Tips for You to DIY Your Tote Bags

Step 1: Cut fabric.

Print out the Market Tote templates here at 100% or use the tiled version available here. Cut out the templates and then cut out the burlap, outer, and lining fabrics according to the pattern templates. Sew an overcasting or zigzag stitch around the bottom and side edges of the burlap to prevent fraying.

Step 2: Sew outer bag pieces.

Pin and sew one burlap piece to a patterned fabric piece along the top long side, right sides together.Press the seams open. Repeat with the other matching pieces.
Step 3: Sew bag and lining.

Pin the lining pieces right sides together. Sew the top straps together, then sew along the bottom and sides, attaching the lining pieces to one another, stopping 1/2″/12 mm from the curve where the straps will begin.Then repeat with the main bag pieces, being sure to align the seams. Press all seams open.

Step 4: Square bottoms.

Square off the bottom corners of the outer bag and the lining according to the instructions below, measuring 2″/5 cm from the tip of the corner.

Step 5: Press.

With the outer bag, press the outer edge of the straps (as indicated by the gray line in figure C) toward the wrong side of the fabric by 1/2″/12 mm. Repeat with the bag lining. This will prepare you for step 7.


Step 6: Attach outer bag to lining.

Turn the outer bag fabric right sides out, but leave the lining wrong sides out. Insert the outer bag into the lining so that the right sides will be facing one another. Pin together, being sure to match the top seams at the handles. Sew along the inside curve. Notch the corners to ease the curve.

Step 7: Finish.

Turn the bag right sides out through an opening on the side. Push the lining into the outer bag. Press and pin the side strap openings together, adjusting if needed so that the fabric is aligned. Edge stitch along the outer edges of the handles on both sides.

How-to: Square Corners

This technique can be used in tote bags, purses, or other projects where you need extra room. The bottom corners of the bag are flattened and sewn down creating width and turning a plain flat bag into a three-dimensional one.

1. To prepare to square the corners of a bag, your bag should be sewn right sides together and the seams should be pressed open.

2. With the bag wrong sides out, take one corner in your hand and pull the corner open to form a 90-degree angle in the opposite direction. The seams should be aligned one on top of the other. Press flat to form a triangle. You can pin this in place and look on the right sides of the bag to make sure that your seams will be perfectly aligned.

3. With a quilter’s square or ruler, mark 2″/5 cm (or as directed) from the tip of the corner. Make a line straight across at this point, from fold to fold. Sew along this line.

4. Clip the excess triangle of fabric and sew over the raw edges with an overcasting stitch. Repeat with the other corner.

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