Make An All-In-One Gift and Tote Bag

Making a tote bag, then filling it with a special gift of home made treats, perfume, or other items is to give a double gift. As well, the pleasure of designing and creating a tote bag for your own use is a twofold reason to begin planning this project today!

Design a happy project and make a bag out of the extra fabric you have stored away:

• Use simple sewing techniques to make a tote bag that will replace a disposable gift bag.

• Create a pretty tote bag to do your shopping with.

• Mix and match bright fabric scraps to create a uniquely designed bag for someone special.

• Get pretty results by planning out your creation and piecing fabric to make the components that your bag requires.

Don't you think this all in one gift and tote bag is a great recipe for happiness?

This hub explains how I made my bag but the purpose of my posting this is to show you how to design your own tote bag to use as a gift bag. Do keep in mind that you can piece fabric together to make your own exclusive bag of any size.

Think through the patterns and solids that you have on hand, as well as the colors and textures. Decide what size you want to make, or perhaps can make is better phrasing since the amount of leftover fabric you have will help you determine the size of your bag. Then go to work following the basic instructions below.

As I mentioned, the amount of fabric scraps you have determines the size bag you can make. Select your fabrics and piece them together to make a rectangle. The rectangle shown in the photo is 12" by 22".

You will need one of these rectangles cut out of the bag's shell fabric and one cut out of the fabric you choose for the lining of the bag. I did not piece my lining fabric, but it would be fine to do so.

The handles for my bag were cut at 2" by 14". I used both the shell fabric and lining fabric to make these, but handles can be made in various ways. The photos have captions that I hope will be helpful.

These were sewn right sides together with a 1/4" seam, leaving the ends open. Pulling one end through I then pressed the seams flat, putting the seams in the middle and pressing a folded edge on each side.

I folded the handles in half at the center, pinning them at 3" from the ends, leaving the remaining 3" open. Sewing the length between the pins several times gave the handles a more substantial, quilted feel and appearance. I set the handles aside at this point.

Wanting to make layered pockets for my bag I first pieced contrasting fabrics to make a 6" by 8" rectangle, shown in Photo A.

Next I cut a single piece of green fabric into a 4" by 10" rectangle, then folded this rectangle in half, right sides together, and sewed a 1/4" seam on each side. After turning and carefully pressing the seams I top stitiched the green pocket.

Centering it and lining up the bottom edges to pin it to the larger pocket, I sewed the green pocket sides to the larger pocket--see Photo B.

I cut a white lining the same size as the large pocket and sewed it to the large pocket right sides together with a 1/4" seam, leaving an opening in the bottom so the unit of layered pockets could be turned. After turning and pressing the unit, I top-stitched the top edge, shown in Photo C.

Positioning the layered pockets about 2" from the top of the tote bag's lining, I layed it backwards, pinned it, and sewed a 12" seam across the bottom. Folding the unit of pockets back up I pressed the seam and pinned it in place.

Photo D is of the layered pocket unit folded up, pinned in place, ready to be sewn down one side, across the bottom, and up the other side.

You may wish to design other pocket shapes and/or make more or less than I chose to make for this bag.

The next step was to fold the pieced rectangle for the shell in half, right sides together, and sew up the side seams.

Then I squared off the bottom of the bag by sewing a triangle across each corner. Flattening the bottom of the bag onto the side seam and folding approximately 1 1/2" up from the point, then marking at equal distances for sewing. See Photos E, F, G, H, and I to give you a better idea of this process.

After repeating the same process for sewing the side seams and triangles, the lining was ready for inserting into the shell.

By turning the triangle corners of the shell and lining up each side I was able to use a quilting stitch called "stitch in a ditch" to tack the corners in place on the side seams. Another option would be to trim the triangle off at 1/4" and finish the cut edges, but I like the substance that the turned up corners give the bag, especially when I use lightweight fabric to make tote bags.

Pinning the handle ends at 2 1/2" from the shell's side seams, making sure the handles were not twisted, I stitched the handles in place along the top edge.

Keeping handles tucked in, I slid the lining into the shell with right sides together.

Matching the side seams of shell and lining, the top edge was pinned with a 3 1/2" opening marked on one side. Beginning at the first mark and sewing around to the second mark I backed stitched over the handles to give them extra strength.

Then, I gently pulled the lining out through the opening, along with the handles, being careful not to unduly stretch the cut fabric at the opening.

With opening edges carefully folded in I carefully pressed the top of the bag and pinned it for top stitching.

Once it was top stitched the bag had a nice crisp, finished look.

All this tote bag needed was a flower to polish it off. I chose to use some of the same fabric I pieced together to make mine, but a completely different color and pattern of cloth could be used.

I hope my second granddaughter enjoys carrying her little girl stuff and such in this gift bag for a long time.

• All measurements are approximate.

• For extra strength, back tack all seams that cross other seams, as well as seams that cross edges of layered fabric.

• Top stitch seams of pieced fabrics.

• Use a seam sealing product like FrayCheck to strengthen points of stress that would normally cause wear and tear on a bag. Be sure to follow manufacturers instructions.

• There are links below that have information on making a variety of fabric flowers, handles, pockets, and other details on making tote bags.

• Painting baby bibs could become an addictive project idea when it's this much fun.

• A classy denim handbag project made by recycling a denim skirt.

• Painting a dresser is an amazing creative project you can enjoy.

• This crocheted edge baby blanket makes a lovely gift, and it's just the right size for fitting into the all-in-one gift and tote bag.

• An easy paper craft project for making place cards for special meals.

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