Tutorial: How To Sew A Simple Tote Bag

Finally have the time to sit down and write this tutorial for you. It is only a simple tote bag.

What you'll need:

Scissors/rotary cutter
interfacing
straight edge ruler (optional)
2 pieces of fabric, 13h"x 16w"
2 pieces of lining, 13h"x 16w"
2 pieces of fabric, 4h"x7w" for pocket
2 pieces of fabric, 4"x20" for handles
disappearing marker/tailor's chalk

Tote Bag pattern - Download Here (You may draw your own pattern based on the pattern here)

1. Cut a piece of fabric 3"X 17" long. Press fabric in half lengthwise. Fuse interfacing to wrong sides of fabric.

2. Press each outside edge  about 0.5cm to the center.

3. Fold fabric in half, press and iron.

4. Top-stitch down each side of strap close to the edge.

5. Repeat step 1-4 for the second strap.

Fuse interfacing to wrong sides of lining. Pin in place and edge-stitch the pocket along pocket's side and bottom edges. Leave top edge open.

Place your handles about 3" from the long edge of would will become the top of your purse. Pin on each side, taking care not to twist the strap.

Repeat for the second handle. You can sew them on at this point, or just leave them pinned.

Cut into square the 2 corners from bottom of fabric and lining about 1 1/2"x1 1/2".

Sew fabric right sides together on three sides and also outer fabric right sides together on three sides.

Repeat for the lining but leave a 5" opening along bottom edge of lining for turning bag right side out.

I like to back stitch (see arrow) where the opening will begin and at the end.  Press the seam flat open. When you remove the long stitches in between the back stitching on both ends, you'll have a nice line which you can use as your guide to slip stitch.

Take one of the 2 square corners which you have cut before. Press evenly so that the seams of the sides are pushed together.  Match the seams as best you can, and pin. Sew 1/2" along the opening. You are forming a gusset to give the bag a little depth. Repeat for all four corners.

Insert bag body inside bag lining with right sides together - straps should be between bag and lining. Align raw edges and seams.

Stitch together upper edges of bags body and lining, back-stitching over each strap for reinforcement.

Turn bag and lining side out through opening the lining.  Slip stitch opening of lining or you can machine stitch to close the opening. I like to slip stitch, so the opening will look like this (nothing at all).

Push lining inside the bag and top stitch 1/8" all the way around the top of bag.

Finished! You can change the size and make some really fun little book bags, diapers bag or diapers pouch too.

Let me know if something isn't clear. Have fun, and happy sewing! ^^

Download this tutorial in pdf document.