How to Sew a Tote Bag from Scratch – Step-by-Step Tutorial

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a simple and practical tote bag from scratch. We’ll go through the pattern, cutting the fabric, making the handles, and sewing the bag together. 1. Pattern Start by drawing a 45 × 45 cm square. From the bottom left and bottom right corners, cut out a 5 × 5 cm square from each corner. This will form the base and sides of the tote bag. Along the top edge, add 6 cm (3 cm + 3 cm) for the top hem, which will be folded twice to make the edge stronger. Measure 15 cm from each side along the top edge and mark these points. These marks show where the handles will be attached. Finally, add a 1 cm seam allowance on all sides, except along the bottom of the bag, where you can either sew a seam or leave it as a fold. Transfer the pattern onto the fabric and cut it out. If you are working with smaller fabric pieces, you can always add a seam at the bottom of the bag. For the handles, cut strips 7–8 cm wide (including seam allowance) and 80 cm long. 2. French Seam Before we start sewing the bag, let’s learn how to make a French seam. This technique creates a clean and strong seam with no raw edges inside the bag. Place the fabric right sides together and sew a narrow seam along the edge. Trim the seam allowance if needed and press the seam with an iron. Then turn the fabric so the wrong sides are together and sew another seam along the edge, enclosing the first seam inside. This creates a neat seam with no visible raw edges inside the bag. 3. Making the Handles Fold the handle strips in half lengthwise and sew 0.5 cm from the edge, closing one end of the strip as you sew. Press the seam open with an iron. Using a knitting needle or a similar tool, turn the strip right side out by pushing the closed end inside the tube. Press the edges with an iron to shape the handle. If you like, topstitch along both sides of the handle to make it stronger and more structured. 4. Sewing the Tote Bag First, pin the left and right side seams and sew them using a French seam. Next, place the sewn side panel in the center of the bottom rectangle. Pin it in place and sew it with a French seam, forming the bottom of the bag. Then fold the top edge twice by 3 cm and press it with an iron to create the hem. Mark the handle placement using the points shown on the pattern, or simply fold the bag into three equal sections to find the correct position. Pin the handles in place, making sure they are not twisted. Pin the folded hem to hold everything in place and topstitch the hem. Then reinforce the handle attachment points by stitching a square over the marked area. Finished! And there you have it — your very own handmade tote bag. Happy sewing! If you enjoyed this tutorial, don’t forget to like the video and subscribe for more sewing projects. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next project! 🧵👜✨