Learn how to make a tote bag with this easy and fun sewing project. A tote bag is a versatile and practical bag that you can use for shopping, traveling, working, or anything else. You can make a tote bag in any size and fabric you want, and customize it with different handles, pockets, and embellishments. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a simple tote bag with a lining and a zipper.

What You Need

To make a tote bag, you will need the following materials and tools:

1. Fabric of your choice. You can use any woven fabric, such as cotton, denim, canvas, etc. Quilting cotton is easy to sew and gives your bag a nice amount of stiffness. You can also use other fabrics for a different look and feel.
2. Lining fabric. You can use any lightweight fabric, such as cotton, polyester, or nylon. Lining fabric adds durability and structure to your bag and prevents the seams from showing.
3. Zipper that is 1 inch shorter than the width of your fabric rectangle. You can use metal or plastic zippers, but plastic ones are easier to sew for beginners. You can also shorten a longer zipper if needed.
4. Matching thread
5. Sewing machine or needle
6. Zipper foot and regular presser foot for your sewing machine
7. Pins or sewing clips
8. Scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat
9. Iron and ironing board
10. Ruler or measuring tape
11. Optional: fusible interfacing to add more structure to your fabric

How to Make a Tote Bag

Follow these steps to make a tote bag:

Cut out the pattern for the bag body.

You will need two pieces – a front and back piece. Decide on the size you want and cut out two fabric pieces accordingly. You can use a simple tote bag pattern or use an existing tote bag as a template. Fold your fabric pieces for the bag- front and back by the middle for marking the pattern.

Cut out the pattern for the lining.

You will need two pieces – a front and back piece. Cut out two lining fabric pieces that are the same size as your outer fabric pieces.

Cut out the pattern for the handles.

You will need two pieces – one for each handle. Decide on the length and width you want and cut out two fabric pieces accordingly. You can use the same fabric as your outer fabric or a different one for contrast.

Join the outer fabric pieces (front and back) together.

Keep the front and back pieces of the outer fabric right sides together and stitch along the sides and bottom edges with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Leave the top edge open for inserting the zipper. Turn it right side out.

Join the lining fabric pieces (front and back) together.

Keep the front and back pieces of the lining fabric right sides together and stitch along the sides and bottom edges with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Leave a 3 inch gap in the bottom edge for turning later. Leave the top edge open for inserting the zipper. Do not turn it right side out.

Attach the zipper to the outer fabric.

Cut the zipper to measure 11 inches long. Make straight stitches across the zipper teeth at the bottom edge to prevent the zipper opening up completely. Keep the zipper open. Align the zipper face down on one open edge of the outer fabric, 1/2 inch up from the top edge. As you keep the zipper remember to fold the short edge to the outside as in the picture .Baste stitch in place. Repeat with the other side of the zipper.

Attach the zipper to the lining fabric.

Align the zipper face up on one open edge of the lining fabric, 1/2 inch up from the top edge. As you keep the zipper remember to fold the short edge to the inside as in the picture. Baste stitch in place. Repeat with the other side of the zipper.

Topstitch along both sides of the zipper close to the teeth using a zipper foot on your sewing machine.

Make the handles.

Fold each handle piece in half lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch along the long edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Turn the handle right side out and press it flat. Topstitch along both long edges, close to the seams.

Attach the handles to the bag.

Turn the bag right side out and mark the place where you want the handles to go. You can use the creases from folding the fabric as a guide. Pin or clip one end of a handle to the front of the bag, aligning the raw edges. Repeat with the other end of the handle and the other handle on the back of the bag. Stitch along the top edge of the bag, securing the handles in place with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Finish up the bag.

Turn the bag inside out and tuck the lining inside the outer fabric. Align the top edges of both fabrics and pin or clip in place. Stitch along the top edge of the bag, close to the zipper, using a regular presser foot on your sewing machine. Turn the bag right side out through the gap in the lining. Push out the corners and press with an iron. Hand sew or machine sew the gap in the lining closed.

Congratulations! You have made a tote bag!

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Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and variations to make your tote bag even more fun and unique:

• Add pockets, buttons, appliques, embroidery, or other details to your tote bag for more style and functionality.
• Use different closures, such as snaps, hooks, or Velcro instead of a zipper.
• Try different types of handles, such as braided, knotted, or looped.
• Make a tote bag in different sizes and shapes, such as square, rectangular, or round.
• Different fabrics, such as leather, canvas, or lace.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to make a tote bag. A tote bag is a versatile and practical bag that you can use for shopping, traveling, working, or anything else. You can make a tote bag in any size and fabric you want, and customize it with different handles, pockets, and embellishments. A tote bag is a great project for beginners who want to learn how to sew bags. Happy sewing!

FAQs

Q: What is a tote bag?

A: A tote bag is a large and sturdy bag with two handles that can be used for carrying various items. Tote bags are usually made of fabric, such as cotton, denim, canvas, or leather.

Q: How much fabric do I need to make a tote bag?

A: The amount of fabric you need depends on the size and shape of your tote bag. You can use a simple tote bag pattern or use an existing tote bag as a template to measure the fabric. In general, you will need about 2 yards of fabric for a standard rectangular tote bag.

Q: How do I sew a lining for a tote bag?

A: To sew a lining for a tote bag, you will need to cut out two pieces of lining fabric that are the same size as your outer fabric pieces.

• Leave a gap in the bottom edge of the lining for turning later.
• Join the lining fabric pieces (front and back) together, right sides together, and stitch along the sides and bottom edges with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
• Attach the zipper to the lining fabric, aligning it with the top edge of the lining.
• Turn the bag inside out and tuck the lining inside the outer fabric. You will need to align the top edges of both fabrics and pin or clip in place.
• Stitch along the top edge of the bag, close to the zipper, using a regular presser foot on your sewing machine.
• Turn the bag right side out through the gap in the lining.
• Hand sew or machine sew the gap in the lining closed.

Q: How do I make different types of handles for a tote bag?

A: To make different types of handles for a tote bag, you will need to cut out two pieces of fabric for each handle, according to the length and width you want. You can use the same fabric as your outer fabric or a different one for contrast. You could instead use other materials, such as webbing, rope, or ribbon. Or you can make braided, knotted, or looped handles by twisting or weaving different strands of fabric or other materials together. You can also add embellishments, such as buttons, beads, or tassels to your handles.

Q: How do I customize my tote bag?

A: You can customize your tote bag by adding pockets, buttons, appliques, embroidery, or other details to your tote bag for more style and functionality. You can also use different fabrics, colors, and patterns for your tote bag to create different looks and feels. You can also add text or logos to your tote bag using stencils, stamps, iron-on transfers, or embroidery.