How to Make a Tote Bag

Edited by Lois Wade, Sondra C, D rae, Krystle and 36 others

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Do you need a tote bag, or know someone who'd love it as a gift? Are you bored with the selections in the stores? Or perhaps just too frugal to pay twenty bucks for something you could make yourself? To make your own tote bag, follow these instructions.

Cut two rectangles of heavy fabric in the size you want your tote bag to be. Any old floral skirt, pair of denim jeans, or a patterned knit top will work as long as the fabric is strong enough to take it. Note that heavy fabrics (ex. jeans) will require stronger needles and/or a heavier-duty sewing machine. If your fabric already has hems, try to position them at the top so that you don’t have to sew unnecessarily. For a few example sizes, use:

• 12 x 14 inches for a very small tote

• 14 x 16 inches for a medium tote

• 24 x 20 inches for a beach tote