Rather than spending money on a new, plastic bucket that will get thrown away each Halloween and Easter, why not make a kid-sized tote bag that will last for years?
Supplies:
Fabric 1 (main body fabric): two pieces 11″ h x 12.5″ w
Fabric 2 (liner and band): two pieces 14″ h x 12.5″ and two pieces 3.5″ h x 12.5″ w
Webbing: 22″ each strap or 1.25 yards for one bag
Fusible Fleece or Light/Medium Fusible Interfacing: two pieces 14″ h x 12.5″ w
1. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, place the 3.5″ strip on top of fabric 1 and straight stitch right sides together (RST). Iron the seam toward the darkest fabric. Repeat for the other 3.5″ strip and fabric 1. These are now your outer bag pieces.
2. Iron your outer bag pieces to your interfacing.
3. Place the outer pieces right sides together and straight stitch down both sides and the bottom. Make sure the seams are nice and flush. Use Wonder Clips or pins to hold the fabric in place while sewing.
4. Using a ruler and water soluble pen, draw a 1.5″ square on each corner of the bottom. Carefully cut the corners out.
5. Open up the square and place right sides together, butting up the seam. Straight stitch along the seam. Fix the stitch or back-stitch at the beginning and end.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 for the bag’s inner lining.
7. Add the straps to the outside pieces. Measure 2.5″ from each side seam and pin the raw edges in place. Use a small seam allowance to temporarily baste the strap in place.
8. (I am using Carli’s instructions on her Reusable Snack Bag Tutorial for this part) Flip the liner right side out and flip the outside piece inside out. Place the liner inside the outer piece. Use Wonder Clips or pins to hold the raw edges together and to ensure the side seams of both the outer bag and inner lining are matched up.
9. Increase your seam allowance to 1/2″. Straight stitch all the way around the top, leaving a 2.5″-3″ opening for turning right side out. Fix the stitch or back-stitch at the beginning and end. It helps to start and stop sewing between a set of straps.
10. Flip the bag right side out through the opening.
11. Iron the lining and outer pieces flat. Be careful not to touch the iron to your webbing!
12. Stuff the liner inside the bag. Set your seam allowance smaller than 1/4″ (I move my needle as far to the right as the foot will allow). Top stitch all the way around the top of the bag. Fix the stitch or back-stitch at the beginning and end.
I think he likes it! Well, maybe he likes the candy more but I like the bag!
Customize the fabric to suit you best! This bag would be perfect for Easter egg hunts, Christmas gift bags or for overnight stays at Grandma’s. Since each bag takes about an hour, it is easy to have one for every season!
If you are in need of some new Trick or Treat bags this year, I have some kits available in my Etsy store. You can choose from 15 different Riley Blake fabrics to make your own bag or purchase a completed bag!
Those turned out really cute. Great directions too. Might have to make myself a little tote since I’m too old to go trick or treating!
Thanks Mom 🙂
Hi my girls made these tote bags. After using them for 1 day, the nylon straps were ripping out. The stitching stayed, just the nylon came out. Any tips on how to keep that from happening or a way to fix it? Thanks
I am going to make handles with fabric instead
I burned my edges with a lighter, like you would ribbon, to keep them from fraying
Very cute. I just made one and it turned out good. thankyou
Love these bags!!
Yay Tracy! ?
Love the bag. Thanks for the instructions. I made my granddaughter one for Halloween. I did change it up slightly, made the straps out of fabric and flip flopped the narrow and wide colors. I also embroidered a name on the front. Thank you for the inspirations!
Great tutorial! Looking forward to making Halloween trick or treat totes for my 3 kiddos with your tutorial!
Beautiful Bag I loved it
Have you found the interfacing 100% necessary?
Hi Anna, the interfacing gives the bag body and stability. Not necessary, but a much nicer product.
Is the bag reversible?
No. It’s lined, but not reversible, Rebecca.
Can I ask why you have the cutting instructions saying to cut the liner fabric 14 inches and also the 3.5 inch band? The sewing instructions do not say to sew the band on – you say skip to # 3. I sewed it on and my lining is way too big???
Hi Anne, I’m getting ready to make this bag. I can answer your question. This bag has 2 coordinated fabrics: 1 for the outside (orange print); the other fabric (polka dot) is used for the inside & for the 2 BANDS that are sewn to the 2 OUTSIDE pieces of FABRICS for the bag.
Each of the 2 bands are sewn to the 2 OUTSIDE (11″x12.5″) fabric pieces(Step 1). This creates 2 outer pieces that are 14″ total (11″ + 3.5″ band = 14.5″ then subtract 1/2″ (this 1/2″ takes into account the 1/4″ seam on each fabric piece for sewing the band & outer piece together)….so the finished OUTER fabric pieces are 14″ in height (with an adorable coordinated band of fabric) The OUTSIDE of the bag is now the same size as the INNER LINING pieces: 14″. To adjust your bag & not waste the fabric: Use your seam ripper to carefully take the sewn band off of the inner lining. Now you can pin these band to your outside fabric & sew with a 1/4″ seam & you should be good to go. Hope this is helpful. Happy Reconstructing.