What you will need:

1/2 yd of Cotton Fabric for bag

1/2 yd of Cotton Lining

1/2 yd of medium weight of interfacing

Thread to match fabric.

 

To make the bag:Preparation

1. Decide how big you want the finished bag to be.

2 Measure a square for that size plus 1" . example. If your finished bag will be 12x12", cut a square 13x13". Keep the fold of the fabric as the bottom of the bag.

3. Cut the lining and interfacing the same size as bag.

3. Decide how long you want the handle (straps) and cut 2 pieces by 3" wide in a rectangle (example: 22"L and 3"W). Cut 2 pieces of interfacing the same size.

4. Using an iron, follow the instructions and fuse interfacing to bag and handle. pieces.

 

How to sew the bag.

1. With right sides together; sew the 2 sides of the bag and leave the top open. The fold will be the bottom

2. At the ironing board take the straps and press one long side to the middle of the strap. Then press the remaing side to the middle of the strap. Then fold one side over the other and press. Do this to both straps. Take the straps to the machine and sew the long edges together.

3. Decide how far apart you want the straps on the bag. Using a marking pen or pencil place a dot or line on the bag to tell you where to put the straps. Pin the straps to bag at the mark with the raw edge of the strap lined up to the top of the bag. (pin all 4 straps and make sure the rest of the strap is in the bag.) Stitch across the top edge of the strap to secure it to the bag.

 

With right sides together; stitch the lining in the same manner as the bag. Now turn the bag and lining right sides out.

Place the bag inside of the lining right side together (make sure that the straps are inside the lining).

Pin the top of bag to top of lining all the way around. Now sew it all the way around.

With your scissors; cut a small slit to make an opening in the bottom of the lining (the fold of the fabric). Reach in the opening and pull the bag out through. Sew up the opening; then tuck the lining into the bag. Take to the iron board and press.

THERE YOU HAVE IT, YOUR SIMPLE TOTE BAG.

You can be creative and embellish it with whatever you like.