How to Make a Tote Bag

Tote bags sure come in handy for all kinds of things. You see little kids heading off to the library, carrying a tote bag full of books. You see teenage girls toting bags full of *stuff*, and you see older ladies carting groceries home from the store. This is a "one size fits all" project.

Today's lesson focuses on a lined patchwork tote bag. You can buy fabric at the store, or you can reclaim fabric you already own. Go through the box of clothes you have ear-marked for the thrift store. I actually like to go to the thrift store and root around looking for interesting fabric. My absolute favorite is corduroy. I buy a few pair of cords and head home. My first stop is the laundry room, where I make sure the fabric is clean and dry. The best part about using old pants is that you have free pockets for your tote bag. Cut the pockets out, being sure to cut way around them, leaving room for seams. Then, cut the hems off and make little clips with your scissors close to each seam, front and back. The cool thing here is that you take that little tear, and rip the pants right up the side. When you rip fabric, it tears perfectly straight.

Making the Patchwork, and the outside of the bag
Sew four or five strips together, and iron from the back. Using a straight edge, cut across the top of the strips. Measure down about 7 inches, and use the straight edge to cut across the strips again. Do this one more time. Flip one of these around and sew them together for a patchwork effect. Don't worry about matching up the seams. Fold with the right sides together, and sew down the side and across the bottom.

Lining
Place the patchwork on top of the fabric you are using for lining. Cut the lining exactly the same width, and two inches longer than the corduroy. Pick out two nice pockets and sew them onto the lining fabric, using a zig-zag stitch. I mark the placement of the pockets by folding the fabric in half, then in half again, and pressing it. The pockets should be centered on each half. When the pockets are sewn on, fold the lining right sides together. Sew down the open side and across the bottom. Turn the top of the lining down (wrong sides together) about 3/4 inch and press. Turn it down again, another 3/4 inch and press.

Straps
Choose two strips of the corduroy that are the same length. Fold them wrong sides together in half and press. Open it up, and press the edges in to meet the crease in the middle. Fold closed again, so you have four layers of corduroy, with no raw edges showing. Sew a straight line down the open edge, staying close to the edge. Trim the ends evenly and apply a couple drops of fray check. Be absolutely sure the straps are exactly the same length.

Sewing it all together
The corduroy bag should be right side out, and the lining should be turned inside out. Slide the lining into the bag, and fold the top edge of the lining over the corduroy. Pin all the way around. Mark the placement of the straps and pin them to the bag. The straps should overlap the bag about an inch. The part of the lining that shows on the outside of the bag needs to be stitched down in two rows. First stitch the lower edge, removing the pins as you sew. Then, sew along the top the whole way around. It's a good idea to reinforce the stitching where the straps are attached.

You're tote bag is now complete and ready to be loaded up.

This is a creative project and can be altered in many ways. I usually incorporate a pants pocket on the outside, and I miter the bottom of the bag and lining for a flat bottomed tote bag. Like snowflakes, no two are alike.