Tote Bag Tutorial

Tote Bag w/ Lining or Reversible

by Sharyn & Trina

*My mom Sharyn came up with the design, pattern, and technique and taught me. I put together this tutorial so we could teach it to others. It makes a very professional looking bag with perfect finishes. No one will guess you made it :-)

Step 1: Cut lining fabric & outside fabric to 2 equal squares (or whatever size bag you want). Cut out additional pockets if desired and sew onto the squares. Large Tote Bag: 19in x 22in (bag) 4 1/2in Handle Strip, Girl's Tote Bag: 13in x 13in, Small Hand Bag (pictured): 9in x 6in, 2 1/2 in. Handle Strip

Step 2: Cut Strap Fabric
Cut it double the width you want, ex. 2 inch strap, you would cut 4 inches plus 1/2 inch for seam allowance

Step 3: Strap/Handles: Place right sides together and sew down the open seam. Flip it inside out. Iron so it lays flat. Insert cording/boning/padding, if desired and sew across end to enclose it.

Step 4: Place the bag pieces right sides together. Sew around the sides of the bag (leave 1 side open as your bag opening).

Step 5: Corners of bag- Fold the fabric so center of bottom and side seams line up and make a triangle. Measure (3 1/2 inches for big tote bags, 1 inch for small bag) same distance down each side of triangle and draw straight line across w/ disappearing fabric marker). Sew across the line. Cut off the triangle. Do for all 4 corners (2 for inside and 2 for outside bag).

Step 6: Iron the bag and all seams flat down.

Step 7: Put bags right sides together (it looks like one is going inside the other one face down).

Step 8: Insert handles (and any ruffle or rickrack that will poke out the top once flipped)- fold the bag in half on each side to find center and mark w/ pin. Then measure 3 inches on each side of fabric from the center. Mark w/ pins. Put handles in between the bags with the end of the handles poking out at each place you have marked w/ pins. If you are only having 1 handle (as shown), then place them centered with the side seams on either side. Leave about 1/2 an inch of handles poking out so it's more secure. Make sure they are not twisted.

Step 9: Sew all the way around (1/2 inch to 1 inch seam allowance). Leave a hold about 4 inches that you don't sew up.

Step 10: Flip the bag inside out (through the hole you left) so it now shows right sides out. Pull out handles.

Step 11: Iron the top, and fold the fabric where the hole is so that it looks like the rest of the top and it's ready for a seam.

Step 12: Top stitch all the way around the bag (about 1/2 in seam allowance)

Step 13: Reinforce the handles with extra stitches