Easy Canvas Tote Bag Sewing Tutorial

Tote Bag Sewing Pattern |  Project Bag | PDF Sewing Pattern | Canvas Tote Free Sewing Pattern and Tutorial.

 

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

    Heavyweight Canvas
    Cotton
    Pins
    Safety pin or tube turner
    Iron
    Coordinating thread

DOWNLOAD BAG PATTERN

DIRECTIONS:

    Select the size of your tote. The patterns here are labeled with the finished size of the tote minus the gusseting.
    
Cut your pattern from your fabric. You'll need two pattern pieces of the canvas and two of your printed cotton. Take care when cutting your cotton to ensure that the direction of the pattern is going the right way.
    
Cut the pieces for your straps also, you'll need two 2 1/2" by 24" pieces of both the canvas and the cotton.
    
Begin with your pieces of canvas. Pin along the sides of the pieces and the bottom flap, leaving the longest side open. Leave the squared in corners open as well. Sew along the sides and bottom using a 1/2" seam allowance.
    
To create the corners, pinch together the open squares so that they line up. The seams you just created for the side and bottom should line up. Pin in place and stitch together using a 1/2" seam allowance.
    
Repeat this same process using the patterned cotton. You'll want to pin the pieces right sides together. This time when you're sewing the bottom of the tote leave a 3-5" opening in the seam so you can turn the bag through it later.
    
Now you'll sew the straps of your tote. With right sides together using a 1/2" seam allowance stitch together the straps along the long sides. Leave the short ends open.
    
Trim your seam allowance and then use a safety pin to turn your straps right side out. If you have a tube turner you can use that here as well.
    
Press your strap flat and then top stitch 1/4" away from the edge of the strap.
    
Now you'll need to pin together your tote. With the right sides together situate the cotton tote into the canvas tote. Pin along the top edge.
    
Now we need to pin in the straps. Arrange the straps so that they're in between the two layers of the tote. Measure 3" in from the side seam and place your strap. Do the same on the other side of the tote with the other strap. Make sure that your strap isn't twisted in the process.
    
Once you have everything in place you'll need to sew along the top edge of the bag using a 1/2" seam allowance. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and the end.
    
Turn your tote right side out through the hole you left in the patterned cotton.
    
Now that your tote is right side out give it a good press to make the top hem even.
    
Once you have it pressed top stitch along the top hem using a 1/2" seam allowance.
    
Line up the opening of the cotton and stitch close. You can use your machine to do this or you can do it by hand with a ladder stitch as well.
    
Press your tote.


Craft Hack Tips and Tricks:

    When cutting your straps, align the pattern so it will follow the direction of the body of the tote.