Vinyl Bottom Tote Bag Sewing Tutorial
The vinyl bottom tote bag is an easy sewing project and features grommets for attaching the straps.
This tote bag features a vinyl bottom and grommets for attaching the straps. This sewing tutorial is similar to the Simple Tote Bag except with a few added steps. If you don’t have access to vinyl, a coordinated fabric can be used instead.
The finished dimensions of this shoulder tote bag measure approximately 14″W (at the widest part) x 13″H x 4″D.
Sew a matching fabric wallet or a lip balm holder key chain to go with it!
I love how this bag turned out. Here are the instructions on how to sew a tote bag with vinyl bottom.
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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 19 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Vinyl bottom shoulder bag supplies needed:
- Vinyl fabric – two pieces measuring 15″W x 6″H
- Outer fabric pieces – two measuring 15″W x 10″H – my favorite fabric shop
- Lining fabric pieces – two measuring 15″W x 15.25″H
- Two outer fabric pieces measuring 4″W x 33″H for the straps
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Clear ruler
- Fusible interfacing – Pellon 911FF Fusible Interfacing
- Four 1-inch grommets – Dritz curtain grommets
- Magnetic snap
- Marking pencil
- Sewing scissors
- Sewing machine
Measure and cut the fabric and vinyl
Using your cutting mat, clear ruler, and rotary cutter, cut two vinyl pieces measuring 15″W x 6″H.
Cut two outer fabric pieces measuring 15″W x 10″H.
Cut two lining fabric pieces measuring 15″W x 15.25″H.
For the vinyl bottom tote bag straps, cut two outer fabric pieces measuring 4″W x 33″H.
Attach the fusible interfacing
I’m using Pellon 911FF Fusible Interfacing for this tote bag pattern.
Attach the fusible interfacing to the back of all the fabric pieces, following the package instructions. You do not need to attach interfacing to the vinyl pieces.
NOTE: Cut the interfacing for the straps about 1/2 inch shorter in length on each end for hemming.
Make the tote bag straps
The finished straps will be 1-inch wide, which is the size of the grommets being used for attaching the straps in a later step.
RULE OF THUMB: Decide how wide you would like your finished straps to be, then multiply by 4 and that will be how wide you will need to cut your fabric. For this tote bag, 1-inch wide means I need to cut the fabric 4 inches wide before folding.
Fold each strap in half lengthwise and press along the fold.
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.
Open back up and fold each short end in about 1/2-inch and press. Fold the strap together again and press. Hemming the strap gives it a finished look and hides the raw edges.
Sew the strap along the folded edges using about 1/4″ seam allowance.
The above picture shows the finished straps.
Sew vinyl and outer fabric together
The vinyl is going to be the bottom of the bag so you’ll be sewing it to the bottom edge of the outer fabric.
Place the vinyl piece on top of the outer fabric piece right sides together with the bottom edges lined up. Clip to hold in place. Sewing clips should be used instead of straight pins because pins will leave holes in the vinyl.
Sew along the bottom edge using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Top stitch along the fabric. (You might need to use a plastic non-stick presser foot for sewing on vinyl or leather). Top stitching gives it a finished look and helps the vinyl lay flat.
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 messenger 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.
I cut two outer fabric pieces measuring 15″W x 5.5″H for three slip pockets and two lining fabric pieces measuring 9″W x 8″H for a zipper pocket using a 7″ zipper.
If you decide to add slip pockets, be sure the bottom edge of the pockets is at least 2.5″ from the bottom of the lining fabric piece.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 19 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Add the magnetic snap
The magnetic snap has four parts – male, female, and two washers.
You are going to add the magnetic snap to the lining fabric pieces of the tote bag with vinyl bottom.
Decide where you would like the magnetic snap to be and place one of the washers there. The center is at 7.5″. Be sure to leave room at the top for the seam allowance and top stitching.
Mark the washer slots on the fabric with a marking pencil. Cut the slits with your seam ripper (cut just a bit smaller than your pencil mark. You don’t want the slits too big).
Push the prongs on the male snap through the slits you just made.
Place the washer on the back of the male snap through the slits. Hold down the washer and fold the prongs towards the center of the snap. I use scissors or something sturdy to push down on the prongs.
Next, place the lining pieces on top of each other, right sides together. Press on top of the male snap you just installed. You should be able to see the outline of the snap. Mark a dot in the center of the snap with your marking pencil.
Place the second washer on top of the dot you marked so the dot is showing through the center of the washer. Use your marking pencil to mark the slits.
Repeat the above steps to attach the female magnetic snap.
Sew the vinyl bottom tote bag together
Starting with the outer fabric pieces, place the fabric pieces right sides together. Be sure to line up the seam where the vinyl and fabric are sewn together.
Sew the sides and bottom, using a 3/8″ seam allowance, leaving the top open.
Repeat this step with the lining fabric pieces.
Square the bottom of the tote bag
You are going to cut a 2″ square at each bottom corner of both the lining and outer bags pieces.
Using your clear ruler and marking pencil, mark a 2″ square at each bottom corner of the outer fabric bag piece.
Cut the squares along the marked lines using your sewing scissors. Repeat with the lining bag piece.
Pinch each square together, lining up the seams. Clip to hold in place.
Sew along the edge using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
The bottom of your vinyl bottom tote bag is now 4-inches.
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 bag, the squares are 2-inches which makes the finished bottom width 4 inches. For a 5-inch wide bottom, you’ll cut the squares 2.5-inches wide.
The above picture shows what both the outer and lining tote bag pieces should look like. I press the seams at this point.
Turn the outer bag wrong side out.
Sew it all together
Turn the lining bag right side out and place inside the outer bag.
The right sides of the fabric should be facing each other.
Line up the seams and pin to hold in place, leaving an opening in for turning.
Sew around the top of the bag using a 3/8″ seam allowance, again leaving an opening for turning.
Through the opening, turn the tote bag right side out. Push the lining inside the bag and press.
Top stitch around the top giving the bag a finished look and closing the opening.
The above picture shows what your tote bag should look like at this point.
Attach the grommets and straps
The above picture shows the grommets I’m using for this tote bag with vinyl bottom – Dritz home 1″ curtain grommets. It comes in a pack of 8 but you’ll only need to use 4 grommets.
The grommets are easy to attach but you should read the directions before starting.
Decide where you would like the grommets placed. I measured 3.5″ from the side and 1.5″ from the top and marked the spot with a marking pencil.
Place the grommet template on top of the mark and use the marking pencil to mark the open slots to form the circle.
Cut out the circles with your sewing scissors and attach the grommets.
Take one of the straps and slide each end through the front of the grommets and fold. Be sure the fold is the same length for all the straps to keep the straps the same size.
Sew the strap – I usually sew two lines for extra durability.
Repeat these steps with the other strap.
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 19 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 make a vinyl bottom tote bag! Happy sewing!
Other handbag sewing tutorials:
- Belt Bag / Fanny Pack Sewing Tutorial
- Curved Top Shoulder Bag Sewing Project
- How to Sew a Wristlet Purse
- Small Crossbody Messenger Bag Sewing Tutorial
