The ‘Anywhere Tote’ – Tote Bag Tutorial

This bag is great for toting stuff around during your summer endeavors. This is a quick and easy bag with limited sewing involved. Pick out a cute fabric pattern and make one yourself!

Materials:

• 1 yard of fabric (36X44 inches). I used 100% cotton; you can use heavier fabric for a thicker bag.
• ¼ yard of fabric. This will be the lining of the bag straps.
• Eyelet kit (size 7/16”). You will need 4 eyelets.

For this project, start and end all your stitches with a backstitch.

Step 1 – Fold your yard of fabric in half once, then again
Your yard of fabric should measure approx. 36”x44”. With wrong sides facing together, fold the yard of fabric in half width-wise so that it measures 36”x22”, press flat with an iron. Then, fold it in half width-wise again so that it measures 18”x22”, press flat with an iron.

Step 2 – Cut fabric for the straps
Along the 18” non-folded side, cut a 3 inch strip as shown below. After unfolding the strip, it will give you 2 36” long strips. Set these aside to be used later for your bag straps.

Step 3 – Pin and sew the raw, non-folded edges
After cutting the 3” strip, the main folded piece should measure approx. 18”x19”. There should be two sides that have raw, non-folded edges. As shown below, pin these sides down to keep in place and then sew a ¼” seam along both sides.

Step 4 – Create the ‘base’ of your bag
At this point your folded piece of fabric should look more bag-like: 3 closed sides (1 side is the main fold, and the other 2 sides you stitched closed in step 3), and an open side with folded edges. Follow the 4 steps below to form the base of the bag:

1. Position the bag so the opening is at the top. On the bottom LEFT corner of the bag, mark a line 3” over and 3” high, as shown below. This marked line should be parallel with the sides of your bag. Flip the bag over and mark the same line (3” over and 3” high) in the same corner.
   

2. As shown in the 1st picture below, puff the corner of the bag out so you can see both lines previously marked. Align the marks so that they connect to form a straight line. Press the corner puff flat with an iron. As shown in the 2nd picture below, sew along the line.
   

3. Repeat step 1 and 2 above, but on the bottom RIGHT corner of the bag.
   
4. As shown below, trim the left and right corners off. Don’t trim too close to the stitch (when you trim, leave at least ¼” of space between the stitch and your cut).
   

Step 5 – Turn the bag inside out, press flat. Install Eyelets
As shown in the first picture below, turn the bag inside out and press flat with an iron. Install the eyelets, 2 on each side of the bag. I placed the eyelets 4” over and 2” down from each side. There should be easy instructions on the back of the eyelet kit on how to install (you will need a hammer, and a sturdy/hard surface to hammer on).

Step 6 – Make the straps, and you’re DONE!
From Step 2, you should have two 3”x36” long strips. From the ¼ yard of fabric, cut 2 more 3”x36” long strips to line the strips cut from step 2. With right sides facing together, pair 2 strips together and pin to keep in place. Sew a ¼” seam along the perimeter, leaving one 3” side open. Turn inside out through the opening (it helps to use a ruler). Press flat with an iron. Close the 3” opening by folding a ¼” seam inward, press flat, and then top stitch with your sewing machine. As shown below, finish the strap by top-stitching a ¼” seam along the perimeter.

Take one strap and put each end through an eyelet on one side of the bag, then tie each end of the strap with a single knot. Do the same with the other strap, but on the other side of the bag.

YAY! You’re done!!