I have been loving the suggestions for the "Yes, You Can Make It" posts! Thank you! So up first is a request for a tutorial on how to make a reversible tote. If you have something you are interested in making please fill out the form in the left sidebar.
You will need:
2 pieces fabric 13 1/2 inches X 14 inches (outside)
2 pieces fabric 13 1/2 inches X 14 inches (lining)
1 piece 4'' X about 44" long
1. Cut a piece of fabric 4"X 44" long. Press fabric in half lengthwise.
2. Open fabric up and press each outside edge to the center.
3. Fold fabric in half and press.
4. Top-stitch down each side of strap close to the edge. Cut fabric in half so you have two straps about 22 inches long each.
Cut four pieces fabric 13 1/2 inches X 14 inches.
Sew lining fabric right sides together on three sides and also outer fabric right sides together on three sides. For this bag the bottom is 13 1/2 inches wide and the sides 14 inches long. The bag can be made any size.
3. Pinch bottom corner together and stitch across 1 1/2 inches from corner.
4. Repeat until all four corners have been sewn.
5. Place lining fabric inside the outside fabric right sides together.
6. Place straps in between right sides of fabric on each side about two to three inches from the side edge.
7. Pins straps and top edge of bag well. Stitch around top of bag 1/2 inch from edge. Leave a 2-3 inch opening for turning bag (I usually leave this on the side).
8. Turn bag inside out.
9. Push lining inside the bag and top stitch all the way around the top of bag. This will close up the opening used for turning.
Finished!
You might be interested in making a matching pocket tissue holder and zippered pouch to go with your tote!
The fabric is from Heather Bailey. I used Pineapple Brocade in green and Zag Stripe in gold (I think).
Updating...
Just finished my 1st tote bag with these instructions and it came out great! Actually easy! Great step by step instructions !
Hi, I really love this bag and I’ve just begun to sew and so I’m kinda new to this. I’ve finished upto step 4 but I’m a big stuck on step 5. please can you help me.
Hi, I’m new to sewing and I’m still a little unsure of how to do things but I love this bag and I’m trying to make it. I’ve reached step 4 but I’m a bit stuck on step 5. How do I place the 2 fabrics one inside the other (should both be inside out?) and how do I sew the seam (the one with the handles attached) so that the seam goes inside like yours does? Please can someone help me out.
Thanks.
My email id is Mehtasanaya@hotmail.com if anyone can give me an idea.
First of all, love the pattern that you used. Just looking at it made me smile. Second, this tutorial is so easy to follow, it’s awesome. Thanks for this.
Loving your choice of fabric. It’s such a happy looking fabric.
The link is on my blog on the left.
Great job! I love the flower addition.
[...] looks good. Perhaps my students will think I know what I’m doing this week. I used this tutorial for the [...]
Thank you for sharing this tutorial.! It is very well written and easy to follow. I am using it to make customized trick-or-treat bags for my son’s friends. I will link to your tutorial when I blog my project.
Have just made 3 bags for Christmas presents, thankyou so much they look really great. The material I got in a charity shop for £1.50 and the lining I paid 50p. I loved making them as I’ve just got a new sewing machine and need the practise.
How to bag a big bag with inside pockets, zipper, step by step?
I’m from Brazil and I don’t speak English very well.
Thank you for your attention.
Hello, Just wanted to say thank you so much for this tutorial! I found this post over a year ago and didn’t think I was good enough to give it a shot an make it look good, but tonight I finally gave it a shot. I made a trick or treat bag for my daughter. It has a few mishaps but still looks nice. Tomorrow night I’m going to make another one for my son! I have so many plans for more bags with different prints! <3<3<3 Thank You!
I am so glad you are having success! Enjoy.
http://buffaloeggs.blogspot.com/2011/10/nap-time-crafting-trick-or-treat-bags.html
Here is my version of your bag. Thanks again for taking the time to write this tutorial.
I just finished this bag yesterday. Thanks for the easy to understand instructions. My bag is so cute, my boyfriend didn’t know that I made it myself when I showed him. I just started sewing and this is my second bag, but aside from the fact that my lining was a teensy big larger than the outside bag, it came out really well! Thank you thank you thank you! I can’t wait to make this again (and cut better the next time)!
Here’s my bag: http://aimlessknitter.com/2011/10/reversible-tote-bag/
[...] happy with how they turned out.If you want to try making a tote bag for yourself, I referenced the tutorial here, though I didn’t use her measurements.On to the pictures of the final products… [...]
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn lots of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
Wow I have already made two of these. The only thing I did was add a ruffled pocket (inspired by Mommy by Day Crafter by Night: http://mommybydaycrafterbynight.blogspot.com/2011/08/ruffled-tote-tutorial.html). Your instructions were perfect to follow with all the pictures needed to understand what to do. You just saved me an entire sewing class! Thank you!
Just made my first bag, not only was it easy but it was also fun to do… Thank you for the simple instructions
[...] Tweet Simple Reversible Tote [...]
LOVE this tutorial ! Sew very easy to follow , I am planning on making several for gifts.
Just made this bag. Love this tutorial and all the others. Thank you for sharing your talents.
thank you so much. I was all over the make a tote sites last night and hesitant to make the tote but then I remembered your site which I recently found and whola – there you were with clear, easy instructions for a tote. I am half way through it and it is actually looking soooo nice. Thank you so much as I am making it for my daughter for xmas as well as other items, all making from your site. I appreciate your so clear instructions as I am not talented in this but thought I’d try as funds are short this year and all my items are being homemade from fabric I have on hand and they are looking pretty good so far. thank you so much.
I am making the reverible tote as your clear, easy instruction convienced me I could do it. I am half way through. Thanks to your site my daughter will be getting xmas this year – homemade. thanks again.
I just made my first tote and only my second sewing project following these instructions. Turned out great! Your directions were super clear and easy to follow. Thank you so much!
This was so easy. Following the step by step instructions made it very simple. I’m on the second one. Great for Christmas gifts especially since grocery bags are now frowned upon in our city.
excellent instructions…easy and fast…did in an hour!!! i made 20 x 17 bag with 23 inch straps (made of cord) with 2 inch triangle corners. definitely will use this again. thanks!
[...] Simple reversible tote bag [...]
[...] you need is: fabric and a sewing machine. Here is a simple step-by-step you can use to help you make your tote bag. I gave it a shot myself and here’s how it turned [...]
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I haven’t sewn in awhile and the visauls really help. I’m making bags for my X-mas gifts! Aloha!
[...] Tote bags are a fun and practical gift. Make one to match the zippered pouch or showcase a cute fabric. The tutorial for this bag can be found here. [...]
@Sanaya for step #5 you take the 2 peices of fabric that are the same pattern and sew 3 sides. you dont sew the top because that will be the opening of the bag. thats the best i can explain it. im not sure if you cheaking anymore but tried to help good luck
I love this pattern – I attempted my first tote today and it tote’s came out awesome! I changed it around a bit to be able to make use of the fabric I had laying around, let me know what you think! http://elizamiddleton.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/rainy-sundays/#
Just made my first tote bag today using your tutorial as a guide. It was very easy to follow. Thanks so much!
Hi… I just made two tote bags from your tutorial and I love them. Very easy and simple, the results are so pretty. Both of my girls love their new tote bags. Thank you…! Keep sharing and happy sewing…
Just finished making this tote. What fun , so easy and it turned out great. These make great gifts and now with plastic bags being banned all over the place they are very handy too!!!!!
Thank you so much for this tutorial! It was so clear and easy to understand, even for a novice sewer like me. I needed a tote bag to lug my books and stuff to school and thought, surely I can make one myself and then after messing up on my own I found this and I did it! Thank you!!!
This was the first project I made with a sewing machine. I’m 48, and my partner got me one for Christmas. (I’d asked for one, after years of watching Project Runway.) Anyway, this seemed doable, and it turned out quite nicely. No one will mistake it for Louis Vuitton, but it’s something I could take out in public. Thanks!
Hi,
I also made my first bag with your tutorial! Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was very easy with your explaination and pictures! My three little girls ara all waiting for there own now, so I know what tho do with my sewing machine and fabrics! Again, thank you so much!
Kind regards
Francesca
Just whipped up 3 of these bags today for a new family at our church that has 3 little girls. The mom came up to me after church on Sunday and asked how I got my kids to sit so nicely (she caught them on a good day), I told her that each had a church bag. When I woke up this morning I said to my husband that I wanted to make the girls each a bag…he said that it was a good idea. I used your tutorial over a year ago to make trick or treat bags for my kids. So quick & easy! Thanks!
Hello!
I made three bags recently, and I modified your instructions to account for my mistakes.
Here they are; feel free to use them, if you want.
— Lea
You will need:
2 pieces fabric 14 1/2 inches X 16 inches (outside)
2 pieces fabric 14 1/2 inches X 16 inches (lining)
1 piece 4” X about 44″ long, or 2 pieces 4″ x 28” long (longer straps)
The Straps
1. Press strap fabric in half lengthwise.
2. Open fabric up and press each outside edge to the center.
3. Fold fabric in half and press.
4. Top-stitch down each side of strap close to the edge. Cut fabric in half so you have two straps about 22 inches long each.
The Bag
Sew lining fabric right sides together on three sides and also outer fabric right sides together on three sides.
Pinch bottom corner together and stitch across 1 1/2 inches from corner. Repeat until all four corners have been sewn. Press long sides open.
Turn lining fabric right side out. Pin straps to right side of lining fabric, matching edges, about 2-3 inches from the side seam. Make sure the straps are oriented the same way.
Insert lining and straps into outside of bag (which is still inside out). Pin straps and top edge of bag well. Stitch around top of bag 1/2 inch from edge. Leave a 2-3 inch (no less!) opening for turning bag. I usually leave the opening on the side.
Turn bag inside out. Push lining inside the bag and top stitch all the way around the top of bag. This will close up the opening used for turning.
I am 16 and I have probably only used a sewing machine 5 times in my life. This bag was so easy to make!!! I made it for a bag for my school books and it looks GREAT! Instead of 13 1/2 by 14 inch rectangles I did 20 by 17 inch rectangles and a 2 inch corner stitch. I also only did one long strap which I attached at the side seems. I love it and I think I will be using this for Christmas presents this coming year!!! Also, (to anyone who doesn’t sew very often) I couldn’t really wrap my head around the concepts from step to step at first but I did exactly as it said I didn’t mess up once. They really are easy step to step instruction.
I love this! Just learning how to sew and this looks like something I might be able to do on my own, thank you so much for sharing. =)
[...] How to make a simple (reversible) tote bag by Skiptomylou [...]
[...] The tote bags turned out amazing! The bags are reversible and have a professional looking finish. It’s a great first-time project. You can find the tutorial we used on the Skip to my Lou blog. [...]
[...] you are looking for an easy Tote Bag to make Skip To My Lou have a very good one. If you would like the patterns for the bag and are quite at ease with knowing [...]
Loved this – easy to make. I changed it by using an old fabric belt for the handle, and making it run from seam to seam as a long over the shoulder type one.