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Tote Bag Sewing Pattern - Free Pattern 5 Sizes

Written by Kimberly Coffin · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

713 shares

Make This Tote Bag in 5 Different Sizes. This Free Sewing Pattern Includes an Interior Pocket for Small Items and It’s Fully Lined for a Professional Finish.

A tote bag is one of the most useful items you can have around your home - and it's a fun and easy project to sew!

Tote bags are great as reusable grocery bags, perfect for packing a delicious picnic, are a useful alternative to a typical gift bag, and much more!

Grab my free tote bag sewing pattern and follow the step-by-step tutorial below to make your own beautiful tote (choose from 5 different sizes!).

Table of Contents

  • About the Tote Bag Sewing Pattern
  • What Fabric to Use for Sewing a Tote Bag
  • Supplies for Sewing a Tote Bag
  • Click Here to Download the Free Tote Bag Sewing Pattern
  • Step 1: Print and Assemble the Pattern
  • Step 2: Cut Out Your Fabric & Add Markings
  • Step 3: Sew the Tote Bag Pockets
  • Step 4: Sew the Tote Bag Straps
  • Step 5: Sew the Main Body of the Tote Bag
  • Step 6: Line and Finish the Tote Bag

About the Tote Bag Sewing Pattern

The sewing pattern download includes the tote bag pattern in 5 different sizes, from XS to XL. That way, you can choose the right size for what you'll be packing in your tote bag!

This bag is fully lined and features gorgeous boxed corners, making it easy to fit whatever you need to tote around! Plus, there's a roomy pocket on the inside for those items that you want to keep easily accessible.

The download includes a pattern for fabric straps. This means you can make the straps to match the body or lining of the bag - or choose a contrasting fabric! If you'd rather use cotton webbing and skip making the straps, I've included instructions within the tutorial on how to use webbing straps instead.

Finished Measurements for the 5 Tote Bag Sizes

Here are the dimensions of the 5 different tote bag sizes.

  • XS: 7" x 8.5"
  • S: 11" x 14"
  • M: 15" x 15.5"
  • L: 18" x 18"
  • XL: 20" x 20"

What Fabric to Use for Sewing a Tote Bag

You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing fabric for your tote bag. Really, any mid-weight woven fabric will work well.

My favorite choices are quilting cotton and cotton canvas. You can get either of these types of fabric in many different colors and prints, which gives you endless style options for your tote bag!

Cotton canvas tends to be a bit heavier than quilting cotton, so is a better choice for a bag that will get a lot of heavy use. Another great option is to use canvas as the outer fabric and quilting cotton for the lining.

You will also need to use interfacing for your tote bag. Any medium-weight fusible interfacing will work great for this project.

Supplies for Sewing a Tote Bag

Here are the supplies you'll need to sew your own adorable tote bag!

  • .3 Yards - 1.3 Yards Mid-Weight Woven Fabric (Outer)
  • .3 Yards - 1.3 Yards Mid-Weight Woven Fabric (Lining)
  • .3 Yards - 1.3 Yards Medium Weight Interfacing
    • The amount of fabric needed will depend on the size of the tote bag you are making.
  • One Yard of 1" Wide Cotton Webbing for Straps (Optional)
  • Scissors
  • Rotary Cutter 
  • Rotary Cutting Mat
  • Thread
  • Pins or Clips
  • Iron & Ironing Board
  • Fabric Pen or Chalk
  • Printer
  • Printing Paper
  • Tape
  • Sewing Machine
  • Acrylic Ruler
Tote bag sewing pattern supplies

Click Here to Download the Free Tote Bag Sewing Pattern

Step 1: Print and Assemble the Pattern

First, download the PDF pattern to your computer.

Open the pattern in Adobe Acrobat. This is important because if you open and print from the browser, the scaling can often be incorrect and the sizing of your tote will be off!

Tote bag sewing pattern

Next, click on "Print" - a print settings box will then pop up. In the print settings, change the scaling to "Actual Size" or "Custom Scaling: 100%".

Print the first page of the pattern, which includes a 1" x 1" test square. Measure the test square. If it measures 1" x 1", go ahead and print the rest of the pattern. If it does not measure 1" x 1", you will need to check the scaling and reprint.

This tote bag pattern also includes layers for the different sizes to make printing easier. This means that if you only want to use one size - you can print only that size!

To use the layers option, click on the icon that looks like 3 stacked papers on the left-hand side of your screen. Then, deselect the "eye" icon next to the sizes you don't want to print.

Once you've printed the pattern, assemble and tape together the pages by aligning the pink stars and the lines of the pattern. The large, light-colored numbers in the center of each page are there to help you keep the pages in the right order.

You can trim away the excess paper on the edges of the pages before aligning them, or simply overlap them. If you choose to overlap, it may help to hold the pages you are taping up to the light so you can see through the paper and make sure your lines and stars are properly lined up.

With the pattern assembled and taped, cut out the pattern pieces, following the lines corresponding to your preferred tote size.

You should now have 3 pattern pieces: the strap, pocket, and main body of the bag.

If you plan on using cotton webbing, you can skip cutting out the steps. Instead cut the cotton webbing to the length of the strap pattern piece.

Step 2: Cut Out Your Fabric & Add Markings

Once your pattern is prepared, it's time to cut this tote bag out!

Cut the following number of pieces from your fabric, lining, and interfacing:

Fabric (Outer)

  • Main: Cut 2
  • Straps: Cut 2 on Fold
  • Pocket: Cut 1 on Fold

Fabric (Lining)

  • Main: Cut 2
  • Pocket: Cut 1 on Fold

Interfacing

  • Main: Cut 2
  • Straps: Cut 2 on Fold
  • Pocket: Cut 2 on Fold

*Note: You can use a different fabric for the straps and/or pocket if you like. Feel free to mix and match colors and prints to your heart's content!

Sewing tote bag pattern

Once you have your pieces cut out, use a fabric pen to transfer the strap attachment markings from the main body pattern piece to the top edge of both lining pieces.

Sewing tote bag pattern

Next, apply your cut interfacing pieces to the wrong side of the outer main body pieces, both strap pieces, and both pocket pieces.

Sewing tote bag pattern

Step 3: Sew the Tote Bag Pockets

The fabric pieces are prepared, so it's time for the sewing! Let's start with the pockets.

Line up the two pocket pieces with right sides together.

Sewing tote bag pattern

Then, pin the pocket pieces together around all 4 sides.

Tote bag sewing patterns

Stitch the two pocket pieces together with a 3/8 inch seam allowance, leaving a 2-inch opening in the top edge of the pocket. Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end!

Next, trim the seam allowance down by half.

Sewing pattern for tote bag

To help the pocket lay flatter once turned right sides out, clip into the seam allowance around the curved lower corners. Clip close to but not through the stitching.

Sewing pattern for tote bag

Clip across the seam allowance at the sharp upper corners of the pocket in order to reduce bulk.

Sewing pattern for tote bag

Then, turn the pocket right sides out through the opening in the top.

Sewing pattern for tote bag

Push out the corners of the pocket with a pencil or a point turner so you can get nice, crisp corners.

Sewing pattern for tote bag

Press the pocket flat with your iron, making sure to press the edges of the opening to the inside of the pocket.

Tote bags sewing patterns

Pin the opening closed, making sure the top edge is straight and even.

Tote bags sewing patterns

Then, topstitch around all 4 sides of the pocket, stitching 1/8 inch from the finished edge. This stitching will close the opening left in the top of the pocket.

Tote bags sewing patterns

Pick out one of the main body lining pieces - it doesn't matter which one - and place it right sides up on the table. Mark the 4 corners of the pocket placement with a fabric pen, using the main body pattern piece as a guide.

Tote bags sewing patterns
Tote bag sewing pattern free

Place the pocket, wrong side down, onto the right side of the lining piece. Align the corners of the pocket with the 4 pocket placement marks, then pin the pocket in place.

Tote bag sewing pattern free

Topstitch around the sides and bottom of the pocket, stitching 1/8 from the edge within the previous topstitching. Make sure to leave the top of the pocket open!

Tote bag sewing pattern free

Your pocket is now done!

Step 4: Sew the Tote Bag Straps

Let's move on to sewing the tote bag straps. If you are using webbing instead of making fabric straps, simply cut the webbing to the length of the strap pattern piece and move on to Step 5.

To sew your straps, start by folding the straps in half lengthwise with right sides together.

Tote bag sewing pattern free

Then, pin them along the long edge.

Tote bag sewing pattern pdf

Stitch the long pinned edge of both straps with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

Tote bag sewing pattern pdf

Trim the seam allowance down by half to reduce bulk.

Tote bag sewing pattern pdf

Next, turn the straps right sides out. I like to use my loop turner for this - I simply push the loop turner through one end of the strap, hook the other end, then pull it through the strap.

Tote bag sewing pattern pdf

If you don't have a loop turner, you can use a safety pin instead. Hook the safety pin to one end, then push it through the strap to turn it right sides out.

Once your straps are turned, press them flat with your iron. Press the seamed edge to either the top or bottom.

Tote bag sewing pattern pdf

Finally, topstitch along both long sides of the straps, sewing 1/8 inch from the edges.

Tote bag sewing pattern pdf

Set the straps aside for now.

Step 5: Sew the Main Body of the Tote Bag

To sew the main body of the tote bag, align the two outer main pieces with right sides together.

Free tote bag patterns to sew

Pin them along the straight edges at the sides and bottom. Don't worry about the cut-out corners for now.

Free tote bag patterns to sew

Stitch the outer tote bag pieces together along the pinned sides and bottom with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

Free tote bag patterns to sew

Then, press the seam allowances open.

Free tote bag patterns to sew

Next, grab the fabric at one of the open, lower corners of the tote bag. Align the seams at the center of the corner.

Free tote bag patterns to sew

Pin across the raw edges of the corner. Double check that the seams are lined up exactly - this will help you get professional results!

Then repeat this process with the other corner.

Free tote bag patterns to sew

Stitch across each corner with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

Free tote bag patterns to sew

Trim the seam allowance away from either end of each corner in order to reduce bulk. Be especially careful not to accidentally cut into your stitching!

Tote bag sewing pattern

Press the seam allowances open.

Tote bag sewing pattern

Finally, repeat this process to sew the two main lining pieces together.

Tote bag sewing pattern

Step 6: Line and Finish the Tote Bag

You've now got what looks like two strapless bags! It's time to put everything together to finish off the tote!

Pin one strap to each side of the lining bag, aligning the ends of the straps with the markings along the top edge. The raw edge of the strap ends should line up with the raw edge of the top of the bag. Before sewing them on, make sure there are no twists in your straps - you don't want to have to seam rip and redo them!

Tote bag sewing pattern

Once you're happy with the strap placement, use a long basting stitch to secure them to the lining, sewing 1/4 inch down from the edge.

Tote bag sewing pattern

Then, make sure that the outer fabric bag is inside out and the lining bag is right sides out.

Insert the lining bag into the outer fabric bag so that they are right sides together.

Tote bag sewing pattern

Line up and pin the top raw edges, carefully aligning the side seams.

Tote bag sewing pattern

Stitch around the top pinned edge of the bag with a 3/8 inch seam allowance, leaving a 2 to 3 inch opening. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.

Tote bag sewing pattern

Turn the bag right sides out through the opening.

Tote bag sewing pattern
Tote bag sewing pattern

Push the lining down into the outer bag.

Press the entire tote flat, especially focusing on the top edge. Try to press the top so that the lining does not show from the outside of the bag.

Pin the opening in the top edge of the bag closed, making sure the raw edges are folded to the inside.

Finally, topstitch around the entire top edge of the bag, stitching 1/8 inch down from the top edge. This last row of topstitching will close up the opening left in the top seam of the bag.

Then give everything a final pressing with lots of steam and you're done!

Enjoy your beautiful new tote bag!

Looking for more bag sewing patterns and tutorials? Click the links below!

  • Kids Drawstring Bag
  • Triangle Zipper Pouch
  • Foldover Zippered Clutch
  • Curved Zipper Pouch

Did you try this pattern out? Post a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #sweetredpoppy - I would love to see how it turned out!

Don't forget to join my Facebook group where you can show us what you're making, ask questions, and learn from others

Don't want to forget about this project? Click here to pin this project to Pinterest.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kari says

    May 28, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    Lol, I had to look again, but there is a download/link just after [he ad following] the supply list.

    Reply
  2. S says

    June 01, 2022 at 2:48 pm

    Can you make a projector or A0 version of this?

    Reply
    • miss s says

      June 09, 2022 at 6:15 pm

      nice..me already do it..thank you for the free pattern

      Reply
  3. Cathyann says

    September 22, 2022 at 12:51 am

    Kimberly, thank you for the free bag pattern in multiple sizes and excellent directions. I enjoy making bags as gifts. I’m thinking of making sets of several sizes as Christmas gifts this year. Here in NJ we must bring our own bags when shopping. You are so generous with your talent.

    Reply
  4. Annette says

    February 11, 2023 at 8:37 pm

    Thank you. I am going to give it a try. Is there a video for this one?

    Reply
  5. Donna Smith says

    March 06, 2023 at 3:25 pm

    I'm making a tote bag now, and I'm struggling a bit with the ads overlapping the pictures. If/when I sign up for a course, will I still have the ads? Thank you.

    Reply
  6. Sandy says

    May 11, 2023 at 8:09 pm

    I love this pattern! It seems so easy! Is it possible to get a printable version however? I am NOT a computer person and would much rather have paper lol! I was going to print this but it's like 50+ pages. Thanks!

    Reply

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Hello, I’m Kimberly, the creator of Sweet Red Poppy!

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