It's Here! Awesome Addictive Fun Reversible Tote Bag Tutorial

Here it is!  This is where it all started for me.   I made one of these and I was hooked!  The basic tote bag.  I've had this fabric in my stash for about three years now.  What?  I know.  Working on cleaning out my sewing space to make room for new.  This bag and tutorial are part of that process.  A warning to you, these are addictive!  There are "sew" many variations of this that you can make.  Cut the fabric pieces down about ten inches each and use ribbon for handles and you will have little Valentines Day gift gift bags.  Increase the fabric pieces by ten inches each, use some cotton webbing for handles and you have yourself an awesome beach tote!  I told you :)  Leave me a comment and let me know how you like love your new tote.  I would love to see it too, so leave a link to a pic of your beautiful new tote bag creation.  Enjoy!

Reversible Tote Bag Tutorial

What You Will Need

2 Pieces of fabric for the exterior measuring 15" x 16 1/2" 

2 Pieces of contrasting fabric for the interior measuring 15" x 16 1/2"

2 Pieces of coordinating fabric for the straps measuring 4" x 22" 

*These measurements are just suggestions.  Make the bag any size you like.  Use fabric that you already have lying around.  Also, for the straps, you could use cotton or polyester webbing.  The width of the handles is up to you, the length should still be around 22" for each handle.*

Assembly

Cut out your fabric pieces according to the measurements above.  You should have something like this:

Fold one of the strap pieces in half lengthwise and press.

Open up strap piece.  Fold bottom half up to center fold mark and press.  Repeat with top.

Fold strap piece in half and press.

Repeat with other strap piece.  Your straps should look like this now.

Stitch straps along each side.

Pin strap ends to top of exterior fabric pieces.  Fold each exterior piece in half and mark the top center with a pin.  Measure 4" from the center each way and pin the strap handles to the top like this:

Stitch straps in place using 1/2" seam allowance.

Your pieces should look like this now.

Place pieces right sides together, leaving straps inside.  

Pin around sides and bottom leaving top open

Stitch around sides and bottom using 1/2" seam allowance.   Leave top open.

Place interior fabric pieces right sides together and sew around sides and bottom with 1/2" seam allowance.  Leave top open.

Make bag bottom pleats on exterior and interior bag pieces.  Pinch the bottom corner of bag together and measure 1 1/2" from the corner.  Pin, mark and stitch.

Trim off extra fabric/seam allowance on both bag corner pieces.

I like to go back and zig zag stitch around the corners, sides and bottoms.  This will help keep the fabric from fraying.  The bag is machine washable so you can keep it forever!  Yay :)

Turn bag interior right side out.  Leave bag exterior inside out.  Now it looks like this!  Getting closer :)

Insert bag interior to bag exterior.  Right sides together.  Line up seams and pin the top together leaving an opening between the handles on one side for turning.

(sorry for the blurry photo here)

Stitch around bag top with 1/2" seam allowance.  Remember to leave the opening between the handles on one side so you can turn the bag.

Turn the bag right side out through the opening. 

Press the top of the bag flat and stitch all the way around.  Go back and forth over the straps a few times if you like for extra strength.

TA DA!!!  You are finished!  Congratulations!  You are now the proud owner of your very own handmade custom tote bag!!  Yay :)

Now you can give the bag to your husband and ask him to fill it with wine and goodies from the market for you!!  =)