How to sew a tote bag

Creating a lined reusable bag with handles is a great sewing project for beginners and experienced sewers alike. Here is a step-by-step tutorial to guide you through making your own lined reusable bag:

## Materials Needed

- Main fabric: 0.5 m (cotton, canvas, or any sturdy fabric)

- Lining fabric: 0.5 m (cotton or other lightweight fabric)

- Fabric for handles: 0.25 m (can be the same as the main fabric or contrasting)

- Matching thread

- Scissors

- Pins

- Sewing machine

- Iron

## Instructions

### 1. Cut the fabric

- **Main fabric**: Cut two rectangles, 40 cm wide by 45 cm long.

- **Lining**: Cut two rectangles, 40 cm wide by 45 cm long.

- **Handles**: Cut two strips, 10 cm wide by 60 cm long.

### 2. Prepare the handles

1. Fold each handle strip in half lengthwise, right sides together, and press to mark the fold.

2. Open the strip and fold each long edge towards the center fold, and press.

3. Fold the strip again along the center fold, enclosing the raw edges inside, and press.

4. Pin and sew along the long edges of each handle with a straight stitch about 0.5 cm from the edge.

### 3. Assemble the main bag

1. Place the two main fabric pieces right sides together.

2. Pin the sides and the bottom edges.

3. Sew the sides and bottom with a 1 cm seam allowance.

4. To give the bag depth, create box corners by pinching the bottom corners and sewing across 5 cm from the corner. Trim the excess fabric.

### 4. Assemble the lining

1. Repeat the assembly steps for the lining pieces, but leave a 10 cm opening at the center of the bottom edge for turning the bag later.

### 5. Attach the handles to the main bag

1. Measure and mark 10 cm from each top edge of the main bag.

2. Place one end of each handle at these marks, ensuring they are aligned downward, and pin in place.

3. Sew each handle with a square stitch to secure them.

### 6. Assemble the bag and lining

1. Insert the main bag into the lining, right sides together, aligning the top edges.

2. Pin the top edges together and sew all around with a 1 cm seam allowance.

3. Turn the bag right side out through the opening left in the lining.

4. Sew the opening in the lining by hand or machine with a discreet stitch.

5. Insert the lining into the main bag and press the top edges for a neat finish.

6. Topstitch around the top edge about 0.5 cm from the edge to hold the lining in place.

### 7. Finishing

- Press the bag to ensure it is flat and ready for use.

Your lined reusable bag with handles is now complete! You can use it for shopping, books, or as a tote bag for various occasions.