How to Make a Chic Tote Tutorial - Sewing Project for Kids
Learn How to Make a Chic Tote in this Tutorial from Pixie Mandy's Projects. This sewing project is perfect for beginners and kids ages 6 and up. Photos and step-by-step instructions are taken from our sewing videos.
Hi, I’m so glad you want to start your sewing journey! My Chic Tote is just one of the many projects you can learn how to make. When you are finished make sure to take a photo so you can share it with everyone!
Pattern Template
You will need a piece of poster board, ruler, pen and paper cutting scissors to make a pattern template measuring 10 ½ x 15 inches. It is best to get help from an adult making this so your template is square. |
Step 1) Materials Needed
*2 fat quarters. One piece for the lining, and one for the outer bag. It is a nice idea to have 1 solid fabric and 1 patterned fabric *2 yards 1 1/2" lace |
Step 2A) Trace
Place the two fat quarters together (you will be cutting both pieces at once). Next, fold the two pieces of fabric in half. Place the pattern on top of your fabric, lining it up with the fold. Leave a 1/2" allowance on the bottom. Use your pen to trace around the pattern. |
Step 2B) Cut
Remove the pattern, and then begin to cut. (Tip: if you’re having trouble cutting through all of the layers, trace and cut your two pieces of fabric separately.) Next, cut up the sides of your fabric, along the fold. Now you should have 4 pieces all together: 2 lining layers, and 2 outer pieces. |
Step 3) Pin outside
Now it's time to pin! You'll start with the two pieces of outside fabric (you'll do the inside pieces next). Make sure that the right sides of your fabric are together. Starting with a red pin, place pins along three sides of your fabric, leaving one of the shorter sides open (this will be the opening of your purse). |
Step 4) Sew Outside
Place your fabric beneath the presser foot. Making sure to leave a 1/2" seam, lock-it-in and begin sewing. When you're 1/2" from the corner, hand crank your needle down, pivot your fabric, and continue sewing. Pivot again on the next corner, and sew until your red pin. Lock-it-in and clip your threads. |
Step 5) Pin Lining
Next, you will pin the lining. Again, make sure the right sides of your fabric are together. Start with a red pin, and pin along the three sides, just as you did with your outside fabric. Make sure that the edges of both pieces line up as you pin, and that the fabric lays flat. |
Step 6) Sew Lining
Just as you did with your outside pieces, leave a 1/2" seam, lock-it-in, and sew around the three edges of your lining fabric. Remember to pivot at the corners, and leave a ½” seam allowance. When you get to your red pin, lock-it-in and clip your threads. |
Step 7A) Forming Dog Ears
Next, you are going to do a cute little trick to give your tote a little more body. Take the outside piece of your tote. Pinch the two sides of your bag and pull them apart (or just place your hand inside of your bag), so that your bag is open. |
Step 7B) Pinning Dog Ears
Next, on one corner line up the bottom seam with the side seam, creating a pucker. Using your fingers, pinch the pucker so that it is about 1” long and forms a small triangle. Place a pin 1" from the corner. Now you have a small “ear” in the bottom of your bag. |
Step 7C) Pinning Other Ears
Make this same pucker on the other corner of the bag, making sure that it is the same length (1”) as the other ear. Repeat with the lining piece. Now, both your lining and your outside pieces should have cute little dog ears! |
Step 8) Sewing Dog Ears
Place your fabric under the presser foot and make sure to back-stitch. Then, sew straight across the bottom of your triangle ear. Sew to the end, lift your foot, flip your fabric, and sew to the other end. Repeat on the other side, and then repeat again with the two ears on your lining. |
Step 9) Clip
Use your scissors to clip off the points of your dog ears. Leave a 1/2" seam allowance, and be careful not to clip the thread that form the bottom of the triangle. Clip all four dog ears. They won't look like dog ears anymore, but they’ll be much easier to turn! |
Step 10) Turn
Grab the corners of your outside piece, and turn this piece inside out. Use your chopstick to push out the corners, though these corners won’t be as sharp as other corners you’ve done. There’s no need to turn your inside piece, so leave that one as it is. |
Step 11A) Inserting Lining
Take your lining piece and gently insert it inside of your turned out outside piece. Since they're both the same size, everything should fit together just fine. Line up the seams of your inside and outside pieces. |
Step 11B) Lining up Seams
If the seam of one piece of fabric is facing away from you, make sure that the seam that you’re matching it up with is facing the same way. You can place a pin in your seams on each piece of fabric, so that you know which way the seam is facing as you pin your two pieces together. |
Step 11C) Lining up Pieces
Next, pin your lining and outside pieces together at the top. Using your hands, gently work out the shape of your bag so that your fabric is lying flat and all of the seams, edges, and points are lining up for both of your pieces. |
Step 12A) Ironing Outside Piece
Now that everything is lined up, take the top of the lining layer and tuck it down into your bag about 4", so that it is out of your way. Next, take the top of the outside layer and fold it under 1". Take your iron and carefully press this seam down. |
Step 12B) Ironing Inside Piece
Next, you’ll want to turn and press the inside piece. Bring your inside layer back up, and then turn it under about 1” (the turned down piece should be facing the outside layer). Iron this fold down. Then, pull the outside layer back up, so that the two layers line up. It’s time to pin! |
Step 13) Pinning Top
At the top of your bag, line up the side seams of each layer, and put a pin in both seams (facing up and down). Next, place a pin in the center of each side (facing across). Make sure your pieces are lining up! Add 4 more pins in the empty spaces (8 pins total). |
Step 14) Inserting Lace
Cut your lace into 2 pieces. Then, remove one of the pins on a side seam, and insert one piece of lace into this opening. Insert it down 1”, and replace the pin. Insert the other piece of lace into the other side seam. Both pieces of lace should be facing the same direction. |
Step 15) Sewing Lace
Place the top of your bag beneath the presser foot. Leaving a ¼” seam, lock-it-in, and begin sewing a small stitch along the top edge (you can even do a zig zag stitch!) As always, make sure that everything is lining up and laying flat. Ask for help if you need it! |
Finishing Bag
If you’d like, you can do another seam just below that one, to make it very sturdy. To finish up, tie the two pieces of lace together. This makes the strap for your chic tote! You can make it a long strap or a short strap, depending on where you tie it. |
Finishing touches: Ribbon or Lace
You also have the option of adding a piece of lace or ribbon along the top of your bag. Simply line the lace or ribbon up to the top edge of your bag, pin it in place, and sew along the stitch you just made, so that your stitches blend together. |
Finishing Touches: Rosette
Another option is to add a rosette to one or both sides of your tote. You can either hand stitch a rosette on, or you can simply use a safety pin. That way, you can easily pin the rosette on either side of the bag, whenever you like. |
All Done!
Wonderful work, everyone! You’ve just made a fabulous reversible tote (so, really, 2 totes in 1!) and I hope you have fun adding your own personality to it with ribbon or lace, or whatever else you want to add! I’m sure all of your friends are going to love your stylish and fun Chic Tote. |
