deputy tote tutorial

It's Monday and my kiddos are home from school.  They are currently sipping hot chocolate trying to warm up from a morning of doing things like this...

 and this...

While I take a few minutes to publish this tote bag tutorial.

You will need: 

2 15" x 15" squares of fabric for the lining

2  30" x 6" pieces for the handles

2  15" x 15" squares of fabric for the body of the tote (I used home decor weight cotton fabric)

Note:  You can piece the outside fabric any way you like.  If you want to make it just like mine I used two 15" x 5" pieces for the top band (red) and two 15" x 11" pieces for the bottom portion of the tote. 

 

For the handles:

 

Fold fabric for the tote handles in half lengthwise.  Press.  Open and fold in and press one inch from each side.

Topstitch along both edges of each handle with a 1/8" seam allowance.

 

Place fabric for the body of the bag, right sides together, and sew along the sides and bottom with a 1/2" seam allowance. 

Note:  I used home decor weight fabric and this tote is pretty sturdy but if you're using quilting cotton you may want to iron fusible interfacing to the backside of the fabric before sewing it together.

To create the flat bottom of the tote you need to square off the corners.  Do this by pulling the bottom and side seams open.  Pinch the corner and match the bottom and side seams.  Mark off 1 1/2" from the point and pin.  Stitch straight down.  This bottom seam will be perpendicular to the side seams.

Mark off 1 1/2" from the point and pin. (close-up)

 

Stitch straight down.  The bottom seam will be perpendicular to the side seams.

 

Repeat for the other corner.

Trim off corners, leaving a 1/2" seam allowance.

  

Turn bag right side out.  The bottom will look like this.  Easy-peasy.

 

Now we're working on the lining.  Place the two pieces of lining fabric right sides together and stitch down both sides and bottom - leaving a three inch opening in the bottom seam for turning the bag later.  (see photo)

 

To create the flat bottom of the lining you need to square off the corners just like you did for the outside of the bag.  Do this by pulling the bottom and side seams open.  Pinch the corner and match the bottom and side seams.  Mark off 1 1/2" from the point and pin.  Stitch straight down.  The bottom seam will be perpendicular to the side seams.  Repeat for the other corner.  Trim off corners, leaving a 1/2" seam allowance.

You lining will look like above photo.

Now place the bag handles where you want them on the right side of the tote.  I like to measure in about 3" from either side.  Do the same with the handles on the other side of the bag.  Pin the handles in place.

Place the bag lining (wrong side out) over the bag (right side out) with the handles tucked in between the two layers.  Make sure the fabrics are right sides together and the top raw edges are even.  Check to make sure the side seams of the lining fabric match up with the side seams of the  tote fabric.  Pin the layers together.  Take out the pins you used to pin the handles in place earlier and reposition them with the lining on top and the handles in between.  (see photo)

Sew all around along the top edge with a 1/2 seam allowance.  Go back and reinforce all four handle ends by stitching over the seam several times.

 

Now it's time to turn your tote!  Do this by pulling the tote out through the opening at the bottom on the lining.

It will look like this.  Next sew up the opening in the bottom of the lining by hand with a blind stitch.  Push the lining back down into the bag.  Press the bag with a hot iron, paying special attention to the top edge. 

 

All done!  Enjoy you new tote.

 Ribbon bow (simply tied around handle) optional but so much fun.

I must go because my kiddos are done with their hot chocolate and I believe I just heard the words pillow + fight coming from the other room.  Oh, Mondays!  Have a wonderful (mon)day everyone!

Comments

[julia]

You really outdid yourself...this is a wonderful tutorial...so clear.

Thanks Larissa.

[Andrea]

Fantastic tutorial!! Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us. I might have to go check the closet and see if I have any fabric that fits those requirements :)

[Beth]

Thanks - I can't wait to make one. I'm jealous of the snow pics. We are just cold - no snow fun.

[kristyn]

another wonderful tutorial!! and what a wonderful tote!! we are so fortunate to learn from such a talented artist!

[Keri]

This is the best tote tutorial I have seen! Could you tell me what the finished dimensions are? I am not quite sure since the flat bottom decreases the dimensions. I want to make one for my son to hold his music books and want to make sure it is big enough!

[Jodi]

You're the best. Really. THE BEST. Thank you so much. I can't wait to get started on tote #2. (I'm forever grateful).

[Laura]

so cute! i am so addicted to bags that i might just have to make one for myself even though i deffinately don't need it. i'll be on the lookout for the perfect fabric now. thanks for the tut!

[leslie]

thank you, larissa.
i think i must make one. soon!!!!

[darlene]

blow me over that is gorgeous! i made a bag like unto that for my middle daughter for Christmas. the bow just adds so much pizzaz though!

[Heather]

WOW. This is a wonderful tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing. I just made my kiddos another set of day night bags, and I squared the bottoms for the first time. I love the look so much better.

[Lisa Q]

that's how I do mine...but I always have to rethink it everytime...this will come in handy. Love the bag and love your choice of fabrics. you. are. so. good. (when is your book coming out? :))

[AJ]

Very cute bag. Love the tutorial. I like the market bag corners. I'll have to try one out and add it to our library or grocery tote bags. Never can have too many!

[Imene]

My sons love hot cocoa after playing in the snow. We might get some over the weekend, I better stock up ;o)
I love the tutorial, your friend is right you do a wonderful job explaining the process

[Karen]

A great tutorial, Larissa, thanks for sharing with us :) My kids love hot cocoa too; ah, childhoood!

[Gabriele Kubo]

Dear Larissa,

I was just reading on Shivaya Naturals and discovered your BEAUTIFUL knitted sweaters for your daughter and yourself. My girl and me are in "twin set mood" recently, and I want to ask you if you have any pattern for them?? I also do admire your brown sweater, it has a great cut, love it!
Thank you for showing such a nice style!!
Gabriele

[Fabulox]

WOW, this tutorial was fantastic, I have successfully completed my first ever bag, thank you very much. I used 10"x10" moda layer cake squares since those were my prettiest prints on hand so now I have a mini-tote-bag worthy of giving as a valentine to my MIL. hooray and thank you again!

I too discovered you thanks to Shivaya Naturals

[larissa]

Fabulox, thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad i inspired you to create. Have a wonderful day!

[r4 sdhc]

Amazing pictures! So creative art. You made a nice bag. I appreciate your hard work.
Thanks for this tutorial.

[Bec R]

Fantastic tutorial, thank you so much! I have made 2 of these bags for gifts and I love them!

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[Bev]

Finally a simple tutorial for what had seemed an unsurmountable task. Thank you!

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Wow, that's a really cevler way of thinking about it!

[Veanna]

There is a critical shortgae of informative articles like this.

[Jaylen]

Now I feel stupid. That's cleraed it up for me

[Christine]

Love it...I am planning on using Home Decor fabric to make a tote bag, but need to know what kind of needle to use for the sewing machine. The ones I have might not be strong for the home decor fabric. Any suggestions? Thank you!

[nicole]

Im a tad confused I tried this and my straps were stuck on the inside, any advice?

[susanne]

I used regular home decor fabric (not the heavy upholstery type) and it was fine on my old singer machine.

[susanne]

@ nicole- Did you put your straps BETWEEN the lining and outside layers?

[Sue Brooks]

Made a few of these as Christmas presents for friends. Easy and look fab. Thanks!

[Rachel]

Thank you for this clear and fun tutorial! Great pictures and directions.

[mommy1]

Just made your tote...EXCELLENT tutorial! Your pictures and instructions are great. I am so happy with the results! Thank you!

[Nicolle]

Great tutorial. I made the bag a little larger and sewed the exterior and lining as sep. pieces. I sewed them together with a double line of top stitching so the bag is reversible. My daughter loves it!