Sewing · Beginner
Beginner Fall Tote Lesson
Sew a roomy, unlined tote from woven cotton or canvas. Work through each step at your own pace and use the tiled pattern to mark the pieces accurately.
US Letter · print at 100% · 1-inch scale check included
Cut two body panels and two handle strips. Seam and fold marks are printed on the pattern pages.
Before you begin
Materials
- 3/4 yard (about 0.7 m) of 44-inch-wide, medium-weight woven cotton or canvas
- Matching all-purpose sewing thread
- Sewing machine and a suitable universal needle
- Ruler or tape measure and a fabric marking pen or chalk
- Fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat
- Pins or sewing clips
- Iron and ironing board
The fabric estimate assumes 44 inches of usable width and a nondirectional print; allow extra for nap or a one-way design.
Cut list
- Body panels
- 2 · 16 × 18 in
- Handle strips
- 2 · 4 × 22 in
- Seam allowance
- 1/2 in
- Boxed base
- 3 in deep
One step at a time
Sewing instructions
Wash, press, cut, and mark
Prewash the fabric if its care label allows, then press it flat. Cut two tote body rectangles, each 16 × 18 inches (40.6 × 45.7 cm), and two handle strips, each 4 × 22 inches (10.2 × 55.9 cm). On both body pieces, mark 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) side and bottom seam allowances, top-fold lines at 1/2 inch and 1 inch, and 1 1/2-inch (3.8 cm) squares at both lower corners. Cut away those squares now to make the 3-inch boxed base.
Make the handles
On each 4 × 22-inch strip, fold and press both long raw edges to the center. Fold the strip in half lengthwise so the raw edges are enclosed, then press. Stitch close to both long edges to hold each strap flat.
Baste the handles to the body panels
Place each body panel right side up. Mark handle positions 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm) in from each side edge. Center one handle end at each mark, keeping the strip untwisted and its raw end aligned with the top edge. Baste each end within the 1/2-inch seam allowance. Repeat on the second panel.
Join the body panels
Place the panels right sides together and match the side and bottom edges. Stitch both side seams and the bottom seam with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, backstitching at the top of each side seam. Leave the top open.
Finish the lower corners
At each corner, bring the new side and bottom raw edges together with the seams aligned. Stitch across the opening with a 1/2-inch seam allowance to form the boxed base. Finish the raw seam edges with a zigzag stitch or a serger.
Hem and topstitch the opening
Turn the top raw edge to the wrong side by 1/2 inch, then fold it over by another 1/2 inch and press. The handle ends sit inside this double-fold hem. Topstitch around the opening close to the inner folded edge, then stitch a second row near the top fold to secure the handles.
Turn and press the tote
Turn the bag right side out and gently shape the boxed corners. Press the seams and top edge, following the fabric care label. Check the handle attachment and reinforce any skipped stitches before using the tote.
Ready to cut your fabric?
Print the US Letter pages at actual size and tape each pattern section edge to edge.