How to Sew a Cute and Minimal Tote Bag
This minimal tote bag looks amazing in a hessian sackcloth fabric. It has an inside pocket and is easy to put together.
Use fabric clips if you have them rather than pins, and swap your regular needle for a canvas or leather one.
Tools and materials:
- Hessian sackcloth
- Cotton fabric
- 3/8” (1 cm) swivel hook
- 3/8” (1 cm) D ring
- 3/8” (1 cm) wide woven cotton tape
- Magnetic closure
- Hand sewing needle and thread
- Fabric clips
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Measuring tape
- Iron
- Sewing machine
1. Cut out the flap
Cut two pieces of hessian 7 7/8" by 4 3/4" (20 by 12 cm) and place them together.
Use the rim of a glass to draw a curve on two of the corners and cut the curves out.
Sew the two pieces together along the side and lower edges with the right sides facing, taking a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance.
Snip the curves, turn the flap right side out and press it well.
Topstitch around the side and lower edges.
2. Make the handle
Cut a strip of hessian 9 1/2" by 3 1/2" (24 by 9 cm).
With the wrong side inside, press the long edges to meet in the center.
Fold the strip in half again and sew the two long edges.
3. Attach the handle and flap
Cut the main bag piece from the hessian, 22" by 13 3/8" (56 by 34 cm).
With the right side uppermost, find the center of one of the shorter sides.
Clip the ends of the handle 1 1/8” (3 cm) either side of the center mark.
Place the flap centrally over the handle and sew in place across the open ends of the flap.
4. Attach the inside pocket
Cut a piece of lining fabric 12 5/8" by 7 7/8" (32 x 20 cm).
Fold it in half widthways with the right side inside.
Sew the open edges with a 3/8” (1 cm) seam, leaving a section unsewn on the bottom edge.
Snip the corners and turn the pocket right side out through the opening.
Turn the edges of the opening inwards.
Cut the main lining piece 22" by 13 3/8" (56 by 34 cm).
Pin the pocket centrally to the right side, 2” (5 cm) from one of the shorter edges.
Sew in place along three sides.
5. Inner closures
Cut two pieces of cotton tape, 1 1/2” (4 cm) long.
Thread one through the D ring and one through the swivel hook.
Pin and sew them to the lining on opposite sides, 1” (2.5 cm) from the top edge.
6. Join the outer bag and lining
Place the outer bag over the lining with the right sides facing.
Sew together along the two shorter edges, taking a 3/8” (1 cm) seam allowance.
Refold the bag and lining so the seams are in the center and match them carefully.
Sew them together along the two longer edges, leaving a small opening on one side of the lining.
Mark and cut out a rectangle 2 3/8” by 2 3/4” (6 by 7 cm) from each corner.
Bring the edges of each cut-out together diagonally and sew, taking a 3/8” (1 cm) allowance.
7. Finishing
Pull the bag through the opening in the lining.
Turn in the edges of the opening and sew it closed.
Tuck the lining inside the bag.
Finger press the top edge of the bag.
Topstitch around the top edge, excluding the section inside the handle loop.
Hand sew a magnetic closure on the inside of the flap and the outside of the bag.
Clip the swivel clip through the D ring to bring the sides of the bag together.
Fold it into shape and close the flap.
DIY minimal tote bag
This is such a cute DIY tote bag! You could make it in all kinds of fabric, as long as it’s firm enough to hold the shape. Or use a more lightweight fabric and back it with interfacing.
It’s a compact bag, just 8” by 7” by 5 1/2” (20 by 18 by 14 cm) when closed, but adds a really stylish touch to your outfit.
Please leave me a comment below and let me know what you think of my DIY tote bag designs.
Next, learn How to Sew a Hobo Bag That Will Look Great With Every Outfit.
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