How to Sew a Tote Bag: class 1 Planning & Preparation of Fabric Notions
This video is sponsored by the Sharon Public Library’s "Sewing Threads of Diversity" grant.
Class 1 - planning and preparation of fabric and notions
Class 2 - Sewing the bag
Class 3 - Making the straps and final steps
You will need:
½ yd exterior (body of the bag) and strap fabric (lightweight woven cotton)
½ yd interior lining fabric
Thread in coordinating colors
Fabric scissors
Straight pins or fabric clips
Clear beveled ruler
Fabric chalk or water erasable fabric marker
Iron and ironing board
Sewing machine
TOTE BAG SEWING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut Your Fabric. Here’s what you need to cut: (You can use a rotary cutter to cut super straight lines or wing it with scissors if you prefer.)
Exterior fabric: cut 2 pieces that are 17” x 12” for the main body of the bag.
Exterior fabric: cut 2 pieces that are 4” x 21” for the bag handles.
(Optional-if you feel like you want the straps sturdy, line them with a fusible interfacing like fusible fleece)
Lining fabric: cut 2 pieces that are 17” x 12” for the bag lining.
Pin or clip your fabric together
2. Take your exterior fabric pieces and lay them down on top of each other so that the right sides are together. The “right sides” are the sides of the fabric that you want visible.
3. Now using sewing pins or clips, pin or clip the pieces of fabric together along the sides and bottom. The opening should be one of the sides that is 14” wide.
See How to Sew a Tote Bag: Class 2 Sewing the Bag for the next steps.