How to Sew a Tote Bag for Beginners

Let me show you how to make a fully-lined tote bag without using a pattern!

This is the perfect DIY project for beginner sewers and the beauty of making your own tote bag is that you can customize it and even gift them to your friends.

I’m using regular, cotton fabric for this tote bag DIY and some interfacing.

1. Measure and cut the main fabric pieces

First, cut 2, 16” x 14” pieces of your exterior fabric.

Repeat that with your interior fabric, using the cut, exterior fabric as a guide.

2. Mark and cut 2” squares

With your layers stacked, mark and cut out 2” squares from what will be the bottom of your bag.

I do this with the layers stacked so that I can cut evenly through both the interior and exterior fabrics simultaneously.

Here’s the result:

3. Sew the side and bottom seams of your exterior fabric

Place your exterior fabric right sides together and use clips or pins to hold them in place.

Then use your sewing machine to sew the side and bottom seams–just make sure to leave out the corners for now.

4. Mark a 4” opening in the lining and sew the side and bottom seams

Mark a 4” opening at the bottom, center of your interior, lining pieces.

Then sew the side and bottom seams of this lining material, leaving out the squares (like in the previous step) as well as the 4” gap.

5. Box the corners

For a sharp finish, box the bottom corners. To do this, grab the exterior fabric and pull those squares until they match up with the opposite sides.

Then sew across with a ½” seam allowance.

Repeat for the lining material.

6. Iron the seams

After sewing, flip the exterior fabric right-side-out. Then iron those seams flat on an ironing board. This is crucial to making your bag look more professional.

7. Cut the tote straps

Cut 2 pieces of the exterior fabric that are 4” x 24”.

8. Prep the straps

Fold the straps in half, “hot dog style” and iron them flat.

Next, open up the straps and fold in the sides toward the center of the strap and iron them down.

Then fold it in half one more time and iron the thin strap.

9. Sew the straps

Do a top stitch around the entire perimeter of your straps.

10. Attach straps

Measure and clip the straps about 3” from the outside of the exterior fabric body. Then do a basic stitch to attach them.

11. Attach the lining

Make sure the lining is wrong-side-out. Then stuff the exterior piece inside of the lining and clip the tops together.

Sew around the perimeter of the top of the bag to attach the lining.

12. Turn the bag right-side-out

Pull the exterior fabric out through the 4” gap that we left in the lining.

13. Iron the top and sew closed the 4” gap

Once the bag is right-side-out, iron the connection between the exterior fabric and the lining so it lays flat. Then sew closed the 4” gap in the lining.

14. Sew a topstitch on the perimeter of the opening

Stuff the lining back into the bag.

Then sew a topstitch along the perimeter of the opening of the bag.

This topstitch should be very close to the edge of the bag.

All that’s left to do is enjoy your completed, DIY tote bag!

How to sew a tote bag: DIY tote bag

This DIY tote bag tutorial is the perfect project if you’re a beginner or you just want to make something personal without a hassle. Next up, make this easy DIY makeup bag with me!

And, for even more sewing content, follow me on TikTok: @kenjahb