rectangular pieces of fabric. The method is similar to lining a bag, with the lining fabric chosen to be an alternative outside fabric when the bag is flipped inside out. The sizes and shapes of both the bag and handles can be adapted easily and sewn using the same method.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 38-by-15 inch rectangle of fabric A and fabric B
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Pins
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Iron

1. From one shorter end of each rectangle, cut two 15-by-4 inch strips. These will be used to make the bag handles.

2. To make the handles, take a small strip of fabric A and place it right sides together with a small strip of fabric B, and repeat for the other two strips. Pin them along the center.

3. 
   Handles

   Sew along the edge of each handle piece leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance to form a tube. Flip the tubes right-sides out and press flat so that each side of the handle is a different fabric. T,hen over-stitch by sewing along the right sides of each edge, 1/2 inch away from the seams.

4. Take each bag piece of fabric and press in half to form a folded 15-inch square. Sew along the side seams of each piece leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance, then trim the bottom corners diagonally. Flip the fabric A bag right-side out, and leave the fabric B bag wrong-side out.

5. 

   Pin the handles to the outside of both sides of the fabric A bag, lining the raw edges of the handle along the raw edge at the top of the bag. Space them evenly and with the fabric A side of the handles facing the fabric A bag. Machine baste the handles to the sides of the bag close to the raw edges.

6. 
   Pin the two fabric bags together

   Take the fabric B bag and place it on top of the fabric A bag, matching the raw edges at the top so that you have the two bags on top of each other with the handles sandwiched in the middle. Pin along the top edges through both layers of fabric and the handles along one side of the bag only.

7. Sew the top seam, sewing from inside the fabric B bag, through the handles and the A and B sides of fabric. When you have completed one side, repeat for half of the other side. You will have to stop sewing once you have half of the last side left, as it will become impossible to sew.

8. 
   Pin the gap in the top seam closed

   Push the fabric B bag inside the fabric A bag so that it forms a lining, and the raw seams are invisible, with a gap along the top seam. Tuck the raw edges of the remaining open top seam inside so that the seam matches the rest of the bag, and pin it closed.

9. Over-stitch the entire top seam once leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance, and once again as close to the outer edge as you can get. Trim any long threads.

Tips & Warnings

• You can create a different look by having the contrasting side of the handles facing out. Use fabrics that are similar in weight. For a sturdier bag, iron fusible interfacing to the fabric pieces before sewing them together.
• When sewing the top seam of the two bags and handles together, make sure all the extra fabric is out of the way of your sewing machine's needle. You will have to maneuver the fabric around the machine to sew the seam.