How to Sew a Quilted Flat Bottom Tote Bag – Sewing Tutorial
Sew a large quilted flat bottom tote bag using this beginner friendly sewing tutorial. You can quilt the fabric using the design you love.
The tote bag is one of the simplest sewing projects yet the most useful (in my opinion). I took my simple tote bag sewing pattern and used it to create a larger quilted tote bag and I love how it turned out! You can use this quilted tote bag sewing tutorial to practice your quilting skills using any quilting design you prefer.
The finished tote bag is approximately 15″W (at the widest part) x 14″H x 4″D.
If you love making handbags as much as I love sewing them, you’ll love this list of my favorite handbags to sew!
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***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 13 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Quilted tote bag supplies needed:
- Outer fabric – (2) 16″ x 16″, (2) 5″W x 28″H – my favorite fabric shop
- Lining fabric – (2) 16″ x 16″
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Clear ruler
- Cotton batting – (2) 16″ x 16″
- Fusible interfacing – Pellon P44F Fusible Interfacing
- Marking pencil
- Matching thread
- Sewing scissors
- Sewing machine
Measure and cut your fabric
Using your cutting mat, clear ruler, and rotary cutter, cut two outer fabric pieces and two lining fabric pieces each measuring 16″ x 16″.
Cut two outer fabric pieces measuring 5″W x 28″H for the straps.
Add the batting and quilt the fabric
Now you’re going to add the batting to the two outer bag fabric pieces. I’m using Warm and White cotton batting for this tote bag sewing pattern.
Cut two pieces of cotton batting measuring 16″ x 16″ for the outer bag pieces.
Place the batting pieces to the wrong side of each outer fabric piece. Pin to hold in place.
Quilt the batting to the fabric in any design you like. I’m using the same quilting design as I did for my quilted messenger crossbody handbag. I started in the middle and sewed random curved lines from top to bottom.
Attach the fusible interfacing
I’m using Pellon P44F Fusible Interfacing for this tote bag sewing pattern but any lightweight fusible interfacing will work.
You are going to attach the fusible interfacing to both lining fabric pieces and both strap fabric pieces.
Place the interfacing on the wrong side of the fabric pieces and attach following the package instructions.
Make the tote bag straps
The finished straps will be 1.25″ wide.
RULE OF THUMB: Decide how wide you would like your finished strap to be, then multiply by 4 and that will be how wide you will need to cut your fabric. For this tote bag, 1.25 inches wide means I need to cut the fabric 5 inches wide before folding.
Once you have the fusible interfacing attached to your strap, lay your strap right side down on your ironing board.
Fold the strap in half lengthwise (wrong sides together) and press the fold.
Check out these instructions to make your own mini ironing board.
Open back up and fold the outside edge to the center and press.
Turn the strap around and fold the other outside edge to the center and press.
Fold in half again and press.
Sew the strap lengthwise along the folded edges using about 1/4″ seam allowance.
Repeat with the other tote bag strap.
The above picture shows the finished straps.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 13 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Add inside pockets (optional)
At this point, you have the option of adding pockets to the lining fabric pieces if you want pockets on the inside of your tote bag. To add a zipper pocket, follow these instructions on how to add a zipper pocket. For slip pockets, follow these instructions on how to add slip pockets to a bag.
Baste the straps
Place one of the straps on top of one of the outer fabric pieces 3.5 inches from each edge. Pin in place.
Baste the strap to the outer fabric to hold in place.
Repeat with the other strap and the other outer fabric piece.
Sew the outer and lining bags
Use a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Starting with the outer fabric, place the fabric pieces right sides together.
Pin the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Be sure your straps are on the inside.
Sew the sides and bottom together, using a 3/8” seam allowance.
Repeat with the lining fabric pieces.
Square the bottom of the tote bag
You are going to cut squares from each bottom corner to create the flat bottom of your quilted tote bag.
Starting with the outer fabric pieces, use your clear ruler and marking pencil to make a 2-inch square at each bottom corner.
Cut out the squares with your sewing scissors.
Pinch the corner together and line up the seams.
Clip or pin to hold in place and sew along the edge using a 3/8” seam allowance.
The bottom of the tote bag is now 4-inches wide.
RULE OF THUMB: The finished bottom width of the tote bag is going to be two times the width of the squares you cut. For this quilted tote bag, the squares are 2-inches which makes the finished bottom width 4-inches. If you wanted your finished bottom to be 5-inches, you would need to cut the squares 2.5-inches wide.
Repeat these steps with the lining fabric pieces.
You now have one outer fabric bag and one lining fabric bag.
Sew it all together
Use a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Turn the lining bag right side out. Keep the outer bag wrong side out. Place the lining fabric INSIDE the outer fabric piece. The right sides of each fabric piece should be facing each other and the straps should be in between the bags.
Line up the side seams and pin or clip all around, leaving an opening for turning.
Sew around the top of the tote bag using a 3/8″ seam allowance, again, leaving an opening for turning.
Turn right side out
Through the opening, turn the quilted tote bag right side out. Push the lining inside the bag.
Press around the top of the bag and pin the opening closed.
Top stitch all around the top of the bag. This will give it a finished look and closes the opening made for turning. Press again.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 13 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Pin for later!
You are finished!
I hope you enjoyed sewing a new quilted flat bottom tote bag for yourself or someone else! These tote bags make great gifts! Happy sewing!
Other fun bags to sew:
- Curved Top Shoulder Bag Sewing Pattern
- Small Over the Shoulder Purse Sewing Tutorial
- Quilted Patchwork Crossbody Messenger Bag Tutorial
- Crossbody Cell Phone Purse Sewing Tutorial