Tote bags are super easy to make with just a yard of fabric and some purchased web trim for the handles! This size is perfect for groceries – flat bottom and not too big (or too small) to fit just the right amount in the bag that doesn’t make the bag too heavy.
Use a durable fabric like canvas or denim. The bottom is doubled and interfaced to make it study and easy to pack and unpack.
Learn how to sew tote bags with our step-by-step tutorial to make your own pattern pieces. By drafting your own pattern with our detailed instructions, you’ll be able to make your own bag. From a small tote to a medium tote and a large tote this is a great bag to use as a reusable grocery bag.
Basic Tote Bag Tutorial
Make your own tote bag! This is an easy sewing project perfect for beginners.
Materials
- 1 yard of fabric for tote bag
- 5/8 yard of interfacing for bottom of bag - Optional but recommended
- 1-1/2 yard of webbing trim for handles
- Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Ruler or tape measure
- Scissors for cutting fabric, interfacing and trim
Instructions
- Cut out your fabric pieces and interfacing:
Tote bag body: cut two (2) pieces 22" wide x 16" tall
Tote bag bottom: cut two (2) pieces 22" wide x 13" tall
Interfacing: cut two (2) pieces 21" wide x 10" tall
Straps: cut two (2) pieces 26" long
Press the interfacing to the wrong side of the tote bottom pieces according to manufacturer's directions. NOTE: The interfacing is slightly smaller than the tote fabric so there is less bulk in the seam allowances.
- Layer one of the bag pieces between the two bottom pieces, with the bottom pieces right sides together on the 22" side of the fabrics. This is the flat width of the bag before boxing the bottom. It doesn't matter which way you layer the tote bag piece for this first seam, as the bag body will be sandwiched between the two right-sides-facing bottom pieces.
- Sew along the edge with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Now we are ready to sew the other body piece to the bottom of the bag. Fold up the attached tote bag piece inside the two bottom pieces, leaving the ends open. Line up the second tote bag piece along the open long edge of the bottom pieces, with the bag body oriented the same way as the first tote bag piece. Example, if the top is the right side up, make the second piece top right side up. Here is a close up of how the layering should look.
- And, another angle of the layering of the tote bag pieces sandwiched inside the bottom pieces.
- Sew the other long side of the three (3) layered pieces of fabric.
- From the open ends, turn the tote bag right side out by pulling at the tote bag fabric. Now you have a finished bottom to your tote bag that is a little more sturdy with its double layers of fabric and interfacing, and the inside edges are finished on the bottom without the raw edges showing. this gives the bottom of the bag a professional finish.
- Press the seams and bag flat.
(Note to self: I should have tried to match the stripes! Maybe next time!) - I like to finished the inside edges of the side seams along both long edges with my serger before sewing the seam in Step 11. If you don't have a serger, you can use a zig zag stitch on your sewing machine, or skip this step if you don't think you'll be washing the tote often enough for fraying to be a problem.
- Press in the top facings now while the bag is still flat. Start by pressing along each top edge in about 1/4-inch.
- Turn that in another 2 inches and press to make a top facing. Do not sew yet. That will happen in Step 18.
- Now we are ready to sew the side seams. Fold the piece in half, right sides together. Line up the sewn seams on the bottom so they match on the side seams. I like to pin that seam so it doesn't shift. Open and match the top pressed folds to sew the side seams.
- Sew side seams with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Press open.
- Next, we'll box the bottoms. Keep the bag with wrong sides out and folded in half. For each side seam, form a triangle at the bottom by matching seams. Check the seam alignment by feel or by inserting pins, Measure a line from the point where the two bottom seams match along the side seam to the fold about 4-1/2 inches. Adjust, if needed, until the seam is centered and each side measures about 4-1/2 inches from seam to diagonal fold. When the two sides are even, secure with pins.
- Pin and sew right along the seam where the bottom and side of the bag meet. Repeat on the other side. This will form a nice boxy bottom to your tote bag.
- Trim away the excess fabric leaving about 1/4" - 1/2" seam allowance.
- Again, I like to finish the edge with my serger. And, if you don't have a serger, you can use the zig sag stitch on your sewing machine. Totally optional.
- Here is the bag turned right side out. See what a nice bottom this makes for your tote bag?
- Finally, we will finish off the top and add the bag handles. Refold the pressed lines all around the top of your bag. See how it was easier to press them in place when the bag was laying flat?
Using your topstitch foot, move your needle to the right 2-3 positions and stitch the bottom edge of the facing.
- Then, move your needle 2-3 positions to the left and topstitch all around the top of your tote.
- Lastly, cut your handle pieces to your desired length and place them where you'd like them on the top of your bag. I like to line up the cut edge of the handle with the lower stitching line for the top facing. Pin in place and topstitch all around the edge to secure.
- And, you have sewn your own tote bag!
Notes
- You can use fusible fleece instead of interfacing for a thicker bag bottom.
- Want a shoulder strap? Make the bag handles longer!
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Here are a few more images of the finished tote bag. Switch up the fabrics and colors. Great project for some of your bigger scraps of home dec fabric!
Sew tote bags to use as creative gift wrapping! Make one to use as a diaper bag with a cute print. Make it bigger for a great beach bag.
How much fabric do you need to sew a tote bag?
With only one yard of fabric, you can sew your own tote bag. You can use all one fabric as I did, or use up to four different fabrics.
What types of fabrics are best for sewing tote bags?
The best fabrics are denim or canvas. This is a perfect project for left over home dec or upholstery fabrics. Make a cute bag with a drop cloth from painting projects! Pick pretty prints for a new tote bag!
How do I make tote bags in different sizes?
It’s easy to make tote bags any size you’d like.
First measure how tall you want your tote bag. Add 1/2″ for the bottom seam allowance and 2-1/4″ for the top facing. This will be one of the measurements for your tote bag body pieces. Example: For a finished tote bag height of 15″, you would cut 15 + 2-1/4″ + 1/2″ = 17-3/4″
Next, how wide do you want your finished tote bag? Note that number for now.
Next, determine how deep you want your bag. This will help determine the final measurement for the tote body, as well as the first measurement for the tote bottom. If your bag will be 8″ deep, your bottom piece will be 9″ for one dimension – 8″ PLUS 1/2″ seam allowances. With the 8″ finished depth, we now know the other dimension for the tote body. Take the finished measurement you determined above for the width of your bag, add the depth of the bag PLUS 1″ for the two seam allowances.
Example, you want a 15″ finished width bag, with an 8″ gusset. the width of your two (2) tote bag body pieces will be 15 + 8 + 1 = 24″. If you want the finished tote height to be 15″, you will cut your two tote bag body pieces at 17-3/4″ x 24″.
Since the bag body piece will be cut at 24″ wide, you’ll cut your bottom tote pieces at 24″ wide by 9″ tall.
Cut your interfacing about 1/2″ smaller than the cut bottom pieces, so 23″ wide by 8″ tall.
Below is a diagram that should help you visualize the pieces. Use this formula to calculate your custom tote bag:
- Tote Bag Body Height: Total Height + 1/2″ seam allowance for bottom + 2-1/4″ seam allowance for top facing
- Tote Bag Body Width: Finish width + Total Depth + 1/2″ seam allowances for each side
- Tote Bag Bottom Width: Same as the Tote Bag Body Width
- Tote Bag Bottom Depth: Gusset Width + 1/2″ seam allowance for each side
Make your straps as short or long as you’d like! Play around – have fun sewing tote bags!
Can I add pockets to this bag?
Yes! It’s super easy to add both interior pockets or inside pockets to this basic bag pattern.
Decide how big you want the pocket and add 1-inch to both dimensions. For example, you want a cell phone pocket on the inside that measures 4-inches wide by 6-inches tall. You’ll cut a piece of fabric that is 5″ x 7″.
To make the pocket, zigzag finish the top edge. Fold it and press to the inside to finish the top edge. Straight stitch along the zig zag edge.
Next, press the other three (3) sides in 1/2-inch to the inside.
Pin the pocket to the inside of the bag where you want it and topstitch around the three folded edge sides. I like to use a topstitch foot for this step.
Want an exterior pocket? Follow the same instructions but sew it to the outside of your bag.
TIP: Add the pockets before you sew the tote bag together.
No more plastic bags when you can make super cute tote bags any size you’d like!
This bag is included in our Easy Bags to Sew article. Browse through more bag projects on Create Whimsy.
