Here is a simple tote bag pattern to walk you step by step through how to make a super cute tote. The best part is that it’s reversible! Make one for yourself — or make a dozen as gifts!

With a little practice, you can turn out these simple bags on a sewing machine in no time. Lined totes are super easy, and they can be made in so many cute variations. Plus, don’t miss our pattern for a matching zippered pouch!

flowered tote bag

Tote Bag Pattern

For this reversible tote bag sewing project, you will need the following fabric pieces:

  • 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

How to make a tote bag

First, let’s start by making the straps.

1. Cut a piece of fabric 4″ X 44″ long. Press fabric in half lengthwise.

2. Open the fabric up and press each outside edge to the center.

3. Fold fabric in half and press.

4. Top-stitch down each side of the strap close to the edge. Cut the fabric in half so you have two straps about 22 inches long each.

strap instructions showing folding

Now let’s make the tote bag.

1. Cut four pieces of fabric 13 1/2 inches X 14 inches.

fabric cut into pieces for tote bag pattern

2. Lay lining fabric right sides together and sew on three sides. Leave one side open for the top! Next, sew your outer fabric pieces right sides together on three sides.

For this project, the bottom of the bag is 13 1/2 inches wide and the sides 14 inches long.  But the bag can be made any size.

fabric with stitching lines to show how to make a tote bag

3. Now we need to “box” the bottom of the bag. Pinch the bottom corner together and stitch across 1 1/2 inches from the corner. Do this for the lining and also the outer fabric.

corner of tote bag

4. Repeat until all four corners have been sewn.

tote bag inside out

5. Place lining fabric inside the outside fabric right sides together. I slipped the lining fabric up a bit so you can see how it slips in.

how to make a tote bag sewing instructions

6. Place straps in between right sides of the fabric on each side about two to three inches from the side edge.

where to add straps 1 inch from sides

7. Pins straps and the top edge of the bag well. Stitch around the top of the bag 1/2 inch from the edge. Leave a 2-3 inch opening for turning the bag (I usually leave this on the side).

pinned fabric

8. Turn bag inside out.

tote bag right side out

9. Push lining inside the bag and topstitch all the way around to hem the top of the bag. This will close up the opening used for turning.

Topstitching also makes the seams more durable, so they won’t strain and pull apart if you use the tote to carry heavy stuff.

edge stitching on top of tote

Finished! How exciting! You did it. I hope you make tons of totes with this tote bag pattern! They make great gifts.

Tips for the perfect reversible tote bag

Here are some other optional tips that might help:

  • Maybe you need longer or shorter handles than the size in this pattern. To modify, just drape a measuring tape over your shoulder and see what feels right to you.
  • You can use a heavy canvas or Duck cloth — in which case you’ll need to adjust your sewing machine needle accordingly.
  • If you use a lightweight fabric, you may want to line it with a fusible fleece — just follow directions on the fleece packaging to fuse it to the wrong sides of one set of your fabric pieces.
  • Are you feeling ambitious? You might experiment with adding pockets or dividers!
  • Tote bags are perfect for taking your lunch to work, transporting groceries, or packing gym clothes. Cut down on plastic bags with washable, handy-dandy, eye-catching totes!
heather bailey fabric used for reversible tote bag

Now that you know how to make a tote bag you might also like to make a matching pleated zippered pouch to go with your new tote! A zippered pouch is really the perfect use for extra fabric leftover from making a tote bag. You will be surprised at how easy it is to put in a zipper with this zippered pouch tutorial.

flowered pleated zippered pouch

The fabrics used in these projects are created by Heather Bailey. I used Pineapple Brocade in green and Zag Stripe in gold (I think).

There are so many fabric choices out there, the possibilities are endless. Did you give this pattern a whirl? I’d love to see the tote bags you made!

Want to make your tote bag more personal? Try these easy applique monograms with free printable letters.

Tote bags remind me of things like baskets, and other containers that you store things in. Check out these great DIY Fabric Storage Containers. They bring function and decoration to any room.

I would love to keep you fully stocked with creative ideas, yummy recipes, fun crafts, and loads of free printables. Subscribe to Skip to my Lou to get new ideas delivered to your inbox. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram for all my latest updates.


About Cindy Hopper

Learn More

you may also like

Comments

  1. Do you have instructions for easy tote/purse with zipper and pcckets. If so would love to get that as well. This tutorial was very helpful. Thanks so much!!
    Rose

  2. Thank you for your tutorial! The bag came out really well. It’s my first sewing project I’ve ever done. I finally got around to using the machine I’ve had for years and also use some old table linens. I’m still not quite sure I did the corners right, but it looks okay to me!

  3. Hi…loved your bag!!! Very very simple and turns out just Greaet!!! I have been cutting out a bunch as I am part of a group of ladies who make items for the community. We will be filling these bags with necessities and treats for ladies who are much in need at christmas!!! Thanks so much!

  4. Your tutorial was very easy to follow. From cutting to sewing it took me under 2 hours to make using a very sturdy material. I’m going to change the dimensions to make the tote larger and replace all my shopping bags.

    I always iron along the way and found it helpful especially when lining up the seams to make the corners for the bottom. Thanks so much!

  5. Made this VERY CUTE bag this evening- I could not be more excited about how cute it turned out and how quickly I was able to put it together! New to sewing, but very inspired by this turning out so adorable! Thanks!

  6. thanx a lot for this gorgeous tutorial!

    it was very helpful and made it so easy!

    hugs and kisses from germany,
    silvi xoxo

  7. I just wanted to say thank you for this tute!!!! I saw this on You Tube and it was so confusing, and each segment lasted about a minute and could not find the next step to work on….I was so upset and liked it so. Well, now I see this and u did a great job and cannot wait to do it now. Going to make a quick tote for a lady that loves dogs and retiring and she will be able to take it to the dog shows and all. Thank you so much for doing a great job here and so great…..It is people like you that make it great to be a quilter and able to share!!!!!

  8. Yes, what Sara says is correct!

    Also, I find ironing them before measuring/stitching to be extremely helpful. Actually, although some people find it annoying to do it, I find ironing almost every step of every project to be invaluable as it produces a very professional, polished looking end product.

    To make the bottom even, once you’re lined up the seams and ironed the corners, measure up from the point to 1.5 inches (for this tutorial) and draw a line (where you’ll stitch) and use the same measurement on each corner of the outside and the lining.

    I found this tutorial to be so easy and the finished product is excellent! (I’m a novice sewer, btw)

  9. I have been on a bag-making binge lately – bulk food bags, tote bags, bags to hold bulk food bags, etc. The tote I made last week had a different construction for making the bottom dimensional (and probably wouldn’t work as nicely if a lined one), and when I found your tute I thought I’d try it this way too- options are good! Love the cute fabric you used, by the way. Yes, it is certainly an easy bag, but there was one part that was annoyingly fiddly & time-consuming, and that was where you “simply” pinch the corner so you can sew across it to make the box shape at the bottom. Is there some magic way to do this simply & accurately? I’m pretty good with fiddly little things, but this just seemed to be harder that I thought it should be, to get it nice & flat AND symmetrical, before stitching across. Any tips? Or is it simple practice? In the end I was quite pleased with my bag, but I would love if that step had some tricks to make it easier. Thanks!

  10. I LOVE this project! I agree with everyone else that the instructions were very easy to follow, and the completed project is terrific! Very easy and quick, and so customizable.

    For one bag, I added a strip of fabric to one side and sewed up 2 parts to make a 3 piece pocket. This works as an outside pocket on one side, and if reversed it becomes an inside pocket. I’m giving this as a gardening bag, and wanted a pocket to help hold some tools. Here’s a link to a picture of this bag: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yuPcqLoFuKY/Ty65mxlnqHI/AAAAAAAAA3o/5CU02fnI9i0/s640/gardenbag.JPG

    Another bag I did was for my daughter, who loves pink. Thought she could use this for books, or toting small amounts of groceries, etc. I added a couple of pieces of ribbon and a pretty buckle clasp – as decoration, as well as a way to sort of close the top of the bag. This works on both sides of the bag – just flip it to the opposite side and run one side of the ribbon over the center of the clasp to secure. Here’s a link to a pic of that bag: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Wr62F1-d8vA/Ty65nWS2YII/AAAAAAAAA3s/gJebNvCM7-U/s640/jensbag.JPG

    I know I will be using this pattern more. Thanks so much creating and posting this :^)

Leave a Reply

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