How to make a simple (reversible) tote bag

July 17, 2009 · 198 Comments

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...

198 Responses to “How to make a simple (reversible) tote bag”

#1 Traci Lynn July 17, 2009, 5:58 am

Thanks for the simple, clear instructions. Love the fabrics you picked! Wonderful tutorial.
#2 Katherine July 17, 2009, 6:32 am

Great bag. The directions look easy to follow, and it looks like a great idea for personalized Christmas presents. Thanks for sharing!
#3 Tracey@cute2carry July 17, 2009, 6:39 am

Super job showing this great project!
#4 Amber July 17, 2009, 6:42 am

What a cute idea!
#5 Michelle July 17, 2009, 7:06 am

Great tutorial…thanks for sharing!
#6 Biddy July 17, 2009, 7:21 am

forget the directions…i’m LOVING the fabric!!!
#7 Alecia July 17, 2009, 7:29 am

You do the best tutorials. So easy to understand. Love it!
#8 Janet O'Connor July 17, 2009, 7:47 am

Thank you for sharing this project. It looks adorable – great for gifts or shopping, knitting, small quilting projects. I really appreciate this.
Janet
#9 Sheryl July 17, 2009, 8:13 am

This was a very well done instructional. I love teaching my granddaugters to sew….this will be a perfect 4-H project for my ten year olds. Thank you.
#10 a thorn among roses July 17, 2009, 8:25 am

i love the extra detail…oike the corners here! awesome! thanks again for all the great ideas!
#11 Tracy July 17, 2009, 8:27 am

Wow! That is super simple! I will definitely make some of these. I have been making bags for years and really hate how over complicated patterns can be sometimes. Love your blog! Thanks!
#12 Donna July 17, 2009, 8:32 am

These are very simple instructions that even I think I can make one. Thanks for posting it!
#13 Lindsey@A Kindred Spirit's Thoughts July 17, 2009, 8:56 am

Wow, what an AWESOME tutorial! I don’t want to miss any of your tutes now…
#14 Someday Crafts July 17, 2009, 9:12 am

Love the material. This is a simple bag I could make. I linked to it at somedaycrafts (dot)blogspot (dpt)com
#15 Charity July 17, 2009, 9:21 am

Love this tute as well! I think this will be a great first bag to sew up! Thanks for all the great tutes!
#16 Karen July 17, 2009, 10:03 am

I love that fabric! Could you tell the name of it and/or where you got it? I so am making one like that! Thanks so much for the clear & beautiful tutorial.
#17 Kari@Ucreate July 17, 2009, 10:20 am

I can’t wait to make lots of these!! This is my next project. This tutorial is so appealing!
#18 cindylouh July 17, 2009, 10:22 am

The fabric is from Heather Bailey. I used Pineapple Brocade in green and Zag Stripe in gold (I think).
#19 Dee Tracy July 17, 2009, 10:42 am

I love your tutorials! You have a wonderful teaching style!
#20 jules p July 17, 2009, 11:35 am

this looks so simple. makes me want to try it. and i do not even sew. thanks..i am passing it along to my daughter for her to make one!
#21 Christina July 17, 2009, 12:54 pm

I have just recently discovered crafting blogs and yours is definately emerging as one of my favorites! My list of to dos keeps growing. Now if someone could just come watch my kiddos so I could have time to sew all of your great projects.
#22 Julie/Fabulous Finds Studio July 17, 2009, 3:35 pm

Fabulous tutorial…so easy to make!
#23 Tutorial: Reversible tote bag · Sewing @ CraftGossip July 18, 2009, 8:48 am

[...] Skip to My Lou shows how to make this reversible tote bag. Go to the tutorial. [...]
#24 Anne Weaver July 18, 2009, 8:52 am

Great tutorial!!! I posted a link to it on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-reversible-tote-bag/2009/07/18/
–Anne
#25 Tina Gilliland July 18, 2009, 8:52 am

How very cute!!! Love the fabric. I’m posting your blinkie on my blog. LOVE your site!
#26 Vändbar tygkasse – steg för steg « Nytt om sytt July 19, 2009, 12:34 am

[...] Här hittar du en bra beskrivning på hur du syr en fin vändbar tygkasse. Tygkassar kan man aldrig få för många av verkar det som. De går bara åt på något sätt. Gillar den här varianten med lite botten så det går lätt att packa den i affären, ändå är den ganska okomplicerad att sy i och med att hörnen bara sys av för att göra den. [...]
#27 The Redhead Riter July 19, 2009, 2:46 am

Great directions with good photos. I enjoy your blog.

☼Hope you’re having a sunshine ☼ filled Sunday!☼
#28 Tricia July 19, 2009, 8:59 pm

Perfect tutorial! I have my fabric waiting to be made into something special. Your bag looks great & I think I’ll add a pocket or two. Thanks!
#29 Hilary July 20, 2009, 8:33 pm

I absolutely love this bag. I made one tonight, the instruction were great and very easy to understand!
#30 Rachel July 21, 2009, 6:32 pm

Wow, this is fantastic, thanks so much! I’ll be linking.
#31 Multi-purpose Ski Badge Reel « Skip To My Lou July 22, 2009, 6:26 am

[...] And it clips to the strap of our new library bag [...]
#32 Breanne July 22, 2009, 2:52 pm

I did it… miss zero sewing skills! thanks for your wonderful tutorial. It was as easy as mac and cheese!
#33 Karin July 23, 2009, 12:12 pm

Thank you so much for the inspiration and the clear directions. I just made this for a friend’s birthday in linen, lined with quilting cotton with a little patchwork on the front to make it “gift-worthy.”

Fantastic!
#34 tankandtwig July 25, 2009, 10:57 pm

Great instructions for a cute bag! Too bad I can hardly thread a needle…
#35 Maine Quilts 2009 « Squirrel Acorns July 30, 2009, 7:22 pm

[...] some tote bags, which is why I haven’t sent it off yet. I’m using the tutorial that Skip to My Lou just posted a little while [...]
#36 Child’s Apron Tutorial « Skip To My Lou August 5, 2009, 7:13 am

[...] up and press each edge to center, then fold in half and press(for a visual on this technique look here on how tote bag strap is pressed). Finish each end the same way as the ruffle ends. Pin to top of [...]
#37 Reversible tote bag « Squirrel Acorns August 6, 2009, 7:59 pm

[...] used the tutorial that Skip to My Lou posted recently to make a reversible tote bag for my friend. Didn’t it turn out cute? I [...]
#38 grammareg August 8, 2009, 7:14 am

This is the easiest to read instructional I’ve ever read. Thanks for such a great idea~
#39 A is for Annie « Skip To My Lou August 11, 2009, 10:28 am

[...] by helping them make some cool stuff for back to school. Annie made this darling tote. We used this tutorial and added an applique to the front. We used the letter template from this post but enlarged the [...]
#40 Julie E. August 11, 2009, 8:16 pm

These are so, so cute and easy to make! I finally made one today and couldn’t believe how quick it was. Can’t wait to make many more!
#41 betsy August 12, 2009, 7:18 pm

excellent tutorial.
#42 rmenda August 16, 2009, 8:24 pm

The top two photos in the instructions are not working..

I will bookmark in hopes the photos will start working again so I try this later !
#43 More tote bags! « Squirrel Acorns August 17, 2009, 1:19 pm

[...] on the same tutorial from Skip to my Lou, I also made a similar tote with some linen, applique and sketchy stitching as part of a [...]
#44 love it August 22, 2009, 7:26 pm

I love this. May I make a copy?
#45 MOM of Girls September 12, 2009, 9:31 pm

Thanks for such easy to follow, clear pics. I found fabric and made a bag all in one day- that’s a miracle for me!
#46 Rebecca September 29, 2009, 10:13 pm

Thanks for the great tutorial. I pulled out my sewing machine and dusted it off and whipped up one of these bags in about 2 hours.
#47 Kate October 24, 2009, 4:41 am

Fantastic tutorial! I haven’t sewn since high school and I managed to make one of these bags in about 2.5 hours. I made it as a first birthday gift for our friends daughter and filled it with cardboard books. They all commented on how lovely the bag was and were impressed when I said I had made it!
Thank you!!
#48 Lia November 1, 2009, 7:21 pm

Thanks for the great instructions- I modified the dimensions to make a different shape bag, and it turned out beautifully! And it only took a couple hours total. I’ll want to make more in the future.
#49 Jennfier November 22, 2009, 3:07 am

Your website has been invaluable to me. I am making bags for people for the holidays, and the step by step photos are fantastic. Thank you!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alchemyjen/4123536581/
#50 Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas « Cyn's View of Reality December 1, 2009, 8:55 pm

[...] http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/07/17/how-to-make-a-simple-reversible-totebag/ [...]

Skip to my Lou

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How to make a simple (reversible) tote bag

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198 Responses to “How to make a simple (reversible) tote bag”

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