Sew What, Alicia?

Easy Fabric Projects for all Levels

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me!
    • Signup!
  • All Things Sewing
  • Quilting
  • Cut Files
  • Christmas Sewing
Home » 15 Minute Sewing Tutorials » How to Make a Tote Bag (in 15 Minutes)
This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission from your purchase at no extra charge to you. See our full disclosures HERE.

March 30, 2018 by: sewwhatalicia

How to Make a Tote Bag (in 15 Minutes)

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

How to Make a Tote Bag (in 15 Minutes)

This is the latest installment in the 15 minute sewing series. I strive to teach you to sew easy projects that take 15 minutes (give or take a few depending on your speed and the distractions in your life!) This is a super quick project that only requires you to make a few straight stitches. This tote bag pattern has a lining which also makes it reversible. These are the perfect totes to throw your sunscreen and a book into and then head to the beach or the pool. Or make some for the kids to take to the library this summer. Here is how to make a tote bag.

How to Make a Tote Bag: This installment of the 15 minute sewing series has us creating an easy lined tote bag. This is a great beginner sewing project. Newbies will learn to create an easy tote pattern. Click through for the full tutorial. | www.sewwwhatalicia.com

How to Make a Tote Bag (in 15 Minutes)

This is one of my Easy Beginner Sewing Tutorials. To see a full list of easy sewing projects head HERE.

Once you have mastered this easy tote you can head over and try out this tote/backpack project!

Contents hide
1 Supplies
2 How to make tote handles
3 What is the size of a tote bag?
4 How to make a tote bag
5 How to add a lining
6 How long should tote straps be?
7 How to finish the tote
8 How to Make a Tote Bag Video Tutorial
9 PIN How to Make a Tote Bag
9.1 Related

Supplies

Two pieces of lining fabric

Two pieces of main fabric

Two faux leather handles – See the tutorial to make them HERE.

Walking Foot

Wonderclips (pictured instead of pins.)

How to Make a Tote Bag: Supplies pictured, four pieces of fabric and two leather handles. | www.sewwhatalicia.com

How to make tote handles

I like to use faux leather handles for my totes and purses. They are pretty easy to make and they are super durable and easy to install as well. Check out this post for a full tutorial.

You will want your straps to measure 30″ long finished. I like to use a contrasting color when I am finishing my handles. For this tote I used a pretty pink to really make the handles look like they were made just for the tote (which they were!)

You can also buy pre-made purse handles. You could also use webbing to create a more relaxed less fancy look for your tote handles. Webbing is super durable and great for bags you might be making for the kiddos.

What is the size of a tote bag?

The great thing about this tote bag pattern is that you can make it just about any size that you want! You could make a super small one that just holds a wallet. Or make a really big one that can hold tons of stuff (although you probably want to add some stabilizer if you make it big!)

For the tote pictured in this tutorial I cut two pieces from the main fabric and two pieces of lining fabric all measuring 15″x18″. If you are using a stripe like I did make sure and cut them so that the stripe will line up. You can accomplish this by folding the fabric and cutting them together so they look exactly the same.

No matter what size you decide to make your tote the most important thing is that you cut all four pieces exactly the same size.

How to make a tote bag

Now fold the top edge of all four pieces under 1/4″ and press in place (check out THESE tips for pressing.) Don’t skip the pressing, it will save you tons of time at the end.

How to make a tote bag: press the top edges under 1/4" | www.seewwhatalicia.com

Now take the two outside pieces and line them up right sides together. Pin on the sides first making sure that the stripes line up. Then you can adjust the other edges once the piece is sewn.

How to make a tote bag: place the two lining pieces right sides together and clip around three edges. | www.sewwhatalicia.com

Sew around the three edges (leaving the pressed edge un-sewn.)

How to make a tote bag: Sew around the three edges for both the lining and outside of tote. | www. sewwhatalicia.com

Turn the main piece out and push the corners out using a tool (I like my purple thang for the job!)

How to add a lining

This tote is reversible so you will want to trim the corners and turn the corners out on the lining piece as well. Then put the lining back right side in and stuff it into the main piece.

How to make a tote bag: Stuff the lining into the outside of bag. | www.sewwhatalicia.com

You can see in the picture above that you will want to start with the side seam. Offset the seams, press one to the left and one to the right, and then clip the two seams in place. Then repeat this step on the other side seam.

Don’t pin the entire top edge quite yet. You will want to insert the handles first.

How long should tote straps be?

The straps can be various sizes. You must first decide how you plan to carry the tote. To carry the tote just in your hand you want the straps to be much shorter, about 12″ each. But if you plan to put the straps up over your shoulder then they need to be longer, around 22″.

Place the end of the handle between the main layer and the lining layer. Clip in place. You can use a ruler to make sure that the handle is the same distance from each side.

How to make a tote bag: Line up the leather handles between the two layers of fabric. | www.sewwhatalicia.com

Then clip the second handle in place on the other side using the first handle as a guide for placement.

How to make a tote bag: Close up of pinned handle. | www.sewwhatalicia.com

How to finish the tote

Now go around the entire top of the tote using a coordinating thread and a straight stitch. Then to give it a more finished and professional look go around again 1/2″ below the original seam.

How to make a tote bag: Close up of finished top edge of bag. | www.sewwhatalicia.com

This tote is reversible since we placed the handles between the layers. So you can simply turn the inside out and you will have a completely different tote.

How to make a tote bag: This bag is reversible. Pictured is the flamingo print lining. | www.sewwhatalicia.com

There are so many great options for adding unique details to your tote. You could add a patch pocket inside or even on the front.

Try piecing together different fabrics to create a patchwork look.

How to Make a Tote Bag Video Tutorial

The possibilities are endless. What will you do to customize your tote? Share with me in the comments below.

How to make a tote bag: Finished beauty shot of tote hanging on ladder. | www.sewwhatalicia.com

Now you know how to make a tote bag with this tote bag pattern! You have to see the adorable mermaid iron on I put on this bag. See it HERE.

Want more 15 minute sewing? Head over HERE for more!

PIN How to Make a Tote Bag

How to Make a Tote Bag: This installment of the 15 minute sewing series has us creating an easy lined tote bag. This is a great beginner sewing project. Newbies will learn to create an easy tote pattern. Click through for the full tutorial. | www.sewwwhatalicia.com

Related

Never miss a stitch!

Never miss a stitch!

Signup be notified every time I stitch up something new!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
alicia

About Alicia

Hi I am Alicia thanks for taking some time out of your day to be with me! I am crazy about sewing and blogging! I love creating tutorials and patterns and sharing ideas with people! Read more...

Cuttable and Printable Tangrams PDF
Adorable Mermaid SVG File (Iron On Tips)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate This Project!




Comments

  1. Carole says

    September 26, 2021 at 5:55 am

    Many thanks dear Alicia for your great (& easy to follow) pattern,

    Sincerely, Carole S from Western Australia

    Reply
  2. Blaire Hobbs says

    January 23, 2023 at 4:50 am

    very cool

    Reply

I love to sew and I am passionate about teaching you everything that I know! Thank you for joining me on this journey!
READ MORE >>

Follow Me!

Signup be notified every time I stitch up something new!

You have Successfully Subscribed!



  • Home
  • About Me!
  • All Things Sewing
  • Quilting
  • Cut Files
  • Christmas Sewing

© 2023 sewwhatalicia.com. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest