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Reversible Jumbo Tote Bag

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With global warming getting worse nowadays, major departmental and grocery stores responded to the government’s campaign on “Reuse, Reduce and Recycle”, they no longer give out free grocery bags for purchase. We either have to bring our own bag or donate a small charge to get the plastic grocery bag. A Reversible Jumbo Tote Bag is indeed one of the bags I need to bring along when I do shopping.

reversible jumbo tote pattern

This jumbo reversible tote bag not only has 2 different designs for you to choose from, but it also has 2 sets of handles, long handles for the shoulder and short handles for the hand. Now, you can choose how you want to style the bag, a black & white or a colorful “face bag”, on the shoulder or on hand. When not in use, you may roll it up and keep it inside your handbag or any convenient place for you to grab and go….. go shopping!!!!

jumbo tote pattern

This August is Ikea’s textile month. There are many great ways to restyle your home with the range of fabulous textiles available at Ikea. Love it, I always love Ikea’s fabrics!

Oh, by the way….. I forgot to mention that from now till 26 August, IKEA Damansara is having 15% off on all sewing services with the purchase of IKEA fabric! Check out your local Ikea store to see what other offers they have from time to time. I will be renovating my new condominium soon, I am planning for a few trips down to Ikea to get some furniture, more fabrics, and decors too. How I wish that I stay next to Ikea… lol

[Find your nearest Ikea store, here.]

Ikea Fabric Reversible Jumbo Tote Bag

Click the link for more free bag and purse patterns.

Reversible Oversized Tote Bag Sewing Pattern

Reversible Oversized Tote Bag Sewing Pattern

Yield: 22 1/2″ (W) x 17″ (H) x 6 1/4″ (D) REVERSIBLE JUMBO TOTE BAG (without handle)
Active Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate /Advance Level
Estimated Cost: $15 - $20

This jumbo reversible tote bag not only has 2 different designs for you to choose from, but it also has 2 sets of handles: long handles for the shoulder and short handles for the hand. Now, you can choose how you want to style the bag, a black & white or a colorful “face bag”, on the shoulder or on hand. When not in use, you may roll it up and keep it inside your handbag or any convenient place for you to grab and go….. go shopping!!!!

Enjoy sewing them!

Download and print the SEWING PATTERN TEMPLATE separately.

Materials

  • Fabric – Ikea GULLVI, wide 1.5m / 60″, cut length 1 meter or 40″
  • Fabric – Ikea TRÅDKLÖVER, wide 1.5m / 60″, cut length 1 meter or 40″
  • Cotton cord, 16″ x 2
  • End bead, 15mm x 2

Tools

  • Sewing machine
  • Sewing kits
  • Fabric chalk
  • Long ruler or quilter’s ruler
  • Scissors
  • Tube turner

Instructions

Ikea’s Upholstery fabric, GULLVI (top) and TRÅDKLÖVER (bottom). This fabrics are 60″ wide selvage to selvage, cut 1 meter or 40″ length for each fabric.jumbo tote materials

  1. Download the pdf pattern and print it out if you wish. {If you can’t download the pdf pattern, probably you don’t have acrobat reader, download the latest version for free here.}
    Follow the cutting format from the pattern to get the sewing pieces. I drew mine directly on the wrong side of the fabric.
    As you can see, the pattern utilized almost the whole piece of 1-meter fabric, not much scrap left after the cutting.
    You can make 2 reversible jumbo totes from the fabrics above.reversible jumbo tote bag
  2. Take half of the sewing pieces to make a tote.
    1 & 2, the body – 45 3/4″ x 18 3/4″, 2 pcs.
    3 & 4, the base, 17″ x 7″, 2 pcs.
    5, short handle, 1 3/4″ x 12 3/4″, 4 pcs.
    6, Long handle, 1 3/4″ x 27 3/4″, 4 pcs.reversible jumbo tote bag
  3. Fold the tote body with right side facing each other, align the side seam and sew with 3/8″ seam allowance.
    Press the seam allowance to one side and topstitch 1/8″ from the seam line.
    Repeat the same to another tote body.sew side seam
  4. Mark the base position on the bottom seam allowance of the tote body, snip 1/4″ out of the total seam allowance of 3/8″. This little snips will make the corners a nice right-angle turn.reversible jumbo tote bag
  5. Pin the base to the bottom of the tote body, sew on the long seams on both sides.reversible jumbo tote bag
  6. Pin and sew the short sides to complete the base.reversible jumbo tote bag
  7. 1. Clip the corners diagonally.
    2. Fold the seam allowances at the right angle at the corner (on the base side), pin securely from the right side. Repeat at all 4 corners.
    3. Turn and stitch the base. Check the folding when you are about to reach the corner to make sure the seam allowances still folded neatly.
    4. The view on the base after completing the topstitching. This will make the tote more endurable for heavy items.reversible jumbo tote bag
  8. Repeat the sewing processes on the other fabric. Set aside.reversible jumbo tote bag
  9. Place the pairing handle pieces right side together and sew the long seams with 1/4″ seam allowance. Turn, press and topstitch 1/8″ from the edge.
    Repeat the process to make 2 short and 2 long handles.
    Prepare the cord by inserting it through the end bead then tie a dot at the end. Lightly burn the raw ends to stop the raveling if needed.reversible jumbo tote bag
  10. Mark the handle positions at 7 1/2″ apart at the center of the tote. The cotton cord is at the center.
    Stitch them in place at the seam allowance, repeat the same to the other side. Do this on 1 tote body.
    Note that the top seam allowance of the bag is 1 3/8″. This thick seam allowance will help to make the top edge of the tote firmer.reversible jumbo tote bag
  11. Insert the tote’s body into another tote body, with right side facing each other.reversible jumbo tote bag
  12. Align, pin and sew the top seam line, leaving a 5″ opening for turning right side out.reversible jumbo tote bag
  13. Turn the tote right side out from the opening.reversible jumbo tote bag
  14. Press the seam and topstitch, 1/8″, 1 1/8″ & 1 3/8″ from the edge to complete the reversible jumbo tote bag.
    You can choose to use either side depending on the mood of the day.reversible jumbo tote bag

    What’s your choice? The Modern Chic “Face Bag”?reversible jumbo tote bag

    Or………. the black & white Blowing Globules?reversible jumbo tote bag

How to fold the Jumbo Tote Bag

Place the bag flat on the floor or table. Put the long handles on the bag.reversible jumbo tote bag

Fold both sides to the center.reversible jumbo tote bag

Roll the bag from bottom to top.reversible jumbo tote bag

Cross the cotton cords on the top with 1 cord to the back and 1 cord to the front.reversible jumbo tote bag

Make a tie on the cotton cords, that’s it!
Put it in your handbag or car’s drawer, it will be handy when you need to do shopping.reversible jumbo tote bag

Hope you like it!!!reversible jumbo tote bag

reversible jumbo tote bag

Notes

Get the full article at https://www.craftpassion.com/reversible-jumbo-tote-bag/

Did you make this project?

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fiki

Friday 6th of December 2013

really love this one :)

charuka

Saturday 19th of October 2013

coool work.. ....really inspiring teens

Mei

Wednesday 11th of September 2013

Hi Joanne,

Is this bag for sale? I would like to get one for grocery use.

thank you for sharing!

Craft Passion

Wednesday 11th of September 2013

Sorry, Mei, it is not for sale. The purpose is being that I would love you to sew one with this pattern and tutorial :)

Tamara

Thursday 7th of February 2013

I've had this tutorial bookmarked forever and finally the mountain of plastic/paper bags under my sink has put a fire under me to make a few of these!

roanne

Thursday 6th of December 2012

I will make lots of these for my girlfriends this xmas. Nice one Joanne!

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