A Travel Tote for All Seasons

The latest from Sew Me Mine Boutique is a travel tote for all seasons.  It is a zippered tote with four pockets that is large enough to carry everything you need for a weekend out or anytime you need a little extra room.  This tote is not a beginner project but anyone with intermediate sewing skills should be able to put this bag together in no time.  Like all of the items I feature in this section, you can make it yourself or head over to my Etsy shop and purchase it from me.  The choice is yours. 

I had this fabric on hand but if you need fabrics for this project head over to Hobby Lobby or Fabric.com for the perfect fabrics for your travel tote.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What you will Need:

• Pattern
• 1 yd. of exterior fabric
• 1 yd. of lining fabric
• 1/4 yd. of contrasting fabric
• 1 yd. medium weight fusible interfacing like Pellon 808
• 1 22″ zipper
• 2 9″ zippers
• Standard Sewing Supplies

Step 1: A Tote for all Seasons

Cut out the pattern pieces.  You will need to cut two of the exterior fabric and two of the lining fabric and two medium weight fusible interfacing.  Cut 2 pocket lining pieces and 2 matching pieces of medium weight interfacing that measure 13″ x 13″ for the zippered pockets. Fuse the interfacing to both pocket lining pieces and to the exterior pieces.

Using interfacing is a simple process.  The interfacing has one side that contains glue.  Place your fabric wrong side down on the glue side of the interfacing and press with a hot iron until the two become one. the interfacing itself will have instructions on exactly how to use it.

Step 2: A Travel Tote for all Seasons

On one of the exterior pieces you will place a zipper pocket.  Measure 1 1/2″ down from the top and 2 1/2″ from the side of the lining piece to place the zipper then follow my tutorial on how to add a zippered pocket.  You will place the lining piece 1 1/2″ from the top and 4 1/4″ from the sides of the exterior piece.

Step 3: A Travel Tote for all Seasons

Take a piece of lining fabric and add a zippered pocket in the same way that you added the pocket to the exterior bag piece.  This time, measure down 2 1/2″ from the top and 4 1/2 ” from each side to place the lining piece.

Step 4: A Travel Tote for all Seasons

Next, place a slip pocket on the other side of the lining.  Measure two pieces of either the lining fabric or the main exterior fabric that measures 9″ x 8″ and sew them together leaving an opening for turning.  After sewing turn it inside out and top stitch along the top.  Place the slip pocket 4″ down from the top and 5 3/4″ from the sides and attach along the sides and bottom.  This will close the opening.

Step 5: A Travel Tote for all Seasons

Make the straps.  Cut two pieces 5″ x 34″ of contrasting fabric.  Fold them in half lengthwise.  Then fold the raw edges toward the center by 3/4″.  Place a 3 1/4″ piece of medium weight interfacing between the folds and fuse according to manufacturers directions.  Fold in half again. Tuck the raw edges under and top stitch along the long edges.

Step 6: A Travel Tote for all Seasons

Place the handles on the exterior of the bag measuring 2 1/2″ from the top and 4 3/4″ in from the side top edge.  Secure the straps by sewing a square with an X inside.  Be careful not to sew over the zipper pocket.

Step 7: A Travel Tote for all Seasons

To add the top zipper sandwich the right side of the zipper between the right side of one exterior piece and one lining piece.  Sew using a zipper foot. Do the same to the other side of the zipper and the remaining exterior and lining pieces. Top stitch over the both sides of the zipper for a neat professional look and to prevent the zipper from catching the lining.

Step 8: A Travel Tote for all Seasons

Place the exterior pieces right sides together and the lining pieces right sides together and sew all the way around the bag leaving an opening in the lining for turning.  I left a large 8″ opening in mine because of the size of this bag.

Step 9: A Travel Tote for all Seasons

Box the corners of the exterior bag and the lining 2″ up from the points of each corner.  Close the opening in the lining using mattress stitch. I added a zipper pull to the front zipper and to the top zipper.  You can embellish your bag anyway you like.