Made-to-measure sewing pattern
Tote bag sewing pattern in any size
Set the width, height and depth of the bag, the strap length and width, and whether it has a lining, an inside pocket and a magnetic snap. Boxed corners give it a flat base, and the outer panels are interfaced so the bag keeps its shape.
- Level
- Beginner
- Sewing time
- 2–3 hours
- Pieces
- 3
- Fabric
- 0.80 m × 150 cm
Styles and options
Make the tote bag your way
Each style changes how the pieces are drafted. Pick one to open it in the studio.
Every size is set in centimetres or inches in the studio. The pattern is redrafted as you type, and the fabric amount updates with it.
- Width
- 15–70 cm (default 38)
- Height
- 15–70 cm (default 40)
- Depth / gusset
- 0–25 cm (default 10)
- Strap length
- 20–140 cm (default 60)
- Strap width
- 2–6 cm (default 3.5)
- Lining
- Yes, or leave it off
- Inside pocket
- Yes, or leave it off
- Closure
- None, Magnetic snap
Fabric requirements
How much fabric do I need for a tote bag?
Main fabric to buy for the everyday tote bag, worked out from the actual cutting layout. Amounts are rounded up; the studio recalculates them for your measurements and design.
| Size | Finished size | 150 cm wide fabric | 110 cm wide fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 30 × 32 cm, 8 cm deep | 0.80 m · 7/8 yd | 1.20 m · 1 3/8 yd |
| Medium | 38 × 40 cm, 10 cm deep | 0.80 m · 7/8 yd | 1.30 m · 1 1/2 yd |
| Large | 45 × 45 cm, 14 cm deep | 1.30 m · 1 1/2 yd | 2.00 m · 2 1/4 yd |
Suggested fabrics
- Canvas (8–12 oz)
- Denim
- Home-dec cotton
- Waxed cotton
Also needed (size M)
- Lining1.00 m (1 1/8 yd) of 140 cm wide
- Fusible interfacing1.10 m (1 1/4 yd) of 90 cm wide
- All-purpose polyester thread1 spool, matching colour
- Denim / jeans machine needle (for canvas)1
What's in the pattern
Pieces, measurements and step-by-step instructions
Everything that comes with the everyday tote bag: 3 pattern pieces, the finished measurements and the full sewing order.
Pattern pieces
- ABag panelCut 2 (1 mirrored pair)
- BStrapCut 2 (1 mirrored pair)
- CInside pocketCut 1 in lining
Finished measurements (size M)
- Finished bag38 cm × 40 cm × 10 cm
Sewing instructions
Prepare5 steps
- 01
Pre-wash your fabric
Wash and dry the fabric the way you will launder the finished project, then press it flat. This removes shrinkage before you cut.
- 02
Print and check scale
Print the pattern at 100% ("actual size", no scaling). Measure the test square: it must be exactly 10 cm (the small square is 1 inch). Trim and tape the pages following the page grid.
- 03
Lay out and cut
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, selvage to selvage, right sides together. Follow the cutting layout: keep every grainline parallel to the selvage, and put pieces marked "place on fold" right against a fold. Cut lining and interfacing pieces as shown in their own layouts.
- 04
Transfer the markings
Snip 3 mm into the seam allowance at each notch. Mark dart legs, dart points and other placement marks with chalk or a washable marker on the wrong side.
- 05
Seam allowances
Seam allowance is 1.5 cm unless the piece says otherwise. Hem allowances are already included on hem edges. Sew with right sides together (RST).
Sew8 steps
- 01
Interface the panels
Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of both outer A (Bag panel) pieces for structure.
- 02
Make the straps
Press each B (Strap) in half lengthwise, open it, press both long edges to the centre crease, then fold in half again. Edgestitch both long sides.
- 03
Make the inside pocket
Fold C (Inside pocket) right sides together along the fold line and stitch around the open sides, leaving a 6 cm gap. Clip corners, turn, press, and topstitch it to one lining panel 8 cm below the top edge, sewing a vertical divider line if you like.
- 04
Sew the outer bag
Place the two outer A (Bag panel) pieces right sides together and sew the sides and bottom, leaving the corner cut-outs open. Box each corner: pull the cut-out open so the side seam sits on the bottom seam, and stitch straight across.
- 05
Sew the lining
Sew the lining panels the same way, leaving a 12 cm turning gap in the bottom seam.
- 06
Attach the straps
Baste the strap ends to the right side of the outer bag at the strap marks, raw edges matching the top edge and the straps hanging down inside the bag. Make sure they are not twisted.
- 07
Join bag and lining
Slip the outer bag (right side out) inside the lining (wrong side out). Match the side seams and sew all around the top edge.
- 08
Turn and topstitch
Pull the bag through the gap in the lining, stitch the gap closed, push the lining inside and press. Topstitch 6 mm from the top edge.
Finish2 steps
- 01
Final press
Press every seam from the inside with steam, then give the outside a light press using a pressing cloth.
- 02
Check the fit
Try it on (or test it) and make small adjustments now. Note any changes on your pattern for next time.
These are the instructions for the design shown. The studio rewrites them for the options you choose.
Questions
About the tote bag pattern
How long should tote bag straps be?
The default 60 cm strap is long enough to wear over the shoulder. Shorten it for a bag you carry by hand, or lengthen it to wear across the body.
Do I have to line the tote bag?
No. Lining is on by default because it hides the seams and gives the bag body, but you can turn it off for a quick unlined bag in a sturdy fabric.
How much fabric do I need for a tote bag?
For the everyday tote bag, buy 0.80 m (7/8 yd) of 150 cm wide fabric, or 1.30 m (1 1/2 yd) of 110 cm wide fabric. The chart on this page lists common sizes, and the studio recalculates it for your own measurements, design and fabric width.
What fabric is best for a tote bag?
Good choices for the everyday tote bag are canvas (8–12 oz), denim, home-dec cotton and waxed cotton. The studio updates the suggestions when you change the design, for example between knit and woven.
How long does it take to sew a tote bag?
The everyday tote bag is rated Beginner and takes about 2–3 hours, not counting printing and cutting. The pattern comes with step-by-step instructions written for its pieces.
Describe the tote bag you have in mind
Write it the way you would say it. The studio drafts it in your size.