How to Make a Market Tote Bag With an Adorable Embroidered Design
If you’re into DIY sewing projects and saving the planet, then this is a must-see! I’ll show you how to make a market tote bag, so you don't have to keep on purchasing plastic bags when going shopping.
If you’re wondering how to make a simple canvas tote bag that is easy and beginner-friendly, then I’ve got you covered! Let’s do our part in being sustainable by making a few simple changes to how we shop. Let’s get started!
Tools and materials:
- Natural cotton canvas
- Heavyweight cotton webbing
- Scissors
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Embroidery materials and kit
- Pins
1. Measure and cut
Go ahead and lay out your fabric on a flat surface. If your cat decides to take over, that’s okay; just use the other side of the fabric. Next, measure 17 x 18 inches; you should have a long rectangle.
Then, cut out the shape, and yes, be careful of your cat’s paws.
2. Sew the raw edge
Go ahead and fold the top raw edges down (on the inside of the bag) and sew. Remember, the fold of the bag is the bottom part.
3. Sew on the straps
You may be wondering how to make straps for a tote bag, but I went the easy route and bought heavy-weight cotton webbing as straps. It works better than DIY straps and will definitely be able to carry bulkier items with ease.
Measure out a length that works well for you, then lay it on the tote bag, as pictured above.
Then, pin the short ends. Make sure you pin through the top layer and not both layers. Also, ensure the straps are centered and even.
Open the tote bag to ensure that you only sew on one layer of the fabric. Then, go ahead and sew the straps on both sides of the straps.
Then, repeat for the other side. Make sure the straps on both sides mirror each other.
4. Sew the side seams
Now, fold your bag so that the fabric is right sides touching, and then sew along the side seams.
Snip the corners afterward.
And, here’s your cute tote bag!
5. Add embroidery
You can stop here if you want a simple tote bag, or you can add some lovely embroidery to make it fun and unique. This step is totally optional, but I do have to say, it’s the fun part! Decide on a fun design that you want and then, place your hoop accordingly.
I couldn't get my hoop on since the straps were way too thick, so I decided to free-hand it. If you run into the same problem, then just do what I do!
Print the design you like and poke little holes in it with an embroidery needle so you can give yourself a template to follow when you draw it on the fabric.
Use a pen to mark the dots of the design.
Pull the embroidery thread apart, so you have three strings and not 6. Then, simply feed it through your needle and tie a knot at the end.
Now, start from the inside out and follow the dots.
For this design, I did a split stitch. You can see how to do it above.
Fill the gaps where needed. Here, I’m filling the body of the spider.
How to make a market tote bag tutorial
Yes! We’re done. I am super chuffed with this sustainable tote bag. So, it’s pretty simple to make a canvas shopping bag. The best part is, you get to customize it with your own embroidered design.
Thanks for joining me for this tutorial on how to make a simple tote bag. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have.
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you can keep the strap one continuous piece. it can lay on the bag like the picture.
maybe add a patch pocket between the straps.
Yes...a cat is a good fabric weight. sometimes they don't want to move off when your finish cutting. :-)