Canvas Shopping Tote Tutorial

Recently I was shopping at Trader Joe's with my oldest and she noticed my canvas shopping bag from them. She proclaimed it as hers. In my head I'm like no, that's my favorite, then I thought. You can make your own!

This is such an easy project. One yard of canvas fabric of your choice and a sewing machine. That's all you need. Now if you happen to have a serger, pull that baby out. It'll create a professional finish. But don't fret if you don't have a serger. I will tell you how to finish it without one. 

Materials:

• 1 yard canvas fabric (featured Ruby Star Society)
• thread of choice (I prefer Aurifill)

Let's dive in! This bag finishes at 18 1/2" wide by 14" tall by 4"deep.  It's a great size that will fit a lot. Like an entire dinner plus more. You can easily adjust the size to meet your needs.

Cutting:

• Bag Main: cut (2) 19 1/2" x 19 1/2" 
• Straps: cut (2) 3 1/4" x 28" 

Directions:

Using a quilting ruler, measure, mark and cut a 2" square on the bottom corner of each bag panel. This will create the gusset, which gives our bag the depth. Want a deeper bag, cut the squares larges. 

Place fabric right sides together and sew down the side seams and along the bottom using a 1/2" seam allowance. Finish sewn edges either by running through a serger or using pinking sheers.

At one of the cut-out corners, bring raw edges together and align at seams. Sew using a 1/2" seam allowance to create a boxed corner. Repeat at the other corner.

Finish top edge of bag by either using a serger or pinking sheers.

With wrong side out, fold over top edge of bag 1" and press. Top stitch 1/4" from top edge, then 1/4" from bottom of folded edge.

To make straps fold in half lengthwise right sides together and press. Stitch 1/4" to create tube. Use your favorite turning tool or safety pin to turn the straps right side out. Press with seam in the center of the strap. Top stitch each strap 1/4" from both edges.

Keeping bag wrong side out, mark 4" from each side seam. Place strap seam side facing up at the left mark, then attaching the end of that strap to the other mark on right. Repeat on other side of tote. Sew each strap onto the bag creating a box with an "X" in the middle to secure straps. 

Turn right side out, press and that's it! As Ina would say, how easy was that?

Tag and share your makes with me on Instagram.  I would love to see!

XOXO- Christine