Cloth Tote Bag for Woman Sewing at Home DIY Tutorial

 

If you love stylish and practical accessories, this DIY cotton and denim patchwork bag is the perfect sewing project. Combining two strong fabrics—cotton canvas and denim—this bag is modern, durable, and versatile enough to use as a daily carryall or a chic travel bag.

What makes this bag special is its patchwork design, which allows you to mix and match colors, textures, or even repurpose old denim. It also features detachable handles and straps using metal rings, giving it a professional, store-bought look.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewist, this step-by-step tutorial will walk you through making your own.



Materials Needed

Before we start, gather your supplies:

  • Outer fabric: Medium-weight cotton canvas and denim (about ½ yard each, or use scraps).

  • Lining fabric: Quilting cotton or light canvas (1 yard).

  • Interfacing: Medium-weight fusible interfacing for structure.

  • Straps & handles:

    • 2 short straps (for hand carry) – faux leather, cotton webbing, or fabric straps.

    • 1 long adjustable strap – cotton webbing, denim, or canvas.

  • Hardware:

    • 4 D-rings or rectangular rings (1”–1.5”)

    • 2 swivel hooks for detachable strap

    • 2 leather or fabric tabs for attaching rings

  • Thread: All-purpose polyester (matching or contrast).

  • Sewing machine: with denim or heavy-duty needle (size 90/14 or 100/16).

  • Other tools: scissors, rotary cutter, ruler, pins or clips, chalk, iron.


Cutting the Fabric

For the patchwork design, we’ll use two fabrics (denim and cotton canvas) arranged in a 2×2 block layout for each bag panel.

  • Denim fabric:

    • 2 squares: 11” × 11”

  • Cotton canvas fabric:

    • 2 squares: 11” × 11”

This makes one panel (front). Repeat for the back panel.
👉 So you’ll need 4 denim squares and 4 cotton squares total.

  • Lining fabric:

    • 2 rectangles: 20.5” × 18”

  • Interfacing:

    • Cut same size as outer bag panels (20.5” × 18”)

  • Base corners (for depth): We’ll later cut 3.5” × 3.5” squares at the bottom corners.


Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Create Patchwork Panels

  1. Arrange your four squares (two denim, two cotton) into a block pattern (checkerboard style).

  2. Place one denim and one cotton square right sides together, sew along one edge using ½” seam allowance. Repeat with the other pair.

  3. Press seams open.

  4. Sew the two strips together to form a larger panel (20.5” × 18”).

  5. Repeat to make the back panel.

  6. Press and topstitch seams for durability and style.



Step 2: Fuse Interfacing

  1. Iron fusible interfacing onto the wrong side of each patchwork panel.

  2. This gives structure and prevents sagging.


Step 3: Sew Outer Bag

  1. Place front and back panels right sides together.

  2. Sew along both sides and bottom with ½” seam allowance.

  3. Leave top open.


Step 4: Box the Corners

  1. Cut out 3.5” × 3.5” squares from bottom corners.

  2. Pinch and align seams to form triangles.

  3. Sew across the raw edge with ½” seam allowance.
    👉 This creates a flat, roomy bottom.


Step 5: Sew Lining

  1. Repeat steps for the lining: sew sides and bottom, then box corners.

  2. Leave a 5” gap at the bottom seam for turning later.



Step 6: Prepare Handles & Hardware Tabs

  1. Take short straps (about 20” each). If using fabric straps, fold and stitch as in tote bag tutorial.

  2. Attach each strap end to a leather/fabric tab. Insert a D-ring into each tab and fold over.

  3. Stitch securely.
    👉 You should have 2 handles with rings ready to attach.


Step 7: Attach Handles to Bag

  1. Place handles on the outer bag, aligning tabs near the top edges, about 4” in from each side.

  2. Pin in place with raw edges aligned.

  3. Baste (temporary stitch) them to the bag.


Step 8: Assemble Bag

  1. Place outer bag (right side out) inside lining (wrong side out) so right sides are facing.

  2. Align side seams and top edges, sandwiching straps in between.

  3. Sew all around the top edge.



Step 9: Turn Bag

  1. Pull the entire bag through the gap in lining.

  2. Push outer bag through until right side is out.

  3. Stitch the lining gap closed neatly.


Step 10: Finishing Touches

  1. Push lining inside bag, press the top edge flat.

  2. Topstitch around the opening (⅛” from edge).

  3. Attach long adjustable strap using swivel hooks and side D-rings.

  4. Optional: Add a magnetic snap or zipper closure at the top.


Finished Size

Your bag will measure about:

  • Width: 20” (50 cm)

  • Height: 18” (45 cm)

  • Depth: 7” (18 cm)



Customization Ideas

  • Patchwork style: Use more than two colors for a vibrant, quilt-like effect.

  • Upcycled denim: Repurpose old jeans for an eco-friendly bag.

  • Contrast stitching: Use white thread on dark denim for a stylish accent.

  • Inner pockets: Add zipper or patch pockets to the lining for keys, phone, or wallet.

  • Crossbody only: Skip short handles and only attach a long adjustable strap.


Sewing Tips

  • Use a walking foot for even stitching on thick fabrics.

  • Clip bulky seams at the corners before turning.

  • Press after each step for crisp, professional results.

  • If sewing through thick layers, use a denim needle and lengthen stitch to 3.0–3.5 mm.




Conclusion

This DIY cotton & denim patchwork bag is stylish, strong, and incredibly versatile. It’s roomy enough for daily errands, fashionable enough for outings, and durable enough to last years. The combination of denim and cotton canvas makes it modern and trendy, while the detachable strap hardware adds a professional finish.

Once you make one, you’ll probably want to experiment with other fabric combos—khaki with black denim, pastel cotton with white canvas, or even bold printed cotton with leather-look accents. It’s the perfect project for anyone who wants a unique, handmade bag that looks like it came from a boutique.

No comments:

Post a Comment

DIY Sewing Pattern

  Welcome! This is an incredibly practical and polished project that results in a versatile bag with a clean, structured design. It's pe...