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You are here: Home / Favorite Posts / Cute Cross Body Tote Bag Tutorial

January 30, 2018 · 35 Comments

Cute Cross Body Tote Bag Tutorial

Favorite Posts· Sewing & Crafts· Sewing Favorites· Sewing Patterns & Ideas

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What’s the Project? This tote bag tutorial is easy to follow and helps you make the cutest bag! You’ll love these easy to follow instructions and you will really love the bag you can sew with this tutorial.

My beautiful messenger bag has bit the dust. It was well used but it was time to move on, so I needed a new bag.

I came up with something new and fun and I LOVE how it turned out! I’m calling it a Cross Body Tote Bag tutorial:

Cute and Easy Tote Bag Tutorial-Grab this free tote bag sewing pattern and tutorial to make a great DIY bag that you're going to love! #sewing #sewingpatterns #totebag #DIYtotebag

It’s cute and it’s easy and YOU can do it! This would make a great dance bag or could be great for teens and tweens too!

 

Cross Body Tote Bag Tutorial:

Supplies Needed:

  • 1 yard of main fabric (you will have leftover) I got my fabric from The Ribbon Retreat
  • 1 yard of inner fabric (you will have leftover)
  • 1/4 yard of accent fabric
  • 1 yard of fusible fleece interfacing
  • Tiny piece of felt (optional-for flower)
  • Hot glue (optional-for flower)

 

Tote Bag Pattern Pieces:

From main and inner fabrics and fusible fleece cut the following:

  • 2 pieces that are 14″ wide by 12″ tall (of each fabric and fleece)
  • 1 piece that is 4″ wide by 43″ long (of each fabric and fleece)

For the pocket cut from main and accent fabrics: (optional)

  • 1 piece from each fabric that is 10″ wide by 6.5″ tall

 

Sewing Instructions:

Iron your fusible fleece to your main pieces with the fleece on the back. You iron on the top of the fabric:How to Make a Tote Bag

Let’s start by sewing the strap. Grab your two long pieces (4 inches by 43). The main fabric should have the fleece ironed on already. Put right sides together and then sew along the two long sides:

Tote Bag Tutorial

Turn that right side out and press it flat, then top stitch along the two long sides. You are done with the strap, so set it aside for now.

If you would like an inner pocket, let’s put that together now. Take your two pocket pieces and place them right sides together. Sew up the top and the bottom. I wanted my pocket a little fancy with the accent fabric showing at the top. To do this, after you have sewn the top and bottom, turn it all right side out and press it flat, BUT, do it so that the accent fabric is showing at the top a little like this:

Tutorial for a Tote Bag

Get it all pressed how you want it and then turn it back inside out and sew up the two sides but leave a small opening in one spot so you can turn it right side out. Turn it and press it flat again, closing the opening with the ironing. Top stitch the top seam of the pocket to keep it all in place well (see image below).

Now, grab one of your pieces of inner fabric that is 14 by 12 and center the pocket on it and sew around the side, bottom and other side, leaving the top open. I also like to sew a line down the center of the pocket to create compartments:

Pocketinsert

If you want to create the ruffle, it’s time. Cut a piece of fabric that is about 5 inches wide and about 17 inches long.

Fold it so that right sides are together and stitch up the side:

Rufflestep1

Turn it right side out and press it so that the seam is centered like this:

Sewingaruffle

That seam will be the BACK of your ruffle.

Now, run a basting stitch up the ruffle. I did two-you can do either one or two. (If you are new to ruffling, here is a tutorial to help you.)

Leave your threads hanging at the end. Grab the top two and gently pull and slide your fabric along it to ruffle the fabric:

How to Make a Tote Bag

Ruffle it to your desired ruffle amount (I just did a little, nothing too fancy) and then pin it in place on the outside of one of your main pieces. Sew a straight stitch right up the middle. You should have some overhanging the top and the bottom. Just let it hang for now.

Theruffle

So pretty right?!

OK, time to assemble the bag.

Grab your two main pieces and place them together with right sides touching. Sew around the side, then the bottom and then the other side. Your ruffle will be hanging out the bottom. You can snip off the excess once you’ve sewn this step:

Howtomakeatotebag

Now, I added box corners to mine to make it a little roomier inside. This is how.

Take one of the corners of your bag and turn and pinch the fabric so that it ends up looking like this:

Howtomakeboxcorners

Here’s a view of the whole bag so that you can see what I mean better:

Sewingboxcorners

Then, sew a straight line along that part to form a triangle tip. Snip off the tip of the triangle:

Tote Bag Tutorial

Boxcornerstutorial

And that’s it! Do that to the other corner.

Then do all of this to your inner pieces as well. Sew them together and make the box corners.

Now, turn your INNER pieces right side out and slide them down into your main pieces (which are still inside out):

Makingatotebagtutorial

Grab your strap and insert it between the two layers of fabric so that the ends are sticking out like this:

Straps

And the strap itself is nestled down inside the bag between the two layers like this: (Make sure it is NOT twisted inside though)

Strapinside

Pin all the way around the top making sure to match up the top of the bag evenly:

Sewaroundtop

And sew all the way around the top leaving a small (about 4-5 inches) opening in one spot (not where the straps are) to turn it. Then, reach through that opening and start to pull the inside out and turn it right side out:

Turningit

You’ll need to do some nice pressing and straightening now to get it all to lay flat. In particular, press the top well to make sure that the fabrics line up evenly and that you get your opening closed. Then, top stitch all the way around the top. This will sew that opening closed AND make your bag look pretty.

Then, if you want to add a flower, here is a tutorial. Create it and then hand stitch it on and enjoy!

Cute Tote Bags

Hopefully, you’ve loved this tote bag tutorial!

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Easy Tote Bag:

Easy Tote Bag Tutorial

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sara says

    November 16, 2019 at 7:00 pm

    would love to see this bag with a zipper. Do you have a tutorial for that?

    Reply
    • Amber says

      April 22, 2020 at 11:40 am

      I don’t but you could definitely add one!

      Reply
  2. Lauren Kubler says

    July 9, 2018 at 5:55 pm

    hi – do you have a printable version of this? I’m probably missing it!! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Amber says

      July 9, 2018 at 8:41 pm

      I don’t-sorry!

      Reply
  3. Gina says

    May 8, 2018 at 10:36 am

    Hi! How would you add a zipper closure to the top of this bag?

    Reply
    • Amber says

      May 9, 2018 at 8:39 pm

      Check the laptop bag tutorial. It’s similar. https://crazylittleprojects.com/laptop-bag-pattern/

      Reply
    • Courtney says

      October 25, 2019 at 10:17 pm

      I’m confused by what you mean by “sew all the way around the top..” as part of the last steps. To me, that would mean sewing the bag COMPLETELY closed, in which case…how would you use it?

      Reply
      • Amber says

        April 22, 2020 at 11:45 am

        No, just around the top edges to make it nice and clean and finished. You can skip this if you want though.

        Reply
  4. Jackie says

    January 7, 2018 at 12:30 pm

    Love the simplicity of this cute bag! Any suggestions about how to add a zipper?

    Reply
    • Amber says

      January 10, 2018 at 11:06 pm

      Check out my laptop bag pattern-you could do kind of a combo of the two: https://crazylittleprojects.com/laptop-bag-pattern/

      Reply
  5. loribell says

    August 21, 2016 at 2:41 pm

    Thank you for the clear and concise directions. I would love to show you my completed bag, but don’t see how, so take my word for it – it is wonderful. I appreciate the assistance.

    Reply
    • Amber says

      August 23, 2016 at 12:37 pm

      Love to hear that! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jaden Dobbelare says

    July 26, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    Pretty and cute!! Can you hand sew it???

    Reply
    • Amber says

      July 29, 2014 at 5:37 pm

      Sure-it will just take longer.

      Reply
  7. Katharine says

    March 9, 2014 at 10:07 am

    Urgg I can not make the ruffle it keeps breaking I have never made one before. Someone help. Ktate1482@gmail.com.

    Reply
    • Fiona says

      May 18, 2014 at 5:41 pm

      Change the tension on your sewing machine to the highest setting then set the stitch length to the longest length. The fabric will gather by itself and it’s way faster than the basting stitch way.

      Reply
  8. Kath says

    March 4, 2014 at 4:05 am

    Very cute. The fabric is great!

    Reply
  9. Karly VanKomen says

    February 23, 2014 at 8:25 am

    This bag is darling, can’t wait to make it….can you give me a link to the flower you used, I can’t seem to find one that looks just like yours?

    Reply
    • Amber says

      March 6, 2014 at 9:35 pm

      Here it is: http://crazylittleprojects.com/2014/01/five-minute-fabric-flowers-tutorial.html

      Reply
  10. dana strickland says

    February 10, 2014 at 9:47 am

    I just made this bag…I am very happy with how it turned out. I left the ruffle off because I couldnt get it just right. Loved that I learned how to do pockets!

    Reply
    • Amber says

      February 18, 2014 at 4:18 pm

      Happy you liked it. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Frederique says

    February 6, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    Hi Amber ! I read your blog from France and i love it !!!! my English is not so good… but I think i understand the main 🙂 Pleasure. Fréd.

    Reply
  12. Renee says

    February 1, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    Hi Amber, what are the finished dimensions on this bag? I love this one, but I just can’t get an idea of the scale from the pics, and I would love to use it as a small purse if it fits the bill.

    Reply
    • Amber says

      February 4, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      It’s about 13 by 11 but you can size it up or down as needed easily!

      Reply
  13. Jasmine says

    February 1, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    I just finished this purse!!! It was the first “hard” sewing project I’ve done other than pillows or a makeup brush holder! It turned out so well!! Your tutorial was so helpful for a beginner sewer (is that a word??) like me!!
    Thanks a ton!!!

    Reply
    • Amber says

      February 4, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      Way to go!!!

      Reply
  14. V! R! says

    January 30, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    I love your blog, the pictures for this post are so cute.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  15. Jana Cruse says

    January 30, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    I too enjoy making bags. Your tutorial is very clear and i like all the photos. I like to put the magnetic closures in my bags but i end up doing after the bag is completed because I have not figured out at what stage in the construction would make it easier?
    I find that without the mags, the top seems to sag open. Velcro will keep it closed but doesn’t look very professional. Can you shed some light on how you think this should be done?
    Thanks so much
    Jana

    Reply
    • Amber says

      February 4, 2014 at 2:08 pm

      I’ve actually never tried that but it’s a great idea. Not sure how it is done though. Sorry!

      Reply
    • Stefanie says

      May 29, 2014 at 1:36 pm

      Jana, if I may…. to answer your question about in what stage of the bag making process to add a magnetic snap. The short and sweet version, using your tape measure, measure 1/4-1/2 inch in on both sides, from that measurement for your seam find the middle, drop down 2 inches from the top. This will give you room for your seam and topstiching. Remember when measuring, take into account the seam allowance, this is the 1/4-1/2 inch.

      Now, if you want your snap exposed on the outside with a flap to close, after you use your interfacing/stabilizer etc. then you do the measurements and add your magnetic snap. Okay, now if you want your magnetic snap to be “hidden” on the inside of your bag, do your measurements on the inside material of the bag add a small piece of interfacing/stabilizer, then put in your snap. You have to use some kind of stabilizing material so your magnetic snap does not rip through the material. All measurements and the snap should be done before the bag is assembled. I hope this helps. ~~Stefanie

      Reply
      • Susan says

        August 13, 2014 at 1:35 pm

        Excellent. Thanks!

        Reply
  16. betty says

    January 30, 2014 at 10:59 am

    This looks just like the I Pad Cover except with Handles!

    Reply
  17. Brittney says

    January 30, 2014 at 10:23 am

    This is so cute and easy! Thanks for the tutorial!!

    Reply
  18. Sarah Milliken says

    January 30, 2014 at 9:11 am

    What are the seam allowances?

    Reply
    • Amber says

      January 30, 2014 at 1:38 pm

      On a bag it doesn’t really matter, but I do about 1/2″

      Reply

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Hi! I am Amber. I'm first and foremost a mom to 4 boys. When I am not being a mom or a wife I love to bake, I love to sew, I love to read and I don't like to sit still. Welcome to Crazy Little Projects where I show off my latest crazy projects and show you how you can do them too. Thanks for visiting! [Read More …]

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