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a cute carry-all
Hey! So here is my very easy post on how to make a tote bag!
This makes a standard sized tote bag, such as you would take to Walmart or Krogers.

You will need:
a thick outside fabric and
fabric for lining

Posted by moonofsilver from Dillwyn, Virginia, United States • Published See moonofsilver's 23 projects »
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  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 1
    Step 1

    Cut one 36x15 inch piece from both fabrics
    Cut two 5x16 pieces for the sides from both fabrics
    Cut two 25x4.5 pieces from just the lining fabrics
    You should have two body pies and four side pieces and two strap pieces when done.

  • Step 2

    (optional): add some lace or other embellishments to your big front tote fabric piece! I added a bit of brown lace.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 3
    Step 3

    Arrange a fabric side panel and the corresponding fabric bag piece right sides together. The side piece should, of course, be flush to the side of the main piece.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 4
    Step 4

    Pin if you wish, and sew a straight stitch down

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 5
    Step 5

    Now, when you reach the end of the side panel piece you want to stop, of course. It should look like this:

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 6
    Step 6

    Now you want to take the free edge and allign it with the edge of your main body piece, creating a "bottom" for that main piece. Take the blue to the red.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 7
    Step 7

    It should look like this: Now sew.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 8
    Step 8

    When you are done sewing the bottom area, it should look like this:

    This is kind of complicated and I hope I explained it well! I don't know correct names for things...

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 9
    Step 9

    Now, take the last edge and align it to the last edge of the main bag piece. Like this

    Now sew. Congrats! You have attached the first side!

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 10
    Step 10

    Attach the other side, following the directions above from step 3.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 11
    Step 11

    attach both sides to the lining fabric from step 3, and add any pockets if you like to the lining fabric (do this before attaching side pieces to lining)

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 12
    Step 12

    Place your lining in the bag so the wrong sides are together.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 13
    Step 13

    Fold the top of the bag down once, then down again to encase the raw edges. Pin.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 14
    Step 14

    Sew all the way around the top of the bag.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 15
    Step 15

    Now for the straps. Fold in half, wrong sides on the inside, and sew down the free edge. We are creating tubes.

    Turn right side out. (harder then it sounds...this was the longest step for me...)

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 16
    Step 16

    Fold the ends down.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 17
    Step 17

    Pin to bag. one on each side. don't let the strap on the left side go to the right side: you want one strap on the left side and the other on the right.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 18
    Step 18

    Sew on, using an X pattern as well as getting all sides! Remember: these straps will hold everything! Sew a lot!

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 19
    Step 19

    Go around the top of your bag again, and around both edges of the straps.

  • How to make a tote bag. How To Make A Tote Bag! - Step 20
    Step 20

    Go out in style!

    visit my blog at http://ruthography.blogspot.com/ for more tutorials and fun things =)

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