Having a reversible tote bag is like having 2 bags in one, now with the adjustable strap, you can have even more styling with it. Be it full length till your hip and sling across your chest, or shorten it till just below your armpit, inside out or outside in, style it with your mood and base on your outfit.
I made this bag with one of my favorite fabrics. It is actually a lightweight upholstery material normally use as curtain or drape. The silver flower printing caught my eyes and I can’t go home without taking a few yards with me.
For all my favorite fabrics, I will make sure I sew something good out of them. This explained why I constantly crave on fabrics, buy them and keep them until I am convinced enough to sew a good project. For this fabric, not only that I am 100% satisfied with my reversible tote design but I also feel happy that I got them sold for a good cause.
Let’s get to the tutorial and pattern on how to sew this reversible tote bag with the adjustable strap after this jump…
REVERSIBLE TOTE SEWING PATTERN
Having a reversible tote bag is like having 2 bags in one, now with the adjustable strap, you can have even more styles with it. Be it full length till your hip and sling across your chest, or shorten it till just below your armpit, inside out or outside in, style it with your mood and base on your outfit.
Enjoy sewing them!
Download and print separately SEWING PATTERN for drawing the fabric.
Materials
- Main Fabric – 1 yard
- Lining Fabric – 1 yard
- Fusible Interfacing (medium weight) – 1 yard
- Square ring – 2 pcs.
- Matching color sewing thread
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Hot iron
- Paper, pen & ruler
- Scissors
- Sewing kits
- Carbon and tracing wheel
Instructions
MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO SEW
REVERSIBLE TOTE BAG
PREPARATION
Download the pdf pattern. The pattern is scaled to 25%, blow it up to 4 times to enlarge it. Otherwise, you can draw it out on the paper, all dimensions are included. Cut out paper patterns from the drawing.
DRAW, CUT & SEW
Fold the fabric as indicate in the drawing, place and pin the tote pattern on top of the fabric. Make sure the folding is on the right-hand side of the pattern. Cut fabric with 1/2″ seam allowance and all patterns according to the drawing, including the lining and fusible interfacing. You might need to patch up the sling strap in order to get the required length. Mark sewing lines with carbon and tracing wheel.
With right-side facing each other, align sewing lines, pin, sew side and base of the tote.
Press open side and bottom seams, fold at the corner to form a triangle and sew the 2″ depth of the base. Trim excess fabric and leave only 1/2″ seam allowance.
Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the lining fabrics, the pockets and the stand-alone ring holder. With right-side facing, sew around the pocket, leaving about 1″ opening at the bottom of the pocket. Clip corners. Turn the pocket right-side out, adjust corners and press. Topstitch top hem about 1/8″ and 1/2″ from the edge. Place the pocket onto the lining and top-stitch the sides and bottom edges. Fold the lining with right-side facing each other, sew the side and bottom seam. Leave about 3-4″ opening at the bottom, we need this hole to turn the tote inside out later.
Make a snip on the seam allowance 1″ below seam (b). Remark: I reserved 1″ seam allowance for (b), but I trimmed it to about 1/2″ later.
Fold in the side seam and press. Topstitch near side edges (a).
Slot in the square ring either on tote side of lining side, with right side facing, sew alone seam (b).
Bring the holder down with the wrong side facing each other, topstitch (c) around 3/4″ below (b). Remember to tack the thread at the beginning and end of the stitching by performing a few back stitches to keep the seam from unraveling.
Repeat the same to the other side of the ring holder which is not attached to the tote.
Again, topstitch at (c), about 3/4″ below seam (b). Note that I left a larger seam allowance at the bottom but 1/2″ is sufficient.
With right-side facing each other, slot the tote into the lining. Keep the ring and holder facing down. Place the detached ring holder upside down between the tote and the lining, pin in place. Sew along the curve (red line), around.
Clip curve about 1/2″ apart. Be careful, don’t snip the sewing thread.
Turn the tote right-side-out from the opening at the bottom of the lining.
Align the base corners of the tote and lining, carefully bring them out from the opening and sew on the wrong side to hold them together. Next, insert them back through the opening and slip stitch to close the opening. Topstitch about 1/4″ from the edge of the top hem of the tote.
Sew the sling strap by placing 2 fabrics right side facing each other, sew around and leave a 2″ opening at the center. Turn the strap right side out, Slip stitch to close the opening. Topstitch near the edge, around the straps.
Insert the strap into the square ring and tie a knot at each corner.
If you want a shorter length, double fold the strap through one ring and tie on the other.
Adjust to your favorite length.
BuzzOye
Thursday 14th of July 2016
I like making my own tote bags because the color, design and specifically the size is totally up to me. nice sharing great work
Diane Sadler
Tuesday 20th of August 2013
I've made 2 of these bags and about to make my 3rd one - my girls absolutely love them!! Thank you!!
Craft Passion
Tuesday 20th of August 2013
That's so lovely!!! Thanks for sharing this news with us!!!
Carol
Tuesday 11th of June 2013
Hi,
Just found your site. I really like this bag pattern especially like the strap. I own a small home sewing business. I have an etsy shop and do craft shows. Do you allow your patterns to be used to make and sell items? I would not sell the pattern just the finished product. I did not see a place to open the FAQ.
Thanks,
Carol
Pinar
Tuesday 9th of April 2013
Hello, I love this a lot and I have decided this as my first sewing project. I cut my fabric but I've also cut the part on the bottom 2" at the both sides. I guess I shouldn't have done so. Now I am stuck. Is there a video how to make this kind of bottom?
Pinar
Tuesday 9th of April 2013
Oh, the bottom sewing seems to have been explained here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLD4AoTV4eg
Tami
Thursday 25th of October 2012
Help!!!!
I found this purse on pinterest and fell in love - it is the only one I've ever cared to make but I'm stuck! I do not understand the steps starting at 5 where the ring holder begins. I have invested a lot of time and really need detailed help.. Is that something you would be willing to do. I quilt & sew lots of other things, but never utilizing hardware.
Hopeful!!!
Craft Passion
Thursday 25th of October 2012
It is not difficult, all you need to do after folding in the edges of the 2 fabric handle, put in the hardware then sew the seam to join the 2 fabrics up and seam b. Hope this help to clear up your question marks :)