How To Sew a Tote Bag (with only 1/2 yard)!
I love sewing tote bags. They are fun and easy to make. More importantly, they don't take a lot to make! All you need is 1/2 yard of fabric and an hour or so at the sewing table. That's it! I have previously shared a sewing tutorial for a simple tote bag with lining and a foldable grocery shopper (a modified version of the former tutorial). Today, I am sharing a step-by-step tutorial on how to sew a tote bag with only 1/2 yard of fabric!
A tote bag in ice cream print sewn with only 1/2 yard fabric
Features
Here are the features of this 1/2 yard tote bag:
Main body measures approximately 10" long and 15" wide
Boxed corners with a ~4" wide base
French seams (i.e. no exposed seams, no zig-zag stitches/serger)
A note on sewing french seams
A french seam is a type of seam finishing where the raw edge of the seam allowance is totally encased. It is sewn by placing the wrong sides of the fabric pieces together first, then trimming the seam allowance, and then turning the work wrong side out and sewing the right sides together. Wow, okay that's quite a number of steps. But it's easy, you'll see!
Essentially, the first step of sewing the wrong sides together may be seen as an extra step.
I chose to use french seams for this project for the following reasons:
clean and professional finish
strong, durable seams
hidden raw edges
Basically, french seams make this tote bag look better (on both the inside and outside) and last longer!
Ready to start sewing? The instructions on how to sew a tote bag with only 1/2 yard fabric is up next.
How to sew a tote bag with only 1/2 yard of fabric
Abbreviations
RS = right side(s)
WS = wrong side(s)
Materials
1/2 yard of fabric (in 43" width minimum)
For this project, I am using a Kokka fabric in a cute ice-cream print which I purchased from a brick and mortar store in Singapore
Straight ruler
Fabric scissors (or rotary cutter)
2B pencil (or your choice of tool for marking the fabric)
Sewing machine
Sewing thread
Sewing pins (or clips)
Steam iron
Safety pin or loop turner
Cutting the fabric
Here's an illustrated guide to cutting the pattern on a 43" wide x 1/2 yd fabric:
Cutting guide for how to sew a tote bag with only 1/2 yard of fabric
Each bag body piece measures 15" x 17"
Each strap piece measures 2" x 12.5"
Image of Kokka Ice-cream fabric via kawaiifabric.com
1. Cut the body of the bag
Cut 2 pieces, each measuring 15” x 17”
2. Cut the boxed corner of the bag body pieces
Using a 2B pencil, mark and then cut a 2" x 2" square from the bottom corners of the bag body pieces
3. Cut the straps pieces
Cut 4 rectangles, each measuring 4” x 12.5”
Sewing the tote bag
1. Sew the straps
Sew 2 strap pieces together at the short edge, RS together, with ¼” seam allowance. Press seam open.
Repeat for another 2 strap pieces. You will now have 2 long strap pieces, each measuring 24.5" long
Fold the straps in half lengthwise, RS together
Sew straps along raw seam with ⅜” seam allowance
Using a safety pin (or a loop turner), turn the straps RS out
Press the seams flat with a steam iron
Edgestitch along pressed seams on both straps so they stay flat
2. Sew the bag body
With bag body WS together, sew side seams and bottom seam with ¼” seam allowance, then trim seam to ⅛”
Turn bag body WS out, press seams flat, then sew side seams and bottom seam RS together with ¼” seam allowance
3. Sew boxed corner
Turn bag body RS out, then align raw edge of boxed corner WS together. To reduce bulk, make sure the seam allowances of the side seams are folded in opposite directions.
Sew along raw edge of boxed corner with ¼” seam allowance, then trim to ⅛”
Turn bag body WS out, then sew the boxed corner with ¼” seam allowance RS together
This is how the boxed corners should look on the inside!
4. Sew straps to bag
Press ¼” of the top edge of the bag body towards the WS, then press another 1” of the top edge of the bag body towards the WS to make a double-fold hem
Take a bag strap and pin one end of it 3” from the centre of the bag body. Repeat this for the other end of the same strap. You only need to place ½" of the end of the strap in the double-fold hem.
Repeat with the other bag strap for the other side of the bag
Sew the straps in place by sewing ⅛” from the bottom of the double-fold hem
Note: When positioning the straps in place, make sure the side with the edgestitch are facing each other!
5. Reinforce straps
Secure the straps by turning the straps up towards the folded top edge of the bag, press flat, then sew a square and a ‘X’ pattern within the width of the strap
1-4: Start with a square
5: Go diagonally across and down
6: Overlap (2)
7: Go diagonally across and up
8: Backstitch and overlap (3)
That's it, you're done!
Sewing your own tote bag with only 1/2 yard of fabric
Now, at this stage, you probably want more information on this delicious-looking ice-cream fabric. It's so perfect for this sewing project, isn't it?
This ice-cream fabric is an oxford cotton panel designed by Kokka, a Japanese fabric company. I purchased this from a brick and mortar store while I was still living in Singapore. Kokka fabrics are tricky to get in this other part of the world, as I have recently learnt. Based on my search online, it seems like Kawaii Fabric, a fabric store based in Hong Kong (and ships worldwide) carries a steady supply of Kokka fabrics online. And, they did carry this ice-cream design in a different colourway! If you search "kokka ice cream fabric" on Etsy, you may be able to find some in stock other sellers as well.
Images of Kokka Ice-cream fabric via kawaiifabric.com
But hey, newsflash - you don't have to get a Kokka fabric to sew this tote bag! This sewing project is meant to be a stash buster, so I strongly encourage you to look into your current stash before considering purchasing new fabrics to sew with. Make a tote bag to match your dress, your fabric mask, your hat, anything and everything!!
Will you be sewing a tote bag for yourself or a friend? Let me know what you think about this tutorial in the comments below!