Making your own tote bags is a great way to use up some scraps and add some DIY flair to an everyday accessory.
Most totes are made of Fat quarters, scraps, or Orphan blocks, but why not make something that’s as eco-friendly as possible? You can save money by using scrap materials, and you’ll learn a lot while you’re at it.
Having experience working with sewing machines and reading patterns, we’ve rounded up some fantastic tutorials for you. These articles will teach you how to make custom totes for all occasions, from special events like weddings or baby showers to everyday uses like carrying groceries home from the market. Follow along with our step-by-step guides and soon you’ll be making your own quilted totes in no time!
I have included free patterns, video tutorials, and some paid patterns for quilted totes too.
Here are some great links to articles with step-by-step instructions and tutorials on how to make a variety of different types of totes:
Quilted Tote Bag Patterns Free
DIY Bag: Robot Tote — CraftBits.com
1 Hour Christmas Tote — CraftBits.com
Make A Chic Tote — CraftBits.com
Mary Poppins Eyelet Tote — CraftBits.com
Patchwork Tote Bag Tutorial – Confessions of a Homeschooler
Anchors Away Zipper Tote Bag Tutorial – Confessions of a Homeschooler
Quilt-as-you-go improv patchwork school bag – Sewn Up
Free Pattern for the Easy Quilted Tote Bag…(as promised) – Missouri Star Blog
Daydream Tote Pattern And Instructions — CraftBits.com
Ruffle Girl Tote Bag – Lovebirds Fabric – Clover & Violet
Last-Minute Gift Tutorial: Patchwork Tote – Clover & Violet
Sweet Treats Blog Hop :: Book Bag – Clover & Violet
Girls in the Garden: Charm Pack Bag – Tutorial
Free Quilted Tote Bag Tutorial Using the Modern Fans Pattern
Threading My Way: Fabric Basket with Drawstring Top ~ Tutorial…
Kids Mini Charm Patchwork Library Bag
Quilting Tutorial to make a Library Tote from scraps!
Small Squared Bottom Tote — CraftBits.com
Quilted Patchwork Bag Tutorial
Easy, Breezy Tote | AllPeopleQuilt.com
How To Make Quilted Tote with Uneven Stripes Online | JOANN
Jenny Doan & Crafty Gemini Quilted Tote Bag Tutorial
Basket Weave Quilted Tote – Sew4Home
Girls in the Garden: Charm Pack Bag – Tutorial
Quilted Jumbo Carryall – Sew4Home
La Conner Tote Bag Tutorial | Quilting in the Rain
How to Sew a Fabric Basket Tote {free sewing pattern}
1 Hour Quilted Tote Bag FREE sewing pattern
Paid and Etsy Patterns
The Quilted Traveler’s Tote
Quilt as you go Sophie tote bag
Leisure Arts Tote Bag
Video Tutorials for quilted tote bag
Easy Quilted Patchwork Tote Bag Tutorial
Patchwork Butterfly Tote Bag || FREE PATTERN || Full Tutorial with Lisa Pay
DIY TOTE BAG | Quilted Bags | Fabric scrap ideas | PATCHWORK QUILTING FOR BEGINNER
So there you have it. As a quilter, I am always looking for new and creative ways to use my skills and share my love of quilting with others. The 50 Quilted Tote Bag Patterns that I have gathered are a perfect example of how quilting can be used to create useful and beautiful items that can be enjoyed by many.
To increase productivity when making these bags, I suggest starting with simpler patterns and working your way up to more complex designs as you become more comfortable and confident with your skills. Using pre-cut fabrics like fat quarters can also save a lot of time, and having good quality quilting tools such as a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat can make a big difference in terms of speed and accuracy.
Another tip is to plan ahead, so before starting to work on a bag, I create a detailed plan for what fabrics I will use, how I will cut and piece them, and how I will lay out the bag. Having a plan in place can help me work more efficiently and stay on track. And also it is a good idea to keep a stock of quilted bags that can be ready to ship or sell.
Hopefully you found these are a great way for quilters to showcase their skills, creativity and passion for quilting.
Here are some more articles on tote bags we wrote about.
Book Review – Patchwork Quilted Bags: Totes, Purses and Accessories
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