Bandana Tote Bag
Step-by-step instructions for sewing a bandana tote bag. This easy sewing project makes a cute everyday bag. View the blog post for step-by-step photos and video instructions.
Pin Recipe
Yield: 1 bag
Equipment
- measuring tape
- sewing pins
- sewing machine and thread
- iron and ironing board
Materials
- 6 22" bandanas
- natural cotton batting or stabilizer
Instructions
- Cut each of your 6 bandanas to 18" x18". Basically, you'll be trimming the border off of each side, but measure to ensure uniformity. Set 4 bandanas aside: 2 for the outer part of the bag and 2 for the lining.You'll have 2 bandanas left. Use one to cut a 9"x18" rectangle for an inside pocket and 2 (4"x16") strips for the short handles.Now you have 1 bandana left. Cut 4 (4"x18") strips for the long handles.
- Cut 2 large squares of batting using one of the outer bandanas as a pattern. Cut 2 (1 ¾" x 16") strips of batting to reinforce the short handles and 2 (1 ¾" x 30") strips of batting to reinforce the long handles.
- Fold each short handle piece in half and press with an iron. There will not be a line down the middle.
- Fold each outer edge towards the center and press with an iron.
- Open the fabric, and you'll have a 2" area in the center. Place one of the short batting strips in that area. Fold the edges over and iron.
- Fold the strap in half one more time and iron.
- Stitch close to the edge to finish that seam. Topstitch the other side so the sides match.
- To make the long handles, sew two of the (4"x18") strips together to form one long strip. Repeat for the remaining two strips.
- Repeat steps 3-7 to finish the long handles. Decide what length you'd like your long straps to be. I trimmed mine to 30", but you can go shorter or leave them as is.
- Fold the pocket rectangle in half to form a 9" x9" square. Stitch around the top and sides, leaving a 4-5" opening to turn right-side out.
- Trim corners, then turn the pocket right-side out and iron flat. Fold over the edges of the opening that you used to turn the pocket right-side out.
- Pin the pocket to the center of one of the lining bandanas, with the unfinished opening on the bottom.
- Sew around the sides and bottom to attach the pocket to the lining (this will also close off the opening you left in step 10).
- To quilt the outside of the bag, place one of the outer bandanas on top of a large square of batting. Sew vertical lines, spaced out 1" to quilt the bandana and batting. You can mark the sewing lines with tailor's chalk, a white sewing pencil, or simply pin the starting and stopping points, as I did.Note: If using chalk to mark the lines instead of pins, it is helpful to pin or clip the batting to the fabric to hold it in place while you sew.
- Make sure you have the following pieces: 2 short handles, 2 long handles, 2 lining bandanas (one with a pocket sewn in the center), and 2 quilted outer bandanas.
- Sew the two quilted bandanas together with right sides facing. Stitch the sides and bottom.
- Boxing the corners gives your bag more shape. To do this, bring one of the bottom corners to a point (triangle) with the center seam in the center. Measure 2" down and mark it with a pin.
- Sew across at the 2" mark to create a triangle. Trim off excess fabric.Repeat this process with the other corner.
- Sew the two lining bandanas together with right sides facing. Stitch the sides and bottom, MAKING SURE to leave a 6" opening in one of the sides to turn the bag right-side out later.
- Box the corners of the lining by repeating steps 17 and 18.
- Pin the handles to the outside of the bag. The short handles should be pinned 5" from the edge, and the long handles pinned 3" from the edge of the bag.Do this on both sides of the bag with one short handle and one long handle on each side.
- Stitch the handles to the bag CLOSE to the edge of the fabric. This will hold them in place while you assemble the bag.
- To finish the bag, the outer part should be right-side out, and the lining should be inside-out.Place the outer part inside the lining, matching the side seams. Pin along the top to hold everything in place.You should only see batting when you look into the bag, and should only see the wrong side of the lining on the outside.
- Sew along the top edge of the bag using a ⅜" seam allowance.
- Turn the bag right side out through the opening you left in the lining.Fold the edges of the opening closed and stitch it closed using the sewing machine or by hand.
- Shove the lining into the bag and smooth everything out.
- Topstitch around the top of the bag to reinforce the handles and give the bag a polished look.
Video
Notes
Finished bag: Approximately 16" tall, 16" wide, and 4" deep.
Seams: ⅜" unless otherwise noted.
Top stitching: close to the edge of the fabric, about ⅛".
