Tote Bag Sewing Pattern
Tote Bag Sewing Pattern
Materials:
- Fabric for the outside of the bag (1 meter)
- Fabric for the lining (1 meter)
- Matching thread
- Sewing machine
- Scissors or rotary cutter
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Pins
- Iron
Pattern Pieces:
1. Main Bag Pieces:
- Cut 2 rectangles from the outside fabric: 43 cm wide by 38 cm tall.
- Cut 2 rectangles from the lining fabric: 43 cm wide by 38 cm tall.
2. Straps:
- Cut 2 strips from the outside fabric: 10 cm wide by 66 cm long.
3. Pocket (Optional):
- Cut 1 rectangle from the lining fabric: 20 cm wide by 25 cm tall.
Tote Bag Sewing Pattern
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Straps:
- Fold each strap piece in half lengthwise with the right sides facing out.
- Press the fold with an iron.
- Open up the fold, then fold each long edge in towards the center crease and press again.
- Fold in half again so the raw edges are enclosed.
- Sew down both long sides of the straps close to the edge to secure them.
2. Prepare the Pocket (Optional):
- Fold the top edge of the pocket piece down 1 cm, then another 1 cm to enclose the raw edge,
and press.
- Stitch along the folded edge to create a hem.
- Place the pocket piece on one of the lining pieces, centered, and about 10 cm from the top.
- Sew around the sides and bottom of the pocket, securing it to the lining piece.
3. Assemble the Bag:
- Place the two outside fabric pieces right sides together.
- Pin and sew along the sides and bottom, using a 1 cm seam allowance.
- Repeat with the lining pieces, but leave a 10 cm opening at the bottom for turning the bag right
side out later.
4. Create Boxed Corners:
- To give the bag depth, create boxed corners.
- Pull one corner of the bag apart, matching the side seam to the bottom seam, forming a triangle.
Tote Bag Sewing Pattern
- Measure 5 cm from the tip of the triangle and draw a line across.
- Sew along the line and trim the excess fabric.
- Repeat for the other corner and for both lining corners.
5. Attach the Straps:
- Turn the outside of the bag right side out.
- Pin the ends of each strap to the top edge of the outside bag piece, 10 cm in from each side
seam.
- Baste the straps in place.
6. Assemble the Bag and Lining:
- Place the outside bag (right side out) inside the lining (wrong side out), so the right sides are
facing each other.
- Match the side seams and pin around the top edge.
- Sew around the top edge using a 1 cm seam allowance, ensuring the straps are tucked in and
not caught in the seam.
7. Finish the Bag:
- Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining.
- Sew the opening in the lining closed with a small seam.
- Push the lining inside the bag.
- Press the top edge of the bag, then topstitch around the entire top edge to give it a finished look
and secure the straps.
Pattern Pieces Diagram:
Tote Bag Sewing Pattern
