Market Tote Bag: A Lined Sewing Pattern with Pocket and Boxed Bottom

My market tote lives on a hook by the back door. It carries farmers market haul, library books, a quilt in progress and, once, an entire watermelon. I designed this pattern after sewing a few too-small totes that tipped over in the car, and the fixes are all built in: a boxed bottom so it stands up, a lined interior so the seams are tidy, and canvas straps cut long enough to wear on a shoulder.

Why you should make it

A tote is the best second project. It uses the same straight seams as a pouch, and it teaches you four things you will use for every bag after: fusing interfacing, making straps, boxing corners and joining a lining to an outer. The finished size is 14 inches wide, 14 inches tall and 4 inches deep, with a shoulder drop of about 11 inches.

Skill level: beginner. Time: 2 to 3 hours. Seam allowance: 1/2 inch.

Materials

• 1/2 yard of gingham, home decor cotton or linen blend for the outer
• 1/2 yard of quilting cotton for the lining and inside pocket
• 1/4 yard of cotton canvas or twill for the straps
• 1 yard of medium weight fusible interfacing
• All purpose thread, a denim needle for the thick seams, clips and an iron

What is in the pattern

The PDF is seven letter size pages. You get the cutting chart with every piece listed by width and height, a layout diagram drawn to scale on 45 inch fabric so you can check yardage before you buy, a notes page with seam allowance and prewashing advice, and nine numbered steps, each with its own drawing: fuse the interfacing, make the inside pocket, press the straps, sew the outer, box the corners, sew the lining, attach the straps, join the lining and outer, and turn and topstitch.

A few things I learned the hard way

Cut the strap strips along the length of the fabric so they do not stretch. Press the box corner seams open before you stitch across; it removes bulk and makes the bottom flat. Pin the straps with the loops hanging down inside the bag, otherwise you will sew them twisted and have to unpick. And use a denim needle when you stitch over the strap ends.

Make it yours

Change the straps to 36 inches for a longer drop, add a magnetic snap at the top center, or use two prints, one on each side. Cut the outer from a heavier fabric and skip the interfacing for a casual canvas look.

Get the pattern

The Market Tote Bag pattern is an instant PDF download for personal use. Print it at 100 percent on letter paper and you can start cutting tonight. Your purchase includes the free Sewing Project Planner, ten pages of project sheets, stash inventory and a cutting grid.