To prepare the back fabric, cut a 16 inch wide by 18 1/2 inch high piece of print quilted cotton. Measure and mark the center of the top edge of the fabric by measuring and dividing by two. Then, measure and mark the center of the bottom edge (straight edge) of the flap piece by measuring and dividing by two. Align the center points together, with the right sides of the fabric facing, pin in place, and sew a 1/4 inch seam along the pinned edge only. Lay the flap and back pieces flat and press the seam.
 

Align the front panel with the back panel with right sides facing and pin in place. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the sides and bottom edges only.

Next we will square off the bottom of the fabric. Align the bottom and sides seams together, pin in place, and measure in 4 inches starting at the outer point. At the mark you just made, draw a line perpendicular to the seam.

Trim off the corner leaving about 1/2 inch excess fabric at the seam.

To prepare the fabric for the inner lining, cut two 16 inch wide by 18 1/2 inch high pieces of quilted cotton for the front and back. 

Also, prepare a flap piece just as you did before. Add the flap piece to the top of the back piece just as you did earlier.

To prepare the inner pocket, cut a 6 inch by 6 inch piece of fabric and wrap bias tape around the top edge. Pin the tape in place and sew a seam along the inner edge of the tape.

Position the pocket along the inner side of the front fabric piece, about 5 inches from the top edge of the fabric. Center the pocket side to side with the outer edges by measuring equal distances between the sides of the pocket and the outer edges of the fabric. Wrap bias tape around the side and bottom edges of the pocket and sew the pocket in place by sewing a seam along the inner edges of the tape.

Assemble the inner lining just as you did the outer shell portion.
 

To prepare the padding for the shoulder strap, cut a piece of fabric 3 1/2 inches wide by 8 inches high. Fold the short ends over 1/2 inch to the wrong side, press, and sew a 1/4 inch seam along each short end. Fold the long side edges over 1/2 inch to the wrong side and press.

Cut a 40 inch length of 1 inch wide strapping. Measure and mark the center of the strap by measuring and dividing by two. Measure and mark the center of the padding piece by measuring and dividing by two. Tuck the strap in between the layers of the padding piece, fold the padding piece over the strap, pin in place, and sew a 1/4 inch seam along each long side of the padding.

Insert the outer shell inside the inner lining with right sides together. Align the ends of the strap with the side seams of the outer shell and pin in place -- leave about 1/4 inch of the strap extending past the top edge of the fabric. Tuck the strap in between outer shell and the inner lining.

Align the seams and the raw edges and pin in place. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the top edge of the fabric -- leave the entire outer edges of the flap open for turning. Then, turn the fabric right side out and insert the inner lining inside the outer shell. Align the flaps together, pin in place, and sew a 1/4 inch seam along the entire outer edges of the flap. Top stitch a 1/4 inch seam along the entire top edge of the tote.

To add the bias tape to the flap, lay the flap flat with the inner side facing up. Fold the bias tape over 1/4 inch to the wrong side and press. Unfold the tape and align the outer edges of the tape with the outer edges of the flap and pin in place. Sew a seam right along the outer most fold in the tape.

Fold the tape up over the edges of the flap, pin in place, and sew a seam along the inner edge of the tape.

Sew a button hole in the center bottom of the flap (about 1/2 inch from the bottom edge of the fabric, above the bias tape).

Flip the flap over to the front of the tote, mark the center of the button hole on the fabric, and sew a button at the mark.

Your tote bag is now complete!

Take your creativity even further by stitching a coordinating Bible cover. Click here for free project instructions.