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November 4, 2021 · Leave a Comment

The Best FREE All Purpose Tote Bag Pattern You’ll Ever Need

Favorites· My Favorite Travel Bags· O'er at the Pond· Project Posts· Quilting

From grocery shopping to road trip packing to quilt retreats, this bag fits them all!

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FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

So far I’ve made three of these fabulous tote bags and will probably end up making at least three more. They have a super strong base that will hold a ton of weight. In fact, I’ve filled them up with cans and jars at the grocery store with no problems.

Planning a road trip? This is your tote bag! Everything you need to keep in the car can be held inside these great bags.

Heading for a quilt retreat or quilt class? This is your tote bag! It will hold all of your supplies including these 12 x 12 plastic project boxes! Seriously, I have a TON of these boxes for my projects. Each one holds your 12 x 12 inch quilt blocks perfectly!


Tote Bag Pattern

This overall pattern is pretty simple to follow even if you’ve never made a bag before.

*All seams are 1/2 inch.

Materials

  • Main Fabric – 1/2 yard (Bag outside)
  • Lining Fabric – 1 1/4 yard (Bag inside and Outside Pockets)
  • Contrast Fabric – 1 1/4 yard (Handles and Bag bottom)
  • Pellon 50 Fusible Heavyweight Interfacing – 1 1/2 yards (20″ wide)
  • Coordinating Thread. I used Aurifil 50 wt. Black and Grey threads.
FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

Cutting:

  • Main Fabric:
    • Outside Body – 20 x 15 (x2)
  • Lining Fabric:
    • 20 x 40 (x1)
    • Outside Pockets – 8 x 18 (x2)
  • Contrast Fabric:
    • Handles – 4 x 48 (x2)
    • Outside Base – 20 x 12 (x1)
  • Fusible Heavyweight Interfacing:
    • 20 x 15 (x2)
    • 8 x 9 (x2)
    • 20 x 12 (x1)

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    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Instructions

    Following the directions for the fusible interfacing, fuse together one 20 x 15 fusible interfacing piece to the WRONG side of each 20 x 15 Outside Body fabric pieces.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter
    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Fuse one each 8 x 9 fusible interfacing to half of the WRONG side of each 8 x 18 Outside Pocket pieces.

    Fold each Outside Pocket piece in half, WRONG sides together.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Fuse the 20 x 12 Interfacing to the WRONG side of Bag Bottom Piece.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

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    Handles

    Fold each 4 x 48 Handle piece lengthwise, WRONG sides together and press.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Open the Handle piece and fold each side toward the middle lengthwise and press.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Fold the Handle piece in the center again creating a Double Fold. Press firmly.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Stitch along both sides of the Handle, lengthwise. Repeat with second Handle piece.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

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    Outside Bag Body

    Line up one pocket with the raw edges of the Outside body centers. Lay one Handle so the sides cover the side edges of the pocket. Line up all the raw edges at the bottom of each piece as shown. Pin in place.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Measure 1 inch from the top of the bag on the Handle piece as shown. This will make room to stitch the Lining and Bag Body together later.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Stitch each side of the Handles in place and across your drawn line at the top. * Be sure to leave that 1 inch open from the top of the Outside Body pieces.

    Repeat with second Outside body piece, Handle and Outside Pocket.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Place raw edges of Outside Base piece and one Outside Body piece, RIGHT sides together. Stitch along the bottom raw edges.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Press toward the Outside Base. Topstitch along seam.


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    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Repeat with second Outside Body piece and opposite raw edge of Outside Base.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Press toward Base and Topstitch along seam.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

    Fold the full Outside Body in half, RIGHT sides together. Stitch along each side.

    FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

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      Box Your Corners

      Fold one corner in to make a triangle. Measure 3 1/2 inches up from the corner point at the seam. Side to side should measure 7″. Draw a line across corner. Stitch ON your drawn line.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

      Fold stitched corner UP so that it lays flat against the Body side. Stitch to the side of the Outside Body. Repeat with second corner of Outside Body.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

      Turn Body RIGHT Side Out and set aside.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

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      Lining

      Fold 20 x 40 Lining fabric piece in half, RIGHT sides together to make a 20 x 20 piece. Stitch along each side, leaving approximately 6 inches OPEN on one side for turning.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

      Box the corners the same as you did with the Outside Bag Body pieces. Measure 3 1/2 inches UP. Stitch on drawn line.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

      Fold UP and stitch to the side of the Bag Lining. Repeat with second corner of the Bag Lining.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

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      Finishing Your Bag

      Place the Outside Bag INSIDE the Bag Lining. They should be RIGHT sides together. Line up the Side Seams and pin around the Top Edges. Make sure the Handles are tucked inside and free from the seam! Stitch around the entire Top Edge.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

      Pull the Bag RIGHT side out through the opening in the Lining.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter
      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

      Stitch Lining opening closed.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

      Tuck the Lining back inside the Bag. Press top edges firmly. Top Stitch around then entire Bag Top.

      FREE Tote Bag Pattern | Rona the Ribbiter

      That’s it! Now you’re ready to use your amazing All Purpose Tote Bag! From grocery shopping to Road Tripping to Quilt Shows and Retreats, this great basic bag is the perfect all purpose tote bag you’ll need!


      Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links. When you click and purchase an item I earn a commission at NO additional cost to you. I only recommend products and companies I personally use and/or have researched. The income raised goes to keeping the site up and running and community supported.


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      About Rona the Ribbiter

      I'm Ribbit! I’m a quilt pattern designer with a passion to see and experience all that life (and quilting) has to offer. From travel tips to destinations and ‘can’t misses’ we traverse the globe, one quilt adventure at a time!

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