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4th of July, Sewing, Summer

Simple Summer Totebag

by Dena Stormer · on June 16, 2014 · 41 Comments ·

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Hey y’all! I’m Dena from Hearts & Sharts and I am super pumped to be a new contributor for The Crafting Chicks. Eeek!

Summer is here! Time to throw all your junk in a tote bag and hit the beach! If you’re not a beach person (do those exist?), this tote is perfect for the grocery store and can also transition from your basic nautical, summery look to a simple patriotic look for those big summer holidays! Extra bonus: It’s super easy to make. Totes Muh-goats!

DIY Striped Summer Tote

You will need two types of fabric, one for the lining (the inside) and one for the outside. I used a thick outdoor fabric (waterproof, score!) for the outside and a white cotton duck for the inside. Thicker fabric will help the tote keep its shape. While you’re hittin’ up the fabric store, grab two yards of rope and a set of grommets (grab the ones with the grommet tools in the package). Make sure that your rope will fit through the grommets you choose.

fabric ropes grommets tote bag

  Cut the fabric for the exterior of the tote to 19″ x 19″.

cut fabric for exterior of tote bag

Repeat for the lining.

lining for tote bag

Then, on all four pieces, cut out a 3″ x 3″ square. These will create the tote bag bottom.

cut fabric for tote bag

 Next, with right sides together, sew the exterior fabric up both sides and across the bottom, leaving the two square cut-outs open. Use about a 1/4″ seam allowance.

leave notches for tote bag

 Pull the fabric open/apart, matching the side and bottom seams…

DIY totebag sewing bottom

 …and pin in place.

bottom corner of tote bag

 Sew the opening closed and repeat for the other side of the tote.

tote bag inside out

 Boom. Leave this piece inside out and set aside.

Now grab your lining fabric and repeat the same steps, with right sides together, except leave a small opening at the bottom. This will be where you “birth” the bag through when it’s all done. Gross, right? I think that’s the technical term for it.

lining of tote bag

Keep going and sew up those little corner openings the same way you did the exterior fabric. Turn the lining right side out and this is what you will have.

totebag-lining-right-side-out-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

With the outside of your tote still inside out, slide the lining (right sides out) inside. That’s confusing to say, but the pic below will help. The right sides of both pieces should be facing each other.

diy-totebag-insert-lining-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

Line up the side seams of both layers…

line-up-seams-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

 …and sew all the way around, joining the two layers.

sew-around-top-edge-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

sew-around-top-edge-totebag-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

 Get ready for a pain-free birth. Pull the lining out of the bag, the stick your hand through the little hole you left in the lining and “birth” it, baby!

diy-tote-bag-turning-sequence-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

Iron the tote…

turn-totebag-right-side-out-iron-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

… and stitch up the birthing hole. Ew. You can do a hand stitch to keep it pretty, but since this is the inside of the bag, I just ran across it with my machine.

sew-up-birthing-hole-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

Put the lining back inside the tote and you’re almost done. Like I mentioned earlier, thicker fabrics, like canvas or outdoor fabrics, will help the tote keep it’s shape. If this same tote were made of cotton, it wouldn’t be able to stand on it’s own without the use of interfacing.

diy-totebag-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

Time for grommets. If you’ve never used these before, don’t be scared, it’s so super easy. You only need four for this tote so you will have extras, it’s a good idea to do a test on a scrap piece of fabric. Figure out where you want your straps/grommets. On this tote they are 3″ from the side and 1″ from the top.

diy-totebag-stripes-grommets-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

 Mark the spot by tracing the inside of the tall grommet.

installing-grommets-diy-striped-totebag-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

 Then, carefully cut out that hole, going through both the exterior fabric as well as the lining.

cut-hole-for-grommet-diy-totebag-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

Push the raised part of the grommet through the hole. Flip the tote over so you can get to the other side of the grommet. Follow the simple instructions on the grommet package. You will need a hammer for this step and it is best to do this on a concrete floor.

diy-tote-bag-installing-grommets-sequence-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

Once your grommets are in on one side of the tote, you can use those holes to mark your grommet spots on the other side of the tote.

line-up-grommet-holes-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

 Cut the two yards of rope exactly in half so that you have two 1 yard pieces. Guide the rope from the inside of the tote to the outside and tie a knot. Tie it semi-loosely to start and once you have all four tied, make sure your straps are even and then tighten each knot.

diy-striped-totebag-with-rope-handles-Hearts-And-Sharts-for-The-Crafting-Chicks

Done!

Total time spent on this project : 1 hour

diy simple summer tote bag

Now that you know how to make this tote, you can get crazy and mix it up! The rope is also available in white, the grommets are available in gold and fabric choices are endless. Get busy, girl! Make something!

dsig

About Dena Stormer

Comments

  1. Charlotte @ Ciburbanity says

    June 16, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    I love this. SO easy to understand. And you know when you’re a DIY dork when your mind is blown by thinks like the cut out corner= tote bag bottom detail. Like I need another tote bag…. ugh. Thanks, Dena!

    Reply
    • Dena Stormer says

      June 17, 2014 at 5:37 am

      Thank YOU, Charlotte!

      Reply
  2. hollycheyenne says

    June 16, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    Awesome….. This is exactly what is been looking for! Can’t wait to start making my bag!

    Reply
    • hollycheyenne says

      June 16, 2014 at 9:01 pm

      *I’ve

      Reply
    • Dena Stormer says

      June 17, 2014 at 5:38 am

      I’d love to see pics when you’re done!! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Anne says

    June 17, 2014 at 8:24 am

    Cute bag!! The stripes are perfect for summer!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this morning that links to your tutorial:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-rope-handle-summertime-tote-bag/2014/06/17/
    –Anne

    Reply
    • Dena Stormer says

      June 29, 2014 at 4:13 pm

      Awesome! Thanks, Anne!

      Reply
  4. Maureen Rector says

    June 17, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    I haven’t sewn in years, but thanks to your tutorial, I’m off to make a tote for myself. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Dena Stormer says

      June 29, 2014 at 4:14 pm

      Whoo-hoo!! Happy sewing, Maureen!

      Reply
  5. Sandy says

    June 17, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    This is a great tutorial! I am anxious to make a few! (you can never have too many totes… can you?? 🙂 Thanks so much for posting!

    Reply
    • Dena Stormer says

      June 29, 2014 at 4:15 pm

      Thank you, Sandy! As long as there are shoes, we will always need matching totes. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Nancy says

    June 18, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    Very cute, Dena! Those corner cutouts are genius! I’ve made bags before without them and I’ll say your method is Da Bomb!!! Might just whip me up one tomorrow… I have all the ingredients in my inventory. 🙂

    Reply
    • Dena Stormer says

      June 29, 2014 at 4:15 pm

      Yay! Thanks, Nancy!

      Reply
  7. Kelly @ Corner of Main says

    June 19, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    This is fantastic! I can’t wait to make one. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Dena Stormer says

      June 29, 2014 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks, Kelly!

      Reply
  8. Jessica says

    June 19, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    Love your bag and tutorial!! I was curious, did you pre-wash the fabrics?

    Reply
    • Dena Stormer says

      June 29, 2014 at 4:13 pm

      Thanks, Jessica! I did not pre-wash the fabrics.

      Reply
  9. Brynna Haddock says

    June 22, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Easy and cheap enough to make a bunch for friends’ birthday gifts! Thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Dena Stormer says

      June 29, 2014 at 4:16 pm

      Oh, yea! Handmade gifts are the very best! Thanks, Brynna!

      Reply
  10. Lydia @ The Thrifty Frugal Mom says

    June 30, 2014 at 7:30 am

    What a great tutorial! I know how to sew, although I really don’t enjoy it. But this tutorial looks easy enough that you are actually tempting me to try making my own bag! Pinning it to find later….

    Reply
  11. Heather says

    July 15, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    I’m officially addicted to making these. Just finished up my fourth one and added a pocket to it. Love! I blame Joann’s having the fabric on sale!! Thanks so much for sharing. Wish I could submit a photo 🙂

    Reply
    • Becky says

      July 15, 2014 at 9:59 pm

      Heather–Email your pics to us! We’d love to see what you’ve been sewing up!

      Reply
  12. Theresa says

    May 12, 2015 at 10:26 am

    I have a sewing machine that has been in my closet un-open for 3 yrs, I had every intention to learn how to use it, but when I look at sewing patterns I get scared. This looks like something I can try without getting too intimidated! My only question is how much fabric will I need?

    Reply
  13. Becky says

    June 18, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    I saw this idea somewhere and have been all over pinterest/internet reading patterns and directions – YOURS are the simplest and clearest! I know have a very clear understanding of what I’m doing – thank you so very much!

    Reply
    • Becky says

      June 18, 2015 at 11:20 pm

      Thanks for letting us know! I’m so glad the directions are the best you’ve found!

      Reply
  14. Theresa says

    March 23, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    Thank you so much. Thanks to your great directions and pattern, I just completed 30 beach bags for my daughters destination wedding. She had sixty guests coming and every room will have a bag with goodies when they arrive.
    I really enjoyed doing this craft.

    Reply
    • Becky says

      March 23, 2017 at 9:43 pm

      Wow. You are amazing. What a fun idea! Good luck on the wedding!

      Reply
  15. Theresa says

    May 22, 2017 at 5:53 am

    This pattern was so well laid out and simple to follow. I made 32 beach bags as welcome gifts to my daughters destination wedding. They were a huge success. I can’t thank you enough for putting this well detailed pattern on Pinterest.
    Theresa

    Reply
    • Margaret says

      August 10, 2017 at 4:28 am

      Love the tutorial.
      our town area is trying to go plastic bag free.
      I have saved old jeans to make shopping bags with, and just needed sizes
      to get me on my way. will allow a bit more on the top for hemming and attach straps to that.
      Our Youth Centre has been donated materials, sewing machines and they are selling them on for $2NZ each to try and keep our landfills free of bags. I must say it has taken off like a rocket 🙂 They call them Boomerang Bags. Even people who have a few hours to spare go in with their machines and help sew them, like a chain gang.

      Reply
  16. Jane says

    August 13, 2018 at 10:54 am

    I am a beginner and this is one of the best written instructions/visuals. I made a bag yesterday and it turned out lovely. I additionally top stitched the bag and I am so proud of myself. Thanks again for these perfect instructions.

    Reply
  17. Debra Leavens says

    April 13, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    Best tutorial EVER! I’m a newbie and I appreciated this so much. Love my tote. Thank you

    Reply
    • Becky says

      April 14, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      We are so glad it worked well for you!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tutorial: Rope handle summertime tote bag | Sewing | CraftGossip.com says:
    June 17, 2014 at 11:11 am

    […] Dena from Hearts & Sharts shares a tutorial at The Crafting Chicks showing how you can make this summertime tote bag.  A wide blue and white stripe, and straps made from rope and large grommets give it a nautical vibe.  Make it from heavier weight fabrics so it has body without having to interface. You can find her tutorial at The Crafting Chicks. […]

    Reply
  2. Simple Summer Tote for The Crafting Chicks - Hearts & Sharts says:
    August 28, 2014 at 8:08 am

    […] You can check out the full tutorial here. […]

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  3. Beach Tote Bag Simple and Easy to Make - North Breeze says:
    February 17, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    […] Summer is coming and that brings those wonderful sunny days at the beach. This cheery and easy to make beach tote bag is perfect for use either at the beach or for day to day use .Choose a blue and white nautical striped fabric as shown in the photo or any other color or print that suits your personal taste. The tutorial with easy to follow instructions both written and with photos is found at https://thecraftingchicks.com/2014/06/simple-summer-totebag.html#_a5y_p=1847567 […]

    Reply
  4. Beach Tote Bag Easy to Make - North Breeze says:
    February 18, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    […] The Beach Tote Bag tutorial with easy to follow instructions both written and with photos is found at   https://thecraftingchicks.com/2014/06/simple-summer-totebag.html#_a5y_p=1847567 […]

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  5. Beach Tote Bag - North Breeze says:
    March 2, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    […] The Beach Tote Bag tutorial with easy to follow instructions both written and with photos is found at   https://thecraftingchicks.com/2014/06/simple-summer-totebag.html#_a5y_p=1847567 […]

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    July 13, 2015 at 6:09 am

    […] via Martha Stewart 4. Driftwood Seahorse via Creative in Chicago 5. Simple Summer Totebag via Crafting Chicks 6. Mason Jar Tiki Torches via The Frugal […]

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    June 14, 2016 at 4:01 am

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