DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial

This is my DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial.  I call it this because of the sewing theme and because I made it a little shorter than longer.  There are two zippered pockets and a triple divided slip pocket for all the little things.  I am currently using mine for all of my crocheting items since I am learning to crochet through a class I signed up for at my affiliate Craftsy.com called Crochet Basics & Beyond (w/Kim Werker)

You can find many sewing themed fabrics over at Fabric.com by clicking the link.  I purchase a lot of fabric and notions from Fabric.com because of their extensive inventory that I can’t find at my local fabric store. This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What you will Need: DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial

• 1/2 yd. exterior fabric
• 1/2 yd lining fabric
• 1/2 yd medium weight interfacing
• Leather Handles or other option
• One 9″ zipper
• One 12″ zipper
• Standard Sewing supplies

Step 1: DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial

Cut two rectangles of outer fabric and two rectangles of lining fabric 15″ high X 21″ wide.  Cut two rectangle s of interfacing and fuse them to each of the outer fabric pieces according to fabric directions.  Then cut a 2″ X 2″ square from each of the bottom corners of the outer fabric and the lining fabric.

Step 2: DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial:

Take one piece of the lining fabric and add a 12″ coordinating zipper using my How to add a zippered pocket tutorial.  The tutorial will give you step by step instructions on how to add a zippered pocket to any hand bag.  Using the same tutorial add a 9″ zipper to the front piece of your outer fabric.  Next, add a slip pocket to the other piece of lining fabric by simply cutting two pieces of lining fabric and sewing them right sides together all the way around leaving an opening at the bottom for turning.  Clip the corners then turn the right side out.  Using whatever tool you like poke the corners so they are nice and crisp.  Top stitch the top of your pocket for a nice finished look then sew the remaining three sides to the lining fabric.  You can make your pocket any size you want but I decided to make mine 15″ long and 6 1/2″ high.  I then divided the pocket into thirds by sewing a seam every 5″.  Now that the pockets are complete you can move on to putting the bag together.

 

Step 3: DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial

With right sides together sew the side seams and the bottom of both the outer fabric and the lining fabric using 1/4″ seam allowance.  When sewing the bottom of the lining fabric be sure to leave an opening for turning the bag.

Step 4: DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial

Box the bottoms of the bag by pinching the openings at the bottom together so that the bottom seam and the side seam lineup together.  Make sure that the seam allowances are facing opposite directions.  This makes the seams line up perfectly.  Flatten and pin.

 

Step 5: DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial

Once the corners have been flattened and pinned, take a ruler and measure down until the ruler shows 5″ across and draw a line.  Do this to both outer corners and lining corners.  Sew over the lines you have drawn.  When you turn the bag right side out you will see perfectly boxed corners and lined up seams.

 

Step 6: DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial

It is time to add the handles.  You can add any type of handles you like but I chose some yellow leather handles that I had in my stockpile because they matched the yellow highlights in my outer fabric and the lining fabric I chose. To add these handles I simply hand sewed them to the outer bag fabric through the pre-drilled holes.  I measured 7 1/2″ from each side and 2″ from the top of the bag to the bottom of my handle for placement.

Step 7: DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial

Add a magnetic snap to the lining fabric. I measured one inch down from the top of the lining in the center and added the magnetic snap.  I always add a piece of heavyweight interfacing to my snaps to provide extra strength because this area will get a lot of wear.

Step 8: DIY Sewer’s Tote Tutorial

Once the snap is in place the right side of the outer bag inside the right side of the lining bag and clip the top.  Sew all the way around the top. Turn the bag through the opening you previously left in the lining.  Push the lining into the outer bag and top stitch around the top pf the bag for a finished look.  sew the opening in the bottom and you have a fabulous sewers tote.

If you would like more handbag patterns and tutorials, sign up for my newsletter and receive my free ebook that contians 15 handbag patterns and tutorials.