DIY Small Tote Bag Sewing Tutorial
Sew a small tote bag using this easy sewing tutorial. This little tote bag sewing project is perfect for beginners.
The small mini tote bag sewing pattern is one of my favorite projects to sew! This little bag is quick and easy to sew and is perfect to use for gifts, snacks, sewing supplies, a little purse, storage, and so much more!
For this DIY tote bag, I’m using Christmas fabric because I plan on using it as a fabric gift bag filled with candy and a couple of ornaments. You can also use it as a decorative piece at Christmas and fill with bulb ornaments – or for any occasion.
The finished dimensions of the small tote bag are approximately 9″W (at the widest part) x 6″H x 5″D.
Fat quarters are perfect for sewing this beginner friendly DIY small tote bag.
Larger tote bag options 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 12 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Small tote bag sewing supplies needed:
- One fat quarter for outer fabric – my favorite fabric shop
- One fat quarter for lining fabric
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Clear ruler
- 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 10.5″W x 9″H.
Cut two outer fabric pieces measuring 4″W x 10.5″H for the straps.
Attach the fusible interfacing
I’m using Pellon P44F Fusible interfacing for this tote bag pattern but any lightweight fusible interfacing will work.
Attach the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of all the fabric pieces following the package instructions.
Make the tote bag straps
The finished straps will be 1-inch 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 small bag, 1-inch wide means I need to cut the fabric 4 inches wide before folding.
Place one of the straps face down on your ironing board. Fold the strap in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Follow these instructions on how to make your own mini ironing board.
Open the strap back up and fold the outside edge to the center fold you just made and press.
Turn the strap around and repeat with the other outside edge and press.
Fold the strap in half again and press.
Sew along each side lengthwise using 1/4″ seam allowance.
Repeat these steps with the other strap.
The above picture shows the sewn straps.
Baste the straps
You are going to baste the straps to the outer fabric pieces.
With one of the outer fabric pieces right side up, place each outside edge of the strap 2.25″ from the edge of the fabric. See above picture. Clip or pin to hold in place.
Baste the strap to the outer fabric to hold in place.
Repeat with the other outer fabric piece and strap.
Sew the outer fabric pieces together
Place the outer fabric pieces right sides together. Pin the sides and bottom, leaving the top open.
Sew the sides and bottom using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Sew the lining fabric pieces together
Follow the same steps as outer fabrics above to sew the lining pieces together.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 12 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Measure and cut the bottom squares
You are going to cut squares from each bottom corner to square the bottom of the mini tote bag. The size of the square depends on how wide you want the bottom of the bag to be.
RULE OF THUMB: The bottom width of the bag is going to be two times the width of the squares you cut. For this small bag, I am going to cut 2.5-inch squares which makes the bottom width of the bag 5 inches. If you want the bottom to be 4-inches, you’ll need to cut 2-inch squares.
Use your clear ruler and marking pencil to make a 2.5-inch square at each bottom corner.
Cut out the squares along the marked lines using your sewing scissors.
Square the bottom
Take one of the corners and pinch together, lining up the seams. Pin in place.
Sew along the edge using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Repeat with the other three corners.
The bottom of your bag is now 5-inches wide.
Sew it all together
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.
Be sure your straps are in between the bags.
Line up the seams and pin around the top of the bag, leaving an opening for turning.
Sew around the top of the bag using a 3/8″ seam allowance, again leaving an opening for turning. Sew over the straps a couple times for extra durability.
Turn right side out
Through the opening, turn the tote bag right side out. Push the lining inside the bag.
Press around the top of the bag and pin the opening.
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.
Pin for later!
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 12 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
You are finished!
I hope you enjoyed this sewing tutorial on how to sew a small tote bag. Happy sewing!
Other small sewing projects to try:
- Mini Storage Baskets – Two Sizes
- Metal Frame Coin Purse – Template included
- Mini Zipper Pouch Key Chain
- Lip Balm Lipstick Holder Key Chain