Follow This DIY Bag Sewing Pattern Tutorial For a Seriously Cute Tote

Hey guys! I’m so excited to share this tote bag sewing pattern with you. As far as bag design ideas go, this one is one of my favorites.

Tools and materials: 

• Fabric
• Lining
• Fusible interfacing
• Straps
• Snaps or button
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Sewing machine
• Pins or clips
• Marker 

1. Measure, cut and prepare

Cut 1 piece of the fabric you want to use for the bag at 25 and 1/8 inches by 17 and ¼ inches. Cut a piece of lining and fusible interfacing at the same measurements.

For the straps cut 2 pieces of 1-inch wide strap at 12 ½ inches long.

Cut 2 pieces of lining at 4 and 3/8 inches by 3 and ½ inches and a piece of interfacing at the same measurements.

Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the bag fabric.

2. Front flap

Iron the small piece of interfacing to the wrong side of one of the 4 and 3/8 by 3 and ½ inch squares. Fold the square in half and cut to round off one side of the corners.

Then place it on the 2nd square with the interface facing up and the rounded edges at the bottom of the square. Stitch the pieces together around the sides and bottom. 

Round and cut the excess corners off the 2nd square.

Cut out 4-5 tiny triangles around the bottom rounded corners. Then turn it right-side out. Topstitch around the sides and bottom.

Take the bag fabric and fold it in half lengthwise to find the center. Do the same with the square patch. Pin or clip the patch to the top of the bag with the centers aligned.

3. Straps

Take 1 of the straps and clip the ends facing down on either side of the square patch. Then clip the other strap to the same spot on the opposite end of the bag. 

Stitch the straps in place.

4. Sew it all together

Place the lining on the front of the bag with the wrong side facing down. Stitch the lining on at the ends of each side, over the straps.

Turn the bag right-side out and topstitch around all 4 edges.

5. Shape and finish

Measure and mark 4 and ¼ inches in from both sides of the bag.

Fold inwards along the lines and iron. 

Then stitch along both edges.

Measure and mark 1 and ¾ inches inwards from the top edge of 1 side and 5 and 1/8 inch down. Connect those points with a diagonal line.

Cut off that corner. 

Then repeat this on all 4 corners.

Open the folds and then fold the bag so the handles meet at the top. Topstitch around the sides.

Turn the bag inside out and topstitch around the sides again.

Measure and mark a square at the bottom corner at 3 and 1/8 inch wide and 2 and 3/4 inch high. Do the same on the other side and measure and mark both corners on the back and front of the bag.

Open the bag at the bottom so the marked squares open and meet the sides of the bag. 

Clip or pin the folded fabric together. Stitch along the lines at the bottom edges of the bag. 

Then fold those corners in. 

Turn the bag right-side out.

Fasten a snap or button to the square flap and the bag to create a closure.

Cute DIY tote bag

I hope you guys enjoy working with this easy bag sewing pattern. It’s a great tote bag DIY project if you want to make something practical, that looks great, and doesn’t take too much effort or time.

How did your bag come out? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Next, learn How to DIY a Cute and Easy Fabric Phone Case.