Easy Upcycled Patchwork Tote Bag Tutorial

Tools and materials:

• Old pants & various fabrics
• Fusible interfacing
• Ruler
• Measuring tape
• Fabric marker
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

1. Patchwork

Cut your fabric into rectangles, 4.5 inches wide and 2.5 inches long. You will need 96 patchwork pieces in total.

Leave some stronger fabric uncut for the gusset and handles.

Arrange the fabric pieces diagonally.

Place one piece in the top left corner and add two pieces below it.

Join the short edges of the second row and top stitch the seam.

Sew one long edge of the first row centrally to the top long edge of the second row, and top stitch.

Continue in this way, increasing each row by one rectangle, until you have used 48 pieces.

Trim the edges to 18 inches wide by 16 inches long.

Make a second piece in the same way.

2. Interfacing

Cut two pieces of interfacing 16 inches by 18 inches. Iron them to the wrong side of your patchwork.

3. Make handles

Cut two pieces, each 4 inches by 24 inches, from strong plain fabric.

Iron interfacing to the wrong side of each piece.

Fold in half lengthways with the wrong sides together, and press.

Open out flat, turn both long edges to the center crease, and press.

Fold in half lengthways again and topstitch the long edges.

4. Attach the handles

With the right side of the patchwork facing, place pins 4 inches either side of the center on the longer side.

Pin the handle at the marks, with the raw edges extending 1 inch above the top of the bag. Sew in place.

Repeat for the second piece.

5. Gussets

Cut two pieces of fabric for the side gussets, each 16 inches wide by 4 inches long.

Cut one piece for the bottom gusset, 18 inches wide by 4 inches long.

Iron interfacing on to the wrong side of each piece.

Sew the side and bottom pieces to one of the patchwork pieces, with the right sides together.

Place the other patchwork piece on top, with the right sides together.

Join the gussets to the right side of the second piece.

Join the short edges of the bottom gusset to the side pieces.

Turn the bag right side out and push out the bottom corners.

6. Inside pocket

Cut a rectangle 9 inches wide by 16 inches long from a firm fabric.

Cut a second rectangle the same size from plain or patchwork fabric.

Sew the two pieces together with the right sides facing, leaving an opening in one long edge.

Snip the corners and turn the pocket right side out through the opening.

With the opening at the bottom, topstitch along the top edge.

7. Lining

Cut two rectangles 16 inches wide by 18 inches long from lining fabric.

Place the pocket centrally on the right side of one piece, 4 inches from the top edge.

Sew the pocket to the lining along the side and lower edges and up the center.

Make and attach side and bottom gussets to the lining as you did for the outer bag, leaving an opening in one of the bottom seams.

8. Attach lining

Place the bag inside the lining, with the right sides together.

Matching the side seams, sew together around the top edge.

Pull the bag through the opening in the lining and sew the opening closed.

Tuck the lining inside the bag and topstitch two rows around the top edge.

Upcycled tote bag

You can make so many variations of this patchwork tote, depending on the fabric scraps you have available.

I like to use jeans or cotton pants for the gussets and handles as they give extra structure and strength to the bag. You could also make a lightweight one out of summer fabrics.

Is this your first time working with patchwork? Do let me know how you get on.

Next, check out my post on How to Sew an Easy Twist Beanie Hat.