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The DIY Canvas Tote Bag That’s Super Simple

I often find myself leaving the library with heaps of books in my arms so I wanted to make up a diy canvas tote bag or two to keep in the car for trips to the library.  So I sewed up a couple.  The finished tote measures 15 1/2 X 15 inches and is a good size to hold a couple of books, a few toys for a kiddo to take in the car, or a few groceries from the market.

DIY Canvas Tote Bag

Here’s the tutorial so you can make one too:

For each DIY Canvas Tote Bag you will need:

Tutorial

Step 1: Wash, dry, and iron your fabric.  Then cut out a rectangular piece that measures 18 inches by 32 inches.  Fold the fabric in half lengthwise.

cutting the fabric out

Step 2: Pin and sew across the bottom and the open side, sewing 1/4 inch from the edge.

DIY Canvas Tote Bag

Step 3: Trim the bottom corner.

Step 4: Turn the bag inside out.  Iron it nice and flat.  Pin and sew across the bottom and up the side, sewing 1/2 inch from the edge. 

We are doing this so that the raw edge of the fabric will be fully encased.  Duck canvas frays really badly so we don’t want a raw edge exposed.

DIY Canvas Tote Bag

Step 5: Fold the top of the bag down about 1 inch and press.  Then open the fold up and fold the top down to the crease and press again.  Fold it down so that the raw edge is inside the fold, pin, and sew all the way around the top of the bag. 

Alternately you could fold down twice from the top, press, pin, and sew all around the top edge.

DIY Canvas Tote Bag
DIY Canvas Tote Bag
DIY Canvas Tote Bag
DIY Canvas Tote Bag

Step 6: Cut the cotton webbing to 26 inches for each strap.  Pin each side of the strap about 3 inches from the outside of the bag, with 1 inch of the webbing overlapping with the inside of the bag. 

Sew a square with an X across it on each end of the strap to secure them down.

the finished tote
DIY Canvas Tote Bag
DIY Canvas Tote Bag

You’re done!  Head to the library.  Or the grocery store.  Or the market.  Wherever you need a little tote bag.

DIY Canvas Tote Bag

Want more sewing projects?  Check out my sewing tutorials page.

DIY Canvas Tote Bag



Marla Blanchette

Monday 20th of February 2017

Love this!

Cat

Monday 20th of February 2017

Thank you!

Marie W

Monday 20th of February 2017

I love the fabric you used for this tote. Where can I get some?

Cat

Monday 20th of February 2017

Thank you! In the supply list above there's an affiliate link where you can get the fabric from Amazon. It's Vintage Camper by Premier Prints. It comes in different color schemes and the one I used is Maya. You can find it on Amazon, Fabric.com, and I'm sure it is available at other fabric stores.

Liv Wan

Thursday 16th of February 2017

Love this tutorial so much. This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for sharing.

Cat

Friday 17th of February 2017

You're welcome!

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