.jpg)
It's fantastic that you want to upcycle and sew a large, simple, and easy-to-use bag! These types of bags are incredibly versatile—perfect for groceries, beach trips, laundry, or just carrying everyday essentials. The beauty of a simple design is that it's quick to make and forgiving for beginners, while still being highly functional.
Let's create a sturdy, spacious box-bottom tote bag from repurposed fabric. This design is straightforward to sew and results in a bag that stands up on its own, making it super easy to use and load. We'll aim for a finished size of approximately 16 inches (40 cm) wide, 14 inches (35 cm) tall, and 6 inches (15 cm) deep.
How to Sew a Large, Simple, Upcycled Tote Bag
This project is great for beginners and can be completed relatively quickly. The main skills involved are cutting, sewing straight lines, and basic corner construction.
I. Planning & Gathering Your Materials
The success of your upcycled bag starts with your material choices. Look around your home for fabrics that are durable and have a bit of weight to them.
Upcycled Fabric for Exterior:
Quantity: You'll need a piece of sturdy fabric approximately 28 inches (71 cm) long x 34 inches (86 cm) wide, or enough smaller pieces that can be sewn together to achieve this size.
Ideas for Upcycling:
Old Jeans/Denim: Excellent choice for durability! You'll need to cut open the legs and piece them together if you want a continuous panel, or embrace a patchwork look.
Canvas Drop Cloths: Inexpensive and very strong, often found at hardware stores.
Old Curtains or Upholstery Fabric: Look for thick, tightly woven fabrics.
Old Jackets/Coats: Heavy fabric like corduroy, wool blends, or sturdy cotton jackets.
Thick Tablecloths or Placemats: Could be incorporated into the design.
Preparation: Always wash and thoroughly dry your chosen fabric before cutting to prevent future shrinkage and to ensure it's clean. Iron it flat.
Upcycled Fabric for Lining (Optional, but Recommended for Durability & Finish):
Quantity: You'll need a piece of lighter-weight fabric approximately 28 inches (71 cm) long x 34 inches (86 cm) wide, or enough pieces to achieve this size.
Ideas for Upcycling: Old bedsheets, duvet covers, tablecloths, large old shirts (if pieced), or even lighter-weight curtains.
Preparation: Wash and iron.
Handles:
Option 1: Webbing: 1 inch (2.5 cm) or 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide cotton or polypropylene webbing. You'll need two pieces, each 26 inches (66 cm) long. This is the easiest and strongest option.
Option 2: Fabric from your Upcycled Clothes: Cut two strips from sturdy parts of your upcycled fabric (e.g., jean waistbands, or fabric strips 3 inches / 7.6 cm wide x 27 inches / 68.5 cm long). You'll need to fold and stitch these to make them strong.
Option 3: Old Belt: A sturdy old belt can be cut and repurposed into a unique handle.
Matching Thread: All-purpose polyester thread. For very thick fabrics like denim, consider a heavy-duty or topstitching thread if your machine can handle it.
Basic Sewing Tools:
Sewing machine (a heavy-duty needle like a size 16 or 18 is crucial for thick fabrics).
Walking foot (optional but highly recommended): This attachment helps feed multiple thick layers of fabric evenly through your machine.
Sharp Fabric Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Mat.
Measuring Tape or Long Ruler.
Fabric Chalk or Mark-B-Gone Pen.
Plenty of Pins or Fabric Clips (clips are especially useful for bulky fabrics!).
Iron and Ironing Board.
Seam Ripper (your best friend for undoing stitches!).
II. Prepare & Cut Your Fabric Pieces
Accuracy in cutting is important for a neat bag. We'll use a consistent 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance throughout, unless otherwise specified.
1. Cut Main Bag Panels (Exterior & Lining)
From your Upcycled Exterior Fabric:
Cut 1 rectangle, 34 inches (86 cm) long x 28 inches (71 cm) wide. This piece will form the front, back, and bottom of your tote in one continuous piece.
From your Upcycled Lining Fabric:
Cut 1 rectangle, 34 inches (86 cm) long x 28 inches (71 cm) wide.
2. Prepare Handles
If using webbing: No preparation needed, just ensure they are cut to 26 inches (66 cm).
If making fabric handles (e.g., from denim scraps):
Cut two strips, each 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide x 27 inches (68.5 cm) long.
Fold each strip in half lengthwise (wrong sides together) and press firmly.
Open the fold, then fold each long raw edge in towards the center crease you just made. Press again.
Fold the entire strip in half lengthwise once more, enclosing all raw edges. Press firmly. You should now have a strip that is about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide.
Topstitch along both long edges of each handle, close to the folded edges.
This secures the folds and adds strength.
.jpg)
III. Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Remember to press your seams after each step for a professional finish. Use your heavy-duty needle and a walking foot (if you have one) when sewing through thick layers. Backstitch at the beginning and end of every seam for reinforcement, especially on handles.
Step 1: Attach Handles to Exterior Bag Panel
Lay your Exterior Fabric rectangle (34" x 28") right side up.
Imagine dividing the 34-inch length into three sections: 14 inches (one side), 6 inches (bottom), 14 inches (other side). The 28-inch width is the height of your bag.
Find the handle placement: On each of the two 28-inch (height) sides, measure 4 inches (10 cm) in from each side edge.
Mark these points. Place the raw ends of one handle onto these marks, aligning the raw edges of the webbing with the raw 28-inch edge of the exterior panel. The handle loop should face inwards, towards the center of the panel. Pin securely.
Stitch the handles in place with a strong reinforcing stitch (e.g., stitch a square with an "X" inside it), within the 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance. This is crucial for handle strength.
Repeat for the second handle on the opposite 28-inch side of the Exterior Fabric Panel.
Step 2: Assemble the Exterior Bag
Fold the Exterior Fabric panel in half, right sides together, so it now measures 17 inches (43 cm) long x 28 inches (71 cm) wide. The handles will be inside the fold. Align the raw 28-inch side edges.
Pin securely along these two 28-inch side edges.
Stitch down both side seams, using a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance.
Finish Raw Edges (Recommended): Use a zigzag stitch or serger along all raw seam allowances to prevent fraying and add durability. Press seams open.
Step 3: Create Boxed Corners for Exterior Bag
This step creates the flat, defined bottom of your tote.
At one of the bottom corners of the exterior bag (still inside out), gently pinch the corner so the previously sewn side seam aligns perfectly with the bottom fold. This will naturally form a triangular shape at the corner.
Measure from the point of this triangle inward along the seam line a distance equal to half of your desired bag depth (e.g., for a 6-inch deep bag, you'll measure 3 inches / 7.6 cm).
Draw a straight line perpendicular to the seam at this measured point. This line should be equal to your desired bag depth (e.g., 6 inches / 15 cm).
Stitch precisely along the drawn line, backstitching securely at both ends.
Trim the excess fabric triangle from the corner, leaving about a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance beyond your new stitching line.
Repeat this exact process for the other bottom corner of the exterior bag.
Turn the exterior bag right side out. Push out the boxed corners with your fingers or a blunt tool to make them crisp.
Step 4: Assemble the Lining Bag (Repeat Steps 2 & 3, with one crucial modification)
Fold the Lining Fabric panel in half, right sides together, so it measures 17 inches (43 cm) long x 28 inches (71 cm) wide. Align the raw 28-inch side edges.
Pin securely along these two 28-inch side edges.
Stitch down both side seams, using a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance.
Crucial: Leave a 5-6 inch (12.7-15 cm) opening along the center of one of these side seams. This opening is absolutely crucial for turning the bag right side out later. Backstitch well at the beginning and end of your stitching around this gap.
Create boxed corners on the lining bag just like you did for the exterior bag (Step 3), ensuring they are the same depth (3 inches / 7.6 cm in from the corner point).
Do NOT turn the lining bag right side out. Keep it inside out.
.jpg)
Step 5: Combine Exterior and Lining
Keep the exterior bag turned right side out.
Keep the lining bag turned inside out.
Carefully insert the exterior bag into the lining bag, so that the right sides of both bags are facing each other.
Align the top raw edges of the exterior bag and the lining bag. Make sure the side seams of the exterior match up with the side seams of the lining. The handles of the exterior bag should be tucked down between the exterior and lining layers.
Pin securely all around the top raw edge of the bag.
Step 6: Sew Top Edge and Finish
Stitch all the way around the top edge of the bag, using a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
Clip curves/trim bulk: If you have any slight curves, clip into the seam allowance (without cutting stitches) to help the seam lie flat when turned. Trim any excess bulk from the seam allowance, especially where the handles are attached.
Step 7: Turn Bag Right Side Out & Close Opening
Reach into the opening you left in the side seam of the lining (from Step 4).
Slowly and carefully pull the entire bag (exterior, lining, handles – everything!) through this opening until it is completely right side out. This can be a tight squeeze, so be patient.
Gently push out all the boxed corners of the main bag and the lining, using a point turner or a blunt object (like a chopstick) to make them crisp and well-defined.
Close the Lining Opening: Go to your ironing board. Press the raw edges of the opening in the side seam of the lining under by 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) so they meet neatly. Align these pressed edges and pin or clip them together. Stitch this opening closed by machine (sewing very close to the folded edge for a neat finish) or by hand using an invisible ladder stitch for a truly seamless look.
Finally, push the lining down into the main bag, ensuring it sits smoothly inside and the corners align.
Give your finished tote a good final press to remove any wrinkles and make it look crisp.
Congratulations! You've successfully sewn a durable, simple, and easy-to-use large upcycled tote bag! This versatile bag is perfect for all sorts of uses and showcases your creativity and commitment to sustainable crafting.
What kind of unique upcycled material did you choose for your bag?
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment