Tote bag

Step 1

Cut your cotton canvas into a rectangle measuring 104 cm x 50 cm using a knife or a pair of scissors.

Step 2

Fold your canvas on the long side with the wrong side turning outwards to create a square measuring 50 x 52 cm. Start sewing from the fold down towards the bottom of the bag. Make sure that the edges along the sides are perfectly aligned. Make a seam 0.5 cm from the edge. Sew both sides.

Step 3

Turn the fabric, so that the right side of the bag faces outwards. Press down the corners to create a neat look. Sew once more along the seams, you just created, but this time make the seam 1 cm from the edge. This way, you create a nice edge on the inside of the bag.

Step 4

(Bottom)

To make your bag more spacious, you will need to sew a bottom piece. Stick a pin through the fold, you made in step 2, to mark where the bottom is.

Step 5

Measure 7.5 cm from the stitch and make a marking.

Step 6

Place your steel square to measure 7.5 cm out from your previous marking. Starting from the marking, draw a 7.5 cm long line upwards. Repeat in both corners on both sides.

Step 7

Place the seam on the side to be in line with the fold at the bottom. This way, you will create a triangular shape. Sew a seam in the line, you drew in step 6. Repeat this process on the opposite side.

Step 8

(The top of the bag)

Fold the fabric 1 cm down with the wrong sides against each other and make a seam.

Step 9

(Tips)

The seams in the sides consist of many layers of fabric. Here you can use a hump jumper (a presser foot) to ensure that the machine doesn't skip any stitches.

Step 10

Now you have made a pleat at the top of the bag. Fold down the wrong side of the fabric by 5 cm and pin in pins to ensure that the fold stays in place while sewing.

Step 11

Fasten the fold by sewing. Sew along the seam from the first fold.

Tip: The seams in the sides consist of many layers of fabric. Here you can use a hump jumper (a presser foot) to ensure that the machine doesn't skip any stitches.

Step 12

(Handle holders and handles)

You need to make 4 holders for the handles and 2 handles.

• 4 handle holders (2.5 cm x 11 cm).
• 2 handles (2.5 cm x 50 cm).

Step 13

(Handle holders)

To get a visually pleasing result, the holes on the handle holders must be centred. In each holder you must punch 4 holes. The first hole needs to be 1 cm from the tip and the second hole 2.8 cm from the tip. Fold the handle holder in the middle and mark identical holes on the opposite side of the strap using a rotary leather punch.

Step 14

(Handle holders)

Round the corners in both ends of the straps. Punch 4 holes in each end. Use one of your handle holders as a template for the other three, to ensure that they all match.

Step 15

(Mounting the handle holders)

Flip over your bag. The middle of the front and the middle of the back need to be marked with a pleat; Place your bag, so that the side seams are layered on top of each other. Use your fingers to make a pleat in both sides - you only need to make a small pleat.

Step 16

Place the bag so that the side seams are placed in the sides, and the pleats are placed in the middle. Measure 6 cm out from both sides of the pressed pleats and draw markings (see step 18 for reference).

Step 17

Place one of the handle holders in the middle of the line and use a leather marking pen to mark, where your holes will be. Fold the handle holder around a squared metal ring, so that the ring will be levelled with the edge of the top of your bag. The two holes must be placed 1.8 and 3.5 cm from the top edge of the bag.

Step 18

Make identical markings the three other places, where the handle holders are supposed to be attached.

Step 19

(Punch holes)

By placing a small piece of leather beneath the canvas, you will achieve a nicer look, when punching holes with your rotary leather punch. Be careful not the punch any holes in the seams.

Step 20

(Rivet)

Install the handle holders with rivets. Remember to use a solid pad underneath or use the floor.

Step 21

Install the straps by the ring that's attached to the handle holders. Make sure that the straps are turned correctly.

Step 22 (optional)

(EXTRA: Stabilizing the bottom)

You can choose to leave the bottom as it is, or you can use some stiffening material, leather or other materials to make it more stable and solid. We chose to use a 2 mm stiffening sheet that has been laid double and glued together. Cut the piece to be 15 cm x 30.5 cm.

Step 23

Now you have finished making your tote bag :)

The final measurements of the bag:

Height: 37 cm

Width: 30 cm

Depth: 15 cm