Ready to create the ultimate everyday tote bag? This detailed pattern will guide you in making a versatile, multi-pocketed bag that is as functional as it is stylish. With two zippered front pockets, a main zippered compartment, side slip pockets, and both short handles and a detachable shoulder strap, this bag is designed to carry everything you need and keep it organized.
This project is a fantastic opportunity for intermediate to advanced sewers to practice a variety of skills, including zipper installation, creating different pocket styles, and working with hardware. The finished bag is sturdy, reliable, and looks incredibly professional.
Essential Materials and Tools Checklist
Having the right supplies on hand makes all the difference. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need to get started.
Fabric: You will need a few different fabrics to create this bag.
Exterior Fabric: About 1 yard of a heavy-weight, durable fabric like canvas, duck cloth, or denim.
Lining Fabric: About 1 yard of a medium-weight woven fabric like quilting cotton.
Interfacing: About 2 yards of fusible fleece or a heavy-weight fusible interfacing to give the bag a firm, structured shape.
Zippers: You will need three nylon coil zippers.
Main Zipper: One 16-inch zipper for the main compartment.
Front Pockets: Two 9-inch zippers for the front pockets.
Hardware:
D-Rings: Two 1-inch D-rings.
Swivel Clasps: Two 1-inch swivel clasps.
Strap Adjuster: One 1-inch strap adjuster slider.
Webbing:
Handles: 1.5 yards of 1.5-inch wide cotton or nylon webbing for the short handles.
Shoulder Strap: 1.5 yards of 1-inch wide cotton or nylon webbing for the shoulder strap.
Sewing Machine: This project requires a sewing machine. A walking foot is highly recommended for sewing through the thick layers of fabric and interfacing. A zipper foot is essential.
Cutting Tools: Sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat.
Fasteners: Sewing pins or wonder clips to hold your fabric pieces together.
Iron: An iron and ironing board are crucial for pressing seams and fusing the interfacing.
Thread: A spool of all-purpose polyester thread that matches or coordinates with your fabric.
The Pattern and Cutting Instructions
This bag is constructed from several simple rectangular pieces. The key is to cut each piece with precision.
Exterior & Interfacing:
Front/Back Main Panels (2 total): Cut 2 rectangles each measuring 16" x 14".
Side Panels (2 total): Cut 2 rectangles each measuring 5" x 14".
Bottom Panel (1 total): Cut 1 rectangle measuring 16" x 5".
Front Pocket Panels (for each of the 2 pockets):
Top Piece: Cut 2 rectangles each measuring 10" x 3".
Bottom Piece: Cut 2 rectangles each measuring 10" x 8".
Lining:
Front/Back Main Panels (2 total): Cut 2 rectangles each measuring 16" x 14".
Side Panels (2 total): Cut 2 rectangles each measuring 5" x 14".
Bottom Panel (1 total): Cut 1 rectangle measuring 16" x 5".
Optional Interior Pocket: Cut 1 rectangle measuring 8" x 12".
Webbing:
Short Handles (2 total): Cut 2 pieces of 1.5-inch webbing, each 24 inches long.
Shoulder Strap: Cut 1 piece of 1-inch webbing, 55 inches long.
Step-by-Step Assembly
This section will walk you through the entire sewing process. All seams should be sewn with a 1/2-inch seam allowance unless otherwise stated.
Part 1: Creating the Pockets
Step 1: Front Pockets. Take your front pocket top and bottom pieces. Place a 9-inch zipper on a work surface, right side facing up. Lay a top pocket piece on top, right side down, aligning the edge with the zipper tape. Pin and sew. Flip it over and press. Repeat for the bottom pocket piece, aligning its edge with the other side of the zipper tape. Sew and press.
Step 2: Create the Pleats. Mark two vertical pleats on the bottom pocket piece, centered and spaced evenly. Fold and sew the pleats in place at the top and bottom.
Step 3: Finish the Front Panel. Take a main front panel and place the pocket piece on top, aligning the bottom edge of the pocket with the bottom edge of the main panel. Baste it in place. Repeat for the second pocket.
Part 2: Assembling the Exterior Bag
Step 4: Sew the Sides and Bottom. Take the main front panel and sew the two side panels to it, right sides together. Then, sew the main back panel to the other sides of the side panels, forming a U-shape.
Step 5: Attach the Bottom. Pin the bottom panel to the base of the U-shaped body, right sides together. Sew all the way around to create the boxy shape.
Step 6: Attach the Handles. Pin the ends of the two short webbing handles to the top edge of the bag, centered on the front and back. Baste them in place.
Step 7: Attach the D-Rings. Fold the ends of two short webbing pieces (about 3 inches long) around a D-ring. Baste these to the top side seams of the bag.
Part 3: Assembling the Lining
Step 8: Sew the Lining. Repeat the exterior assembly process to create the lining. Sew the side and bottom panels to the main panels. Leave a 6-inch gap in the bottom seam of the lining for turning. If you want an interior pocket, sew it to one of the lining panels before assembling.
Part 4: Final Assembly and Finishing
Step 9: Attach the Main Zipper. Take your 16-inch zipper. Place the exterior bag on a work surface, right side out. Pin one side of the zipper to the top front of the bag. Pin the other side of the zipper to the top back of the bag. Baste in place.
Step 10: Join the Bag and Lining. Insert the exterior bag into the lining bag, so the right sides are facing each other. Align the top raw edges and pin all the way around, sandwiching the zipper and D-rings between the layers. Sew all the way around the top edge.
Step 11: Turn and Finish. Reach into the opening you left in the lining and pull the entire bag through. Gently push out the corners. Press the top edge of the bag. Hand-stitch or machine-stitch the opening in the lining closed. Topstitch all the way around the top opening of the bag, about 1/4 inch from the edge.
Step 12: The Shoulder Strap. Take the long webbing piece. Thread one end through a swivel clasp. Fold the end over and sew it down. Thread the other end through the strap adjuster, then through the second swivel clasp, and back through the strap adjuster. Sew the end down.
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