How to Sew a Panel Tote Bag
I love a good tote bag for carrying a beach towel, picnic quilt, or heck, just a book or two and all the things my kids seem to need! This tote bag is made from a panel, making it even easier to whip up for yourself or a friend.
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A large but not too large tote bag is a treasure for carrying picnic supplies, a craft project, or all the stuff kids seem to need for an outing. If you’ve been looking for a fun project that can give you a bit of bag making practice without being too complicated, you’re going to LOVE this. Pro tip: This makes a cute gift and could also hold a little zippy pouch filled with treasures such as earrings, lip gloss, and lotion for a friend or your favorite notions for a fellow quilter!
Supplies
Before we begin, let’s gather our supplies. Clean and oil, and put in a fresh 14 Universal needle. Also gather:
1/4 yard coordinating solid fabric for straps
3/4 yard medium weight fusible interfacing
Coordinating thread (I used Aurifil 50wt, but 28 wt or 40 wt would also make the top stitching look nice)
1/4 inch foot
Rotary mat, cutter, and ruler
Optional: Carolina Moore’s Boxed Bag Template (available here)
Nearly all of these supplies are available in the String & Story Shop
Make the Bag
Trim the panel free of all extra white fabric and the selvage, then cut down the center into two (2) rectangles, each with two (2) star blocks
Take one rectangle and fuse the medium weight interfacing to the WRONG side of the fabric, following the interfacing directions, and trim away any extra interfacing
Fold the interfaced rectangle (bag exterior) in half right sides together, and sew up the sides, so three sides are closed and only the top is open. Match the side star points when pinning for a polished final appearance
Repeat with the unlined rectangle (bag interior/ lining)
Box the Bottom
Next, lay the bag interior and exterior WRONG SIDES OUT side by side on a flat surface
If using a regular ruler, mark a 2” square in the bottom corners of each bag piece (the folded edge), then cut out with scissors. If using the Boxed Bag Template, use the square cutout to cut the 2” square away with a rotary cutter
Then, at each corner, fold across each cut square so the seams “kiss” as shown. Sew 1/4 across this edge, then repeat for each corner
Use scissors to cut a 4-5” slit in the very bottom of the lining piece. We will turn the bag through this slit later
Turn bag exterior RIGHT side out
Make the Straps
From the quarter yard of fabric, cut two (2) 4.5 x 25 inch strips (longer if desired)
Press one strap in half long ways, then open back up
Press each edge into the crease at the center of the strap, then fold again along the original crease (strap should be about 1.25 inches x 25 inches now with all long raw edges enclosed)
Top stitch 1/8” down each long side of the strap
Repeat with the other strap
Bag Assembly
Take one strap and pin it to the bag exterior. The raw edges should line up along the top of the bag body, and the strap should hang down toward the bottom of the bag. Line up the outer sides of the strap 4” from the side seam of the bag
Baste strap ends in place with a 1/8” seam allowance
Repeat with the other side of the bag and other strap
Tuck bag exterior inside the bag interior so the RIGHT sides are FACING each other. Make sure the straps are tucked down in the bag
Sew 1/4” all the way around the top edge of the bag, securing the exterior and interior together. Back stitch at the beginning and end
Turn entire bag through the slit at the bottom of the lining. Before tucking the lining down into the tote, turn the raw edges inward, and sew up the hole
Tuck the lining into the tote, press it away from the edge, then carefully top stitch 1/8” all the way around the top of the bag
Voila! A lovely beach/ park/ out and about tote!
