DIY Tote Bag with Flat Bottom

You can't have too many tote bags!  At least I can't!

Tote bags are a handy essential in everyday life.  Tote bags can be used as shopping bags,  book bags, craft travel or storage bags,  laptop carriers, beach bags, pool bags, gym bags, gift bags.  If you're a mom, they can be filled with diapers, wipes, snacks and toys for little ones.

MAKING A TOTE BAG IS FUN AND SIMPLE!

This free simple tote bag pattern is my go-to pattern when I want to sew a quick carry-all bag for myself.  This straightforward home sewing project is perfect for tweens, teens or anyone new to sewing. 

What are the advantages and features of this free tote bag pattern?

• Pattern Simplicity - It is fun, simple and easy to sew.
• Seams won't fray - French seams are used to finish the inside of the bag.  Does that sound complicated?  It's not.  French seams are really, really easy to sew.
• Flat Bottom - The bag has boxed corners.  What is a box bottom?  A box bottom means the bag has a flat bottom so it can easily stand up without tipping over and can hold wider items than a two-dimensional bag.
• Quick Project - It only takes about an hour to make this tote bag.

Be sure to check out our pattern on how to make a matching zipper pouch.

Do you need other sewing ideas for shopping bags and tote bags?  Our totes, bags and purses page has over 60 free projects waiting for you to try. 

Today, I would like to teach you how to make a simple tote bag.  Just watch my video and continue reading this post for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions on sewing a DIY tote bag.

easy tote bag tutorial and pattern

To sew this simple tote bag start by watching the video.  The video provides everything you need to know to sew your own tote bag.  Then if you need more help, there are step-by-step instructions.

WHAT YOU'LL need TO SEW TOTE BAG:

• 2/3 yard of fabric
• Fabric Scissor
• Rotary Cutter & Mat (Optional)
• Clear Ruler
• Sewing Machine
• Matching Thread
• Iron and Ironing Board

INSTRUCTIONS for a simple tote bag

STEP 1: FABRIC CHOICE

What type of fabric can you use?  To make the tote bag, you can use almost any type of fabric - cotton, broadcloth, duck cloth, home decor fabric, almost anything.  However, if you use knit fabric the tote bag will stretch with use.

Before purchasing fabric, look through your fabric stash because this project doesn't need much fabric so it's ideal for using up leftover fabric from other projects.

You can use fun fabric in the colors and patterns you love.  If you are making a tote bag for a child, allow them to choose the fabric.

STEP 2: MEASURE AND CUT FABRIC

Using a rotary cutter, clear ruler and cutting mat, cut a piece of fabric 17 inches wide from salvage to salvage OR cut 2 pieces of fabric 17 inches x 22 inches.

For the tote bag handles, cut two pieces of fabric 4 inches x 24 inches.  The handles can be made with the same fabric or coordinating fabric.

STEP 3: MAKE HANDLES

With one of the 4-inch x 24-inch pieces of fabric, fold the fabric lengthwise in half and press with iron along the fold. 

Open the fabric and fold each raw edge of the fabric to the center crease and press with an iron.  Then, fold the handle fabric in half again lengthwise so the folded edges align and press with an iron. The handle should be 1 inch wide with four layers of fabric.

Pin in place.

At the sewing machine using a straight stitch,  sew a row of stitches along both sides of the handle close to the fold.  This is edge stitching.  If you are not sure how to edgestitch, watch our Edgestitch Tutorial.

Repeat with the other handle.

STEP 4: ATTACHING HANDLES

On the fabric 17" side, turn the fabric under 1 inch and press flat.  Turn it under again 1 inch and press.

Take one of the handles and insert the handle under the folded fabric 4 inches from the side and pin it in place. Without twisting the handle, insert the other end of the handle under the folded fabric 4 inches from the other side of the fabric and pin.

Edgestitch along the inside fold.  

Fold the handle upward over the folded fabric. Pin.

Secure the handles in place by stitching around the handles with an X in the middle.

Attach the second handle to the other 17" end of the bag fabric or other piece of bag fabric by repeating the above process.

The handles are now attached to the bag and the top of the bag is finished.

STEP 5: SEW BAG TOGETHER WITH FRENCH SEAMS

Sewing the seams with a french seam completely encases the raw edges of the seam allowance giving the tote bag a professional appearance inside.  The tote bag will last longer and look neater because french seams prevent the seams from unraveling and fraying. 

To make the french seam, begin by placing the fabric with the wrong sides together.  Pin the sides.

At the sewing machine with a straight stitch, sew both sides of the tote bag with a 1/4" seam starting at the top, backstitch at the beginning and the end of the seam.

Turn the tote bag inside out, with pretty sides together, and push out the corners.  With an iron, press the seam you previously sewed flat.

Again sew the side seams with a straight stitch but this time use a 3/8" seam.  The side seams raw edges are now completely enclosed.

STEP 6: BOXED corners TECHNIQUE

To box the bottom, fold the bottom corner flat matching up the center bottom crease line (or center bottom seam) with the side seam forming a triangle. Pin in place.

With a ruler measure 2” from the tip of the triangle using a 45-degree angle on your ruler as a guide

and draw a line with a pencil along the ruler's edge.

Sew on that line.  Since we do not want any raw edges in the tote bag, it is not necessary to trim the excess triangular fabric.  It will be inside the bag and add stability to the bottom.

Repeat the process on the other bottom corner of the bag.

STEP 7: FINISHING

All the sewing is complete.  Just turn the tote bag right side out.
Viola! It's finished and ready to use.

Now through some stuff in the bag and off to town, to the grocery store, to the farmer's market, or to the beach!

Give as gifts!  Want a quick and environmentally conscious approach to wrapping a gift?  Skip the gift wrap, make a tote bag for the gift instead. Throw in a little tissue paper and you’re done.

I hope you enjoyed this tote bag tutorial and decide to make some.

here are several of our favorite tote bag and pouch tutorials

DIY Grocery Bag Tutorial - make durable, reusable shopping bags with this free shopping bag pattern.

Snack Wrapper Zipper Bag Pouch - Collect up some cookie, candy, or snack wrappers and make them into a fun zipper bag.  This is a simple beginner sewing project.

Recycled T-Shirt Tote Bag - Convert an old t-shirt into a tote bag with our quick and easy tutorial.  There is only one seam to sew!

Lined Tote Bag - Although this free tote bag pattern was made as a Halloween bag, it can be used as an everyday tote by just changing the fabric.

No-Sew Flower Applique Tote Bag Tutorial

Bandana Drawstring Bag