Tote bags are one of my favorite sewing projects. They require very few materials, take less than thirty minutes to make, and have so many great uses. And, if you don’t know how to sew, they are actually even easier! I made these totes as a gift to myself and my daughter to “tote” around on Mother’s Day and I think I’ll just go make ten more…
Materials needed:
- One yard of any type of fabric (cotton, canvas, jersey etc.)
- Strips of vinyl or leather for the handles
- Fusible bonding web (stitch witchery)
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Iron
- First, cut out your pieces. I cut the large tote 12in. wide x 28in. long and the small tote 9 in. wide by 20 in. long, but you can really make them any size or shape you want. Cut two vinyl straps for the larger handles 24″ long by 1/2″ wide and two straps for the small tote 14″ long by 1/2″ wide.
- Fold the fabric in half width-wise so that the right sides are facing each other. Open it and place a strip of bonding along both edges. Fold the fabric right sides together again and iron on top of the fabric so that the bonding seals the fabric pieces together.
- Fold the top edge of the tote bag down about 1 inch and place more bonding underneath the fold all around. Iron again on top of the fabric.
- Turn the tote bag right side out and hot glue your straps down. I placed mine on the outside because I liked the look of it but you can also glue them to the inside of the bag.
Let the straps dry for a few minutes and your bag is done! Repeat the same steps for each bag.
Fill them with flowers, snacks, or even a picnic blanket and your enjoy your Mother’s Day with your little ones!