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Some images on this page and throughout this website are from my favorite archival and historical sewing books, and they are also in the public domain for viewing anytime and looking into the past via a needle and thread. They also show that the basics still apply in modern sewing.

• Embroidery and Tapestry Weaving by Grace Christie, 1912.
• Handbook of Embroidery by L. Higgin, 1880.
• Jacobean Embroidery by Ada Wentworth Fitzwilliam and A. F. Morris Hands, 1912.
• The Ladies' Work-Table Book by Anonymous, 1844.

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How to Make a Basic Tote Bag
By Renee Shelton
© 2011

Questions and answers to common sewing projects.

Tote bags for shopping or travel are easy enough to create in an afternoon. Cotton fabrics, including calico and denim, are good materials for tote bags, and you can use scrap fabrics for both the lining and the outside of the tote. Pick complementary or contrasting fabric for the handles. With simple adjustments, you can make your tote bag any size.

Materials Needed

For an average sized tote bag you'll need the following materials. Remember that the bag can be any size. These instructions will make a tote bag about 14 inches by 16 inches in size.

• 1/2 yard of fabric for the outside, plus extra to match up any stripes or nap if necessary
• 1/2 yard of fabric for the lining
• Scrap fabric for the handle, about 20 inches long and 6 inches wide
• Thread
• Sewing pins and needles
• Sewing machine
• Iron

Make the handles first. Lay out the fabric, then measure and cut two rectangles, each 20 inches long and 3 inches wide. Fold each piece of fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and pin closed. Sew a 1/4-inch seam allowance along three sides, leaving one narrow end open. Turn the handle right side out by pushing the folded end through to the open end. Press with an iron to make the handles flat. Reserve for sewing handles later on the bag.

Measure two 15 by 17 squares of the outside fabric. Cut the fabric, lining up any plaid or stripe designs or making allowances for nap, if necessary. Repeat with the lining fabric.

Lay the two pieces of outside fabric with the right sides together. Pin three sides, leaving one part open for the opening of the bag. Sew the bag on the sewing machine using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn the bag right side out. Fold down about 1/2 inch on the top to the inside, wrong sides together. Press the bag with the iron.

Pin the wrong sides together of the lining, leaving the top open, and sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance around the three sides. Press bag, folding the top about a half inch pointing toward the outside of the bag, just the opposite of the outside fabric.

Place the lining of the tote bag inside the outside part of the tote bag. Line up the folded edges together at the top. Fit the ends of each handle about 2-1/2 inches from each seam. Pin the ends shut. Sew around the edge of the bag using a 1/8-inch allowance for the top and sew the ends of the handles in place. This will create a decorative topstitch and hold the bag ends and handles in place.

Remove any loose threads, and press the bag again. Use the bag for groceries, as a purse or for running errands. Make smaller bags for kids parties for a quick and easy hand made party favors.