Welcome! This is an incredibly practical and polished project that results in a versatile bag with a clean, structured design. It's perfect for carrying everything from daily essentials to market finds, with its spacious main compartment and handy outer pockets. This pattern is designed for an intermediate sewer who is comfortable with creating a multi-piece, structured bag.
Materials
Main Fabric: A heavy-duty, woven fabric like canvas, duck cloth, or twill (about 1 yard).
Handle/Contrasting Fabric: A contrasting, durable fabric for the handles and pocket flaps (about 1 yard of 1.5" wide webbing, or enough fabric to make your own handles).
Lining Fabric: A smooth, coordinating cotton or canvas (about 1 yard).
Fusible Interfacing: Heavy-weight fusible interfacing to give the bag a very firm structure (about 1 yard).
Thread: All-purpose thread that matches your fabric.
Snap or Button: A small snap, button, or hook-and-loop closure for the front pocket.
Tag or Label (Optional): A small fabric label or tag for a professional look.
Basic sewing supplies: Sewing machine, scissors, pins or clips, measuring tape, and an iron.
Key Concepts & Cutting Guide
This pattern is for a tote bag approximately 12 inches wide by 10 inches tall and 6 inches deep. The unique structure is created by the bottom gusset and side panels.
Cutting List:
Main Body (Outer Fabric): Cut one rectangle measuring 30" wide x 10" tall.
Lining Fabric: Cut one rectangle measuring 30" wide x 10" tall.
Interfacing: Cut one rectangle measuring 30" wide x 10" tall.
Side Panels (Outer Fabric): Cut two rectangles measuring 6" wide x 10" tall.
Side Panels (Lining Fabric): Cut two rectangles measuring 6" wide x 10" tall.
Side Panels (Interfacing): Cut two rectangles measuring 6" wide x 10" tall.
Side Pockets (Outer Fabric): Cut two rectangles measuring 6" wide x 8" tall.
Front Pocket (Outer Fabric): Cut one rectangle measuring 7" wide x 8" tall.
Pocket Flap (Outer Fabric): Cut one rectangle measuring 7" wide x 4" tall.
Handles: Cut two pieces of webbing, each 24" long.
Sewing Instructions
Note: Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance throughout the pattern unless otherwise noted.
Step 1: Prepare the Fabric and Cut the Pieces
Press the heavy-weight interfacing onto the wrong side of your Main Body and Side Panel outer fabric pieces.
If you are making your own handles, fold each Handle piece in half lengthwise and sew along the long edge. Turn them right side out and press them flat. Topstitch along both edges for a polished look.
Step 2: Create and Attach the Pockets
Take your Front Pocket piece. Hem the top edge and press. Then, fold and press the side and bottom edges.
Position the pocket at the center of the front of your main body piece. Pin it in place and sew along the pressed edges, leaving the top open.
For the pocket flap, take your Pocket Flap piece. Round the bottom corners. Place it right sides together with a piece of lining fabric and sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Turn it right side out and topstitch. Sew the flap to the top of the pocket, and attach the snap or closure.
For the Side Pockets, take your two pieces. Hem the top edge of each. Pin and sew them to the front of your side panels.
Step 3: Construct the Bag Body
Take your main body piece (which now has the pockets and handles attached) and fold it in half, right sides together. Sew the side seams to form a tube.
Take one of your side panels and pin it to the side opening of the main body, right sides together. Go slowly and use plenty of pins to get a smooth, even curve. Sew the side panel to the main body. Repeat for the other side panel.
Repeat this entire process for the lining fabric, leaving a 4-inch opening in the bottom seam.
Step 4: Final Assembly
Turn the main bag body right side out.
Place the lining bag inside the main bag, with the wrong sides facing.
Pin the lining to the top edge of the bag. You can either sew a single line of stitching around the top for a simple finish or hand-sew it down with a slip stitch.
Reach into the opening you left in the bottom of the lining, and pull the bag through. Push out all the corners to create a sharp, structured shape.
Hand-sew the opening in the lining closed with a slip stitch. Give the entire bag a final press with a cool iron to set the shape.
Your structured utility tote is now complete!
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