Tutorial: Insanely Easy Tote Bag

Today I'm going to show you  how to make this here tote. Free Sewing Tutorial.

Because I make so many bags I often feel that even when I make something simple, like a tote, that I need to interface the wazoo out of it and add all kinds of details. But simple can be good, too. Really really good. And oddly satisfying. That's how this project was. 

Now, mind you, if this was a large tote intended to carry heavy loads I would have triple-stitched and interfaced and blah blah blah, but with this one it's the lining and the exterior and that's it. A simple bag in a simple print--perfect together.

See? It just works. It doesn't get any simpler--the lining is plain old unbleached muslin, for mergatroid's sake!

Lest you think I sewed 2 rectangles together and did a little dance over this accomplishment, I must direct your attention to the bottom corners--

I boxed them a little differently than I normally would. Usually I flatten the corners into a triangle and stitch across, but not with this one. When you load it up the bottom flattens out, but when it's empty it goes flat so you can fold it up and tuck it away nice and easy--

I realize now this would be a more helpful photo if I had put something near it for scale, but it's a good size to slip into your handbag and keep there for any unforeseen toting. 

I was trying to create a tote that would work for something like a few magazines, a book, a bottle of water--the kind of tote you'd take to sit on a park bench and read or people watch for a few hours, if people even do that sort of thing anymore. It fits a sewing book and a drawing pad perfectly too :)

Today I'm going to show you (as requested) how to make this here tote. I know that many of you may know how to make a basic tote already, in which case you can skip my blather and hop on down to how to box the corners. However, some of you may have sewn very few stitches, in which case you can whip this up pretty quickly and feel pretty satisfied with yourself. 

You don't need much to make this tote. I used less than a half yard for the exterior, and the same for the lining. I used pre-made handles to make it even easier. 

For this version-- 

I used a home dec remnant and a muslin lining, with an odd bit of cotton belting centered on the side seams for the handle ('centered' being a relative term as you can see in the photo :) 

Then I got excited and made a few more out of some stash fabrics and a length of webbing/strapping/whatever it's called I had on hand. The strap is nylon, and the fabrics plain cotton. 

Because I had more for the handles, I decided to do a double-handled bag, which is what I'll be showing you how to do.

You may have noticed the one on the left is a little smaller than the one on the right--I was playing around with sizing, just to see. We're going to make the bag on the left, but I'll give measurements for the other too, in case you want it a little bit wider.

One note: I used a braided pre-made handle for this. I wouldn't recommend using that if you're a newbie, as the ends unravel and it can get quite fiddly. If you DO use it, wrap the ends in scotch tape and keep them that way until the last possible moment. OK, now on to the fun.

* * * * * TUTORIAL * * * * *

Gather your supplies. As stated above you'll need a half yard each of an outer fabric and a lining, and webbing/belting/strapping for your handles. If you're making a single-handle version you'll need a piece about 27ish inches long (less if you like a shorter handle, more if you like longer). For the double-handled version, you'll need two pieces, each about 25 inches long. You'll need a ruler, and basic sewing supplies.

From both the outer fabric and the lining, cut 2 pieces 16 inches by 16 inches (if you'd like the slightly wider version cut it 16 by 18 inches). 

Take the outer fabrics, right sides together, and sew each side with a 3/8" seam allowance, making sure to backstitch at each end. The top and bottom should still be unstitched.

 Press the seams flat (we'll press them open later). Grab a ruler and your pins. NOTE: I'm showing the lining in the photos below as it will be easier to see what I'm doing.

Fold over each side as shown below--

Measure 2 inches from the seam (NOT the raw edge), and put in a pin or two to hold in place.

It should look like this:

Sew across the bottom, 3/8" seam allowance, backstitching and all that jazz. Now you'll want to iron the seams open as best you can on all three sides. For the sides I used a small ironing board. For the bottom I stuffed a towel in to give me a surface to iron on. We're only going for a neat appearance, not perfection.

Now follow the same steps for the lining, but you must remember to leave about a 4 inch gap in the bottom for turning the bag later on.

Take your strap material and your outer shell. Turn it right side out. Measuring 3 1/2 inches in from each side seam, clip or pin your strap in place.

Stitch down your straps about 1/4 inch from the top edge. I go over mine several times, just to make them more secure. Make sure your handle isn't twisted when you tack it in place.

If you're only using one handle, do the same as above but you don't have to measure. You just center your handle over each of the side seams, making sure it's not twisted. You should now have the outer shell with the handle(s) attached, and the lining with a gap in the bottom.

Place the outer shell inside the lining, right sides together. Match up the seams, and pin around the top. Stitch around the top with a 3/8" seam allowance, making sure to backstitch.

Reach inside the gap left in the lining, and coax the rest of the bag out through it. Be gentle with it as you don't want to split your seams.

Pin the gap in the lining (with the raw edges tucked inside) and stitch shut, getting as close to the edge as you feel comfortable stitching (and don't forget to backstitch :)  Shove the lining down inside the bag.

This final part is optional, but I always do it. I like the look it gives, and it gives a little extra bit of stability too. Topstitch around the top edge of the bag, about 1/4 inch from the edge.

Your bag is done, but you may be thinking "Why does this look slightly odd in the corners?" You'll need to coax the corners into shape with your fingers. Poke in the center, and then give a tug on the edges. It should look like this:

You can give that section a press if you feel like it. Now you'll need to convince the lining to get in place too. Do pretty much the same thing until it's lying nice and flat--see the awful picture below :)

I stick my iron down in the bag to convince those corners to stay put. Now take that bag with both hands and give it a sharp whip (like when you're trying to get a trash bag to open fully). 

Everything should be settled in place. It lays flat to fold up, but when you put things into it--bam! Flat bottom.

I know, very wordy for something I'm calling "insanely easy" but I'd rather err on the side of thoroughness for newbies or for those who may not be fluent in English (I've hopped to many an international blog and only been able to figure things out by their pictures--something I never gave much thought to before).