Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

As you all know, I have a closet full of remnants and am always looking for things to make with them.  Remnants are the last yard or less of fabric left on a bolt that is sold for half price at your local fabric store. In this case I happened to have some blue faux suede and blue and white floral fabric so I decided to sew a basic tote out of remnants.  I used some yellow batik for the lining and some blue strapping for the handles.  You could always make the handles from the blue suede but I had the strapping on hand so I used that instead. If you don’t have a stash of remnants like I do head over to Fabric.com or use this 40% off Hobby Lobby coupon to purchase the items you need for this project.

What You will Need:

  • 1/2 yd. or remnant of faux suede
  • 1/2 yd. or remnant of Floral Fabric
  • 1/2 yd. of interfacing.  I used Pellon SF 101.
  • 1 yd. or remnant of yellow batik
  • 2 yds. of strapping or additional faux suede for handles
  • Standard sewing supplies
Sew a basic tote using remnants
What you will Need: Basic Tote

Step 1: Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

Cut two pieces of the faux suede 10 “x 18″.  Cut two pieces of the Floral fabric 8 1/2″ x 18″.  Cut two pieces of the lining fabric 18 1/2″ x 18”.  Cut the Strapping in half so that you have two pieces measuring 36″ each.

Step 2: Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

Fuse the interfacing to the floral fabric.

Step 3: Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

Measure in 5 1/2″ from each side of the floral fabric and place the strapping or handles so they are centered at the 5 1/2″ mark.  The strapping should form a loop that will be the handles.  Measure down 1″ from the top and mark.  Sew the strapping to the floral fabric up one side and across at the 1″ mark and down the other side.

sew a basic tote using remnants
Add the Handles

Step 4: Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

With right sides together and using a 1/4″ seam allowance sew the faux leather to the floral fabric at the bottom.  Press the seam toward the faux leather and top stitch 1/8″ from the seam on the faux leather side.

sew a basic tote using remnants
Top stitch along the seam

Step 5: Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

With right sides together sew the two pieces together around the sides and bottom.  Box the corners by pinching the bottom to the sides lining up the seams.  Turn right sides out and set aside.  This is the exterior bag.

Sew a basic tote using remnants
Box the Bottom

Step 6: Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

With right sides together sew the two lining pieces together at the sides and the bottom but leave an opening in the center of the bottom seam for turning.

Step 7: Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

Insert the exterior bag into the lining so that they are right sides together.  Sew around the top of the bag.

Step 8: Sew a Basic Tote Using Remnants

Pull the outer bag through the opening in the lining.  Push the lining into the exterior bag and press.  Top stitch around the top and sew closed the opening in the lining and you have finished your basic tote.

Sew a basic tote using remnants
Turn the Bag
Sew a basic tote using remnants
Finished Bag

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