How to Sew Tote Bags

Stitch yourself up a carry-all

Tote bags come in all shapes and sizes and they are useful for stashing all sorts of things. Fashionable and functional, they can be used to store anything from sewing supplies to groceries and can function as a purse or a storage container. Tote bags can be made from funky designer fabric or from plain canvas, from old denim jeans or from felt. Sew yourself a few today.

Things You'll Need

• 2 kinds of fabric, 1/2 yard each
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pins
• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Cut two 15 by 18 inch rectangles from each piece of fabric (four in total), two for the lining and two for the outside of the tote bag. Cut a 2 by 18 inch strip from each piece of fabric to make the straps.

2. Place the right sides of the outside fabric together and sew around three sides of the tote, leaving the top of the bag open. Turn inside out and iron to press down the seams.

3. Place the right sides of the lining fabric together and sew around three sides of the tote, leaving the top of the bag open. Do not turn. Now place the lining inside the bag. Fold down a 1/2 inch seam of both the lining and the outside fabric on the top edge so that the folds meet in the space between the lining and the outside fabric. Press down the seams with an iron.

4. Fold each handle strap in half with wrong sides facing and sew together both long sides. Carefully turn inside out. One strap will be made out of the lining and the other out of the outside fabric.

5. Place the short ends of the handle straps into the space between the lining and outside fabric of the bag and pin into place. Stitch a top or outside stitch around the entire top of the bag to secure the straps and finish the bag.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use jeans, old T-shirts, canvas or felt to make these tote bags.

References

• Better Homes and Gardens: Vintage Fabric Tote Bag
• Martha Stewart: Felt Tote Bag
• Canadian Living: Simple and Stylish Tote Bag