How to Sew a Fun Canvas Tote Bag With Pockets​

Today I have a new design for you! A canvas tote bag with pockets outside and inside. It also has a flap closure with magnetic buttons.

Tools and materials:

• 14 oz canvas
• Cotton lining
• 1 1/4” (3 cm) wide webbing strap
• 2 magnetic buttons
• Fabric marker
• Ruler
• Fabric clips
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

1. Cut out the fabric

Cut out the canvas and matching lining pieces as shown in the diagram.

You will also need two pieces of canvas 4 3/4” by 4” (12 c by 10 cm) for the flap and two strips of webbing each 43 1/4” (110 cm) long.

2. Bag outer

Place one of the large canvas pieces with one of the longer sides at the top.

Mark 1 5/8” (4 cm) from the corners along the top edge and 3/8” (1 cm) from the bottom along each side edge.

Join the marks with straight lines and cut out.

Use this piece as a template to cut the second large canvas piece and both the matching lining pieces to the same size.

3. Outer pocket

Mark 1” (2.5 cm) from the side along the top edge of one of the 8 5/8” (22 cm) square pieces of canvas.

Join with straight lines to the lower corners and cut out.

Fold in half lengthways and mark out a 1 1/8” (3 cm) square on the top folded corner.

Draw a straight line from the open corner to the inner edge of the square, and curve the line.

Cut out along the curve.

Open out the canvas and place it on top of one of the matching lining pieces, with the right sides together.

Stitch along the curved edge.

Trim the lining to the curve and cut notches into it.

Fold the lining under the canvas and top stitch around the canvas edges.

Trim the lining to fit the canvas.

With right sides uppermost, place the pocket centrally on one of the canvas outer pieces, aligned with the lower edge.

Top stitch the pocket in place.

4. Flap closure

Attach a magnetic button centrally on one of the outer bag pieces, 2” (5 cm) from the top edge.

Fold one of the canvas flap pieces in half along the longer side and cut a curve into the outer third.

Open out the piece and attach the second magnetic button centrally on the right side, 1 1/8” (3 cm) from the curved edge.

Place it on top of the second flap piece with the right sides together and sew together, leaving the lower edge open.

Notch the curves and turn the flap right side out.

Top stitch around the seam.

Attach the flap centrally to the right side of the second canvas outer piece.

5. Handles

Draw lines parallel to the side edges of the canvas outer and 1 3/4” (4.5 cm) from the sides.

Place the outer edges of the webbing strap inside the lines and sew in place, leaving the top 1 1/8” (3 cm) of the webbing unsewn.

Attach the second strap to the other outer in the same way.

6. Side panels

Place one of the 7 1/2” by 13 3/8” (19 cm by 34 cm) canvas pieces in portrait mode.

Mark 3/4” (2 cm) square on the bottom corners.

Place marks on the top edge, 2 inches (5 cm) from each side and connect them to the outer corner of the squares.

Cut out the shape.

Cut the second canvas piece and matching lining pieces to the same shape.

7. Side pockets

Place one of the 7 1/2” by 9 1/2” (19 cm by 24 cm) canvas and lining pieces together with the right sides facing and sew together along the top edge.

Fold the lining to the wrong side and top stitch the seam.

Mark 3/4” (2 cm) squares on both lower open corners and cut them out.

Make a second pocket to match.

Place a pocket on each side panel, lining up the cut outs and the side edges.

Top stitch in place, following the line of the cut outs. Leave the top edge open.

8. Assemble the bag

Place the 14 1/8” by 5 7/8” (36 cm by 15 cm) canvas base piece with the right side uppermost.

Put the side panels on top with the right sides together and the base of each side panel aligned with the sides of the base.

Sew in place.

Attach the side panels to one of the canvas outer pieces, with the right sides together.

Sew one edge of the base to the outer, lining up the seams.

Place the second canvas outer on top and attach it to the sides and base with the right sides facing.

9. Inside pocket and lining

Fold the 12 1/4” (31 cm) square lining piece in half with the right side inside.

Sew the open edges together, leaving a small opening on the longer side.

Snip the corners and turn the pocket right side out. Top stitch the folded edge.

Sew it centrally to the right side of one of the lining pieces, as shown.

Attach the lining side pieces to the base as you did with the outer bag and assemble the lining in the same way, leaving a small opening in the base seam.

Turn the lining right side out and place it inside the bag.

Sew the top edges together.

Pull the bag right side out through the opening in the lining and sew the lining closed.

Top stitch around the top edge of the bag.

DIY canvas tote bag with pockets​

Although this isn’t a beginner project, the steps are easy to follow. You can add closures to the pockets if you wish.

Please let me know what you think in the comments below.