Tote bag sewing pattern
A sturdy tote with boxed corners, long or short handles, an optional lining and an inside pocket. Beginner.
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Style options
- Width: 20 to 60 cm
- Height: 20 to 60 cm
- Depth (gusset): 0 to 20 cm
- Handles: Short (by hand), Long (on the shoulder)
- Lined: yes or no
- Inside pocket: yes or no
Pattern pieces
Fabric and materials
Suggested fabrics: Canvas, denim, cotton drill, upholstery fabric; quilting cotton for the lining.
For the size as it comes:
- Main fabric: 1.3 m of 115 cm wide, 0.9 m of 140 cm wide, 0.9 m of 150 cm wide
- Lining: 1.0 m of 115 cm wide, 1.0 m of 140 cm wide, 1.0 m of 150 cm wide
- Strong thread (polyester)
- A jeans needle for heavy fabric
How to sew it
- Make the handles: press each in half lengthwise, open it, press the long edges to the middle, then fold in half again. Topstitch both long edges.
- Fold the pocket in half, right sides together, and sew round the open edges, leaving a gap to turn it. Turn, press and topstitch it to one lining piece (or the bag) 8 cm below the top, along the sides and bottom.
- Sew the bag pieces together at the sides and bottom, right sides together. Press the seams open.
- Box each corner: pull the cut-out square open so the side seam lies on the bottom seam, and sew straight across.
- Make the lining in the same way, leaving a 12 cm gap in its bottom seam.
- Tack the handles to the right side of the bag at the dots, their ends at the top edge. Put the bag inside the lining, right sides together, and sew round the top.
- Turn the bag right side out through the gap, sew the gap closed, push the lining inside and topstitch round the top.
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