Embroidery Library - Machine Embroidery Designs Inspired Project Page

Traditional Tote Bag

Style, functionality, and classic lines -- they're in the bag! With this basic and versatile tote, you'll be ready at a moment's notice to carry what you need to head to the library, the beach, the grocery store, or the gym.

Add a beautiful embroidery design of your choice, and your tote becomes a personal and unique item as well. No one will grab your bag by mistake!

Read on for project instructions for creating your own traditional and timeless tote bag.

Deb looks wise holding her classic tote.

Supplies Needed:

**Twill, denim, lightweight canvas, or canvas (I used twill. See sizes below for yardage)

**Medium weight cutaway stabilizer

**Temporary spray adhesive

**Air-erase pen or other marking tool

Special Project Notes:

For this traditional tote bag project, I used the Groovy Owl 3 design from the Owl Be Groovin' Design Pack. Designs from the What a Hoot Design Pack and from the Retro Owl Design Pack would also look great on the tote.

Finished sizes for three sizes of tote:
Before you start, choose a size: large, medium, or small. I am constructing the medium size.

Large finished size: 13 1/4" wide by 18 1/2" high by 11 1/4" deep (1 yard fabric)
Medium finished size: 10" wide by 14" high by 8 1/2" deep (3/4 yard fabric)
Small finished size: 6 3/4 " wide by 9 1/2" high by 5 3/4" deep (5/8 yard fabric)

First, prepare the fabric for the main section of the bag. With the fabric folded, cut the fabric to the following dimensions (keep the fold at the bottom of the fabric):

a. Large size - 26 1/2" wide by 26 1/2" high

b. Medium size - 20" wide by 20" high

c. Small size - 13 1/2" wide by 13 1/2" high

Draw rectangles at each corner of the bottom folded edge of the fabric using these dimensions:

a. Large size - 6 1/4" wide by 4 5/8" high

b. Medium size - 4 3/4" wide by 3 1/2" high

c. Small size - 3 1/4" wide by 2 3/8" high

Measure and mark the width along the bottom fold starting at the bottom corners, then measure and mark the height along the side edge.

Measure and mark the height again up from the marks on the bottom fold. Draw lines connecting the marks and cut out the shapes, cutting through both layers of fabric.

Using an air-erase pen or other marking tool, draw a line connecting the top edges of the rectangle cut-outs. Draw lines from the inner side edges of the cut-outs up to the top edge of the fabric.

Measure and mark down one inch starting at the top edge of the fabric along the vertical lines you just drew. Draw a line connecting the marks. The fabric will be folded along these lines later on; the area inside the lines is the embroidered area.

Measure and mark the center of each line (the lines you just drew) by measuring and dividing by two. Draw lines connecting the marks. Where the lines meet is the exact center of the embroidered area.

Create a paper template of the design by printing it at full size using embroidery software. Poke a hole in the center of the template and align it with the center mark on the square. Make sure there is at least one inch of space between the edges of the design and the edges of the embroidered area.

Remove the template and unfold the fabric. Spray a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive. Smooth the fabric on top and hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric.

Load the design and attach the hoop to the machine. Move the hoop so that the needle is directly over the center point on the fabric. Embroider the design.

When the design has finished, trim away the excess stabilizer on the backside of the embroidery leaving about 1/2" behind around the edges of the design.

Fold the fabric together, right sides together, by aligning the front (embroidered side) with the back. Pin in place along the sides and sew a 1/2" seam along the pinned sides only. Do not sew into the cut-out areas.

Lay the seam allowances flat and zigzag stitch along the raw edges. Or, if you have a serger, serge along the edges of the seams. This prevents the seams from unraveling.

To create the bottom of the tote, align the side seams with the bottom folds at each of the cut-outs, right sides together. Pin in place and sew a 1/2" seam along the pinned edges. Finish off the seam allowances as you did before.

Turn the tote right side out and fold the top edge of the tote over 1/2" to the wrong side and press. Fold the top edge over another 1/2" and press. Sew a 3/8" seam along the top edge around the entire top edge of the bag.

To prepare the handles, cut two pieces of fabric to 5" wide by 20" high (for shoulder straps instead of handles, cut two pieces of fabric to 5" wide by 40" high).

Fold the short ends over 1/2" to the wrong side and press. Fold the long side edges in 1/2" and press.

Fold the fabric widthwise bringing the long folded side edges together and press. Pin in place and sew a 1/4" seam along the entire outer edges of the handles.

To attach the handles, first lay the tote flat with the front side (embroidered side) facing up. Take one of the handle fabric pieces and place the ends along the top edge of the tote with the side edges of the handle aligned with the lines of the embroidered area (inside the area). Extend the ends of the handle onto the top edge of the tote by 1 1/2".

Pin in place and sew a 1/4" box around the ends of the handle finished with an "x" shape inside.

Lay the tote flat and align the top edges of the tote together. Pin the remaining handle piece in place along the top edge of the back of the tote using the front handle as a guide. Sew the handle in place just as you did earlier.

With sturdy handles and a deep design, this tote bag is perfect for carrying books, clothes, groceries, and more! And with lovely embroidery and fabric, it becomes a unique part of your style, as well.

Stitch one today for yourself, and one for a friend!

Click here for a printable version of these project instructions.