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!
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.
Now let’s make the tote bag.
1. Cut four pieces of fabric 13 1/2 inches X 14 inches.
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.
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.
4. Repeat until all four corners have been sewn.
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.
6. Place straps in between right sides of the fabric on each side about two to three inches from the side edge.
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).
8. Turn bag inside 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.
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!
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.
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.
Thank you for this amazing tutorial! I’ve made tote bags about a million ways and this is the best by far.
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I will try it later.
Hello,
I liked your tutorial. It was insightful. I have been away from sewing & quilting for about 30 years, except for the odd costume when my daughter was in primary school. I have helped making her a couple of costumes in her adulthood for Halloween.
However, I usually I only did the cutting out. My mom did the sewing.
I have invested in a new sewing machine since I have retired & want to quilt & paint for the rest of my days that God blesses me with.
My first project is going to be a purse, simple (I hope) & easy till I can get back in the swing of things. I’m having difficulty using invisible thread. Man, what a problem. I can’t keep my machine needle threaded. Plus, I haven’t even tried to wind a bob in with the stuff!
Also, I would like to put in the usual zippered inside pocket, as well as a cell phone pocket & key keeper.
I am looking for a tutorial on how to cut out & put the pockets inside the purse & I would like to put a decorative & fold-over pocket outside.
Any hints or tutorials you can help me with will be immensely appreciated!
I must admit the invisible thread has “whopped my b-t” & shattered my confidence in my ability. I don’t usually have this much trouble with machines.
I have ordered some very expensive fabric & ribbons/borders from the studio of French designer Odile Bailloeul. So, I don’t want to make a mess of it.
Thnx from my heart for your tutorial.
adorei o modelo da ecobeg !!!!
So great to hear Linny!
Thank you for the tutorial. My granddaughter’s Birthday is next week and being it is so close to Christmas I wanted to make her a little something special. The tutorial was easy to follow. I put her name on the front. Plan on making this tote again!
Thank you so much for posting this tutorial ♡ just made a last minute christmas gift for my husbands grandmother, it turned out great. Whishing you a merry christmas ☆
With love from umeå, Sweden.
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I’ve made quite a few already. They make great gifts for my daughters teachers at the end of the schoolyear.
so i was looking for a patteren to make headbands for a couple friends inculding my sisters and also selling some to but when i looked it up or went to joans frabic store i couldnt find it anywhere so i tried looking again online and i found this website on how to make tote bags so i clicked on it and i liked it so very much but what i think was a little hard for me was trying to see what size and mearsurements were
Finally I have found an easy way to make a tote bag. I want to make them for my family to put their Christmas presents in, and as we are about to abolish plastic shopping bags they have one ready. Thank you.
Loved making the bag. The instructions are really easy to follow and the photos help in the tricky bits like the corners. I’m going try the little matching accessories.
This is adorable. Has to be the easiest directions to follow and understand.
I just made 2 for my daughter and her Big. It’s for the Big/Little gifts for her and her sorority sister. I can’t wait to fill them with “rescue treats” during those long study nights. Thank you so much. I wish I could post a picture for you. I made 2 in under a hour and a half from start to finish and they are my first tote bags ever made. Love Love Love it.
I am SO glad I found this. Your directions and photos helped me immensely. My family will be getting their Christmas presents this year in new, fantastic ‘gift bags’. Once I took my time and followed step-by-step…this pattern is a breeze. Gotta go, there are more bags to make! Thank you.
Thanks so much Joan!
This bag is great, your tutorial is easy to follow. I made one for my Granddaughter with her initial appliqued on it and now my daughter has asked me to make one for my Grandson, she said it would be perfect for his library bag at school. I am letting him pick out the material and his will be appliqued with his initial on it as well!
Wonderful, easy to follow tutorial!