Tutorial for sewing a tote bag in fabric lined with a bottom

This sewing tutorial explains how to sew a beautiful lined fabric tote bag with a bottom. The detailed steps include:

• how to sew a fabric bag with lining
• how to attach handles to a fabric bag
• how to attach an inner bag pocket with zipper
• how to sew the bottom of the tote bag

This tutorial accompanies the models of Fibra Creativa PRINTS tote bag kits, which include the printed fabric of all the pieces to make the fabric bag. The instructions remain valid for making a lined fabric bag with a bottom using fabrics and supplies of your choice, although the kit makes the process much easier.

Tote bag sewing tutorial: supplies to make this fabric bag with lining and bottom

You basically need a Ready-to-sew Tote Bag Kit, to choose from several models in our shop.

Here is the list of supplies included in the sewing kit. The printed pattern depends on the bag model you choose, with the materials and sewing method remaining the same:

A large piece of fabric ready to sew (approximately 145×90 cm), in thick organic cotton twill including all the pieces needed to sew the bag:

• The 2 outer sides and the bottom of the bag
• The 2 sides of the lining and the inner bottom
• A large outer pocket and its lining, plus an inner pocket
• 2 long handles

For the finishes, the following are provided in the Fibra Creativa sewing kit:

• A magnetic button for the outer pocket
• A zipper to close the inner pocket

No pattern is necessary if you use the sewing kit, as all the bag pieces are printed on the organic cotton twill fabric panel, ready to cut. The thick fabric gives good structure to the tote bag without needing interfacing.

You will only need in addition:

• sewing thread
• your usual sewing supplies (scissors or cutter, pins or clips, etc.)
• machine sewing strongly recommended (honestly, we haven't tried sewing the bag by hand) equipped with a zipper foot.

How to sew your lined fabric tote bag with bottom [sewing tutorial]

There are different techniques to sew a tote bag. In this tutorial, I explain the method the simpler and safer (after testing several) to make a beautiful fabric tote bag, with lining, bottom, and pockets, step by step.

If you are used to sewing fabric bags, you can of course use the kit as you wish and make any modifications you like.

Tote bag sewing tutorial step 1: Cut the fabric bag pieces

Cut out all the bag pieces exactly on the border line, with scissors or a rotary cutter. A 1 cm seam allowance is included.

Tip: each piece comes with its name printed on the fabric, which you can cut to create labels. Pin each label to the corresponding piece, so you can easily find your way during bag assembly.

Tote bag sewing tutorial step 2: Prepare the tote bag pockets

This tote bag has 2 fabric pockets: a large outer pocket (covering the width of one side) and a zippered inner pocket. You need to prepare the pockets before assembling the body of the bag (afterwards, it would be very complicated or even impossible).

A pocket closed with a zipper is very practical and easy to achieve by following the step-by-step instructions. However, to simplify, it can be replaced by an appliqué pocket. To do this, simply fold 1 cm over the top of the pocket piece and sew to form a hem. Then fold 1 cm on each remaining edge, press with a hot iron to crease, place the pocket in its place on one side of the lining, and secure it with a stitch. Quick and super simple!

2.1. Inner zipped pocket

Take the back of the lining (LINING BACK), the inner pocket (INSIDE POCKET), and the 18 cm zipper.

If you have never installed a zipped pocket, this tutorial by Professor Pincushion explains all the steps very well in video. Summary below.

On the wrong side of the pocket, mark with a pencil 2 cm from the top edge three horizontal lines spaced 5mm apart to mark the zipper placement. Pin the pocket to the lining, right sides together, centered horizontally and about 3 cm from the top edge. Sew around the zipper placement following the lines.

Cut along the center line forming a triangle at each end, and turn the pocket through the opening. Press the edges of the pocket on the right side of the lining with an iron. Pin the zipper in place on the wrong side, and sew all around. On the wrong side, fold the pocket fabric in half and sew around to close the pocket. Set this piece aside until step C.

2.2. Outer pocket of the tote bag

We will now use the outer front of the bag (FRONT) and the outer pocket (OUTSIDE POCKET).

First, fold the pocket in half, wrong sides together, and sew 2mm from the top edge.

If you want the seam to be invisible, separate the pocket and its lining, then sew the top edges right sides together, and make a support stitch, which will be invisible on the right side.

It's time to place the magnetic button, before attaching the pocket to the front of the bag.

Now place the pocket (OUTSIDE POCKET) on the front of the bag (FRONT), so that the pocket covers the front. Align the bottom edges and sides, and make sure the prints line up exactly on the top edge of the pocket (where my finger points in the photo). Pin or overlock the edges, and set aside. The pocket will be sewn at the same time as the body of the bag in step 4.

Tote bag sewing tutorial step 3: Sew the fabric bag lining

Generally, to sew a lined fabric bag, you start with the outside before sewing the lining. But in this case, the outside and lining are made from the same fabric and are sewn identically, with one detail difference. So starting with the inside allows practice, especially sewing the bottom. This way, any small flaws will remain hidden deep inside the bag!

In this step, we attach the 2 inner lining pieces (LINING FRONT and BACK) to the inner bottom (LINING BOTTOM).

Take the lining side to which you attached the zipped pocket (LINING BACK), and mark the center of the lower edge.

A simple way to mark the center: fold the fabric in half and press with a fingernail to mark the crease.

Also mark the center of one long edge of the lining bottom (LINING BOTTOM). Place the 2 pieces right sides together, edges aligned and centered, pin and sew, starting and ending 1.2 cm from each end.

Repeat the operation with the other lining piece (LINING FRONT) and the other long edge of the bottom (LINING BOTTOM). You should then have the 2 lining pieces, with the images facing opposite directions, and the bottom in the middle. Press the seams toward the bottom.

Fold the lining in half, right sides together, pin. Sew one side, then the other, leaving a 10 cm opening in the middle of one side (essential for turning the bag right side out at the end). Press the seams open.

Now finish closing the lining by sewing the 2 openings on the short sides of the bottom. Pin and sew slowly, this seam is a bit more delicate to get right. Press the seams toward the bottom.

Tote bag sewing tutorial step 4: Sew the outside of the bag

The outside of the bag is sewn the same way as the lining, so just repeat step C with the outer pieces, with a few minor differences.

First sew the side to which the outer pocket (FRONT) is pinned to the bottom of the bag (BOTTOM), making sure the pocket is securely caught in the seam. Then sew the other side (BACK) to the other long edge of the bottom.

Then sew the side seams, this time without leaving an opening. Close the bottom of the bag as shown in step C. For a neat finish and to reinforce the bottom, you can topstitch around the bottom edge of the bag (on the side fabric).

Tote bag sewing tutorial step 5: Sew the fabric bag handles

This is the penultimate step of the tutorial, we will prepare the handles so they are ready to be attached to the bag.

Cut the long STRAP piece in half lengthwise to have 2 handles of half the length. Fold 1 cm on the long edges, then fold the handles in half lengthwise and press with an iron.

To give even more stiffness to the handles, you can add interfacing, a strip of thick fabric, or a fairly rigid ribbon as shown in the photo below. (totally optional). In this case, cut the ribbon slightly narrower and 5 cm shorter than the handles, this makes attaching the handles to the bag easier later.

Close the handles by topstitching 2 mm from the edge.

Tote bag sewing tutorial step 6: Assemble the bag

At this point, we have the 2 fabric pieces of the bag (outside with bottom and lining with bottom) and the 2 handles. In this last step, we will assemble the fabric bag and attach the handles.

First, pin the handles on the outside of the bag , about 10 cm from the side seams of the bag, as shown in the next photo.

Now is the time to adjust the length of the handles to your liking if you wish. The handle fabric is long enough to allow adjustment.

Now, put the lining (with the wrong side visible) over the outside of the bag (with the right side visible), that is right sides together (photo below). Align the side seams and pin.

Tip: it’s better to place the outer and inner pockets on opposite sides of the bag, to avoid an accumulation of pocket contents on the same side over time. (Believe me, I didn’t pay attention for my first bag, the combined contents of the 2 pockets quickly become bulky.)

Sew all around the top edge of the bag, 1 cm from the edge.

And there you have it, all that’s left is to turn the bag right side out, by pulling all the fabric through the opening provided in the side of the lining.

And now the final touches: push the lining inside the bag. Press the top edge with an iron and topstitch 2 mm from the edge. And finally, don’t forget in your hurry to carry your new bag to close the opening left in the lining, with invisible hand stitches (more discreet) or by machine (faster), otherwise your small items might mysteriously disappear, falling between the lining and the bottom….

There you go! Your beautiful tote bag is ready to accompany you everywhere!

I hope this sewing tutorial has inspired you to sew more bags. Discover the entire collection of fabric bags in Fibra Creativa PRINTS sewing kits: lined tote bags with bottoms, small bags zippered pouches, easy-to-sew bags for beginners, and more!