Follow This DIY Sewing Pattern​ to Create a Cute Zipper Tote Bag

Today, I want to show you how to make a tote bag with a zipper.

This is a purse sized tote in canvas with webbing trim. It has one inner and two outer pockets and an unusually shaped handle.

Tools and materials: 

• 10 - 12 oz canvas
• Cotton lining
• Fusible interfacing
• 13 3/4” (35 cm) zipper
• 1 1/4” (3 cm) wide webbing strap
• 1 “ (2.5 cm) wide herringbone twill tape
• Fabric marker
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Fabric clips
• Iron
• Sewing machine

1. Tote bag sewing pattern

Cut one piece of canvas, one piece of lining and a piece of fusible interfacing, each 22 7/8” by 15 3/4” (58 cm by 40 cm). 

Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the canvas.

Fold the canvas in half widthways.

Mark out a 2” by 1 1/2” (5 cm by 4 cm) rectangle on both folded corners.

Measure 1 1/4” (3 cm) in from each side on the upper edge.

Join each mark to the outer edge of a rectangle with a straight line.

Cut along the lines to create the bag shape.

Use the canvas as a template to shape the lining.

2. Outer pockets

Cut out a piece of canvas 17 3/4” by 13 3/8” (45 cm by 34 cm). 

Iron a piece of interfacing 17 3/4” by 6 3/4” (45 cm by 17 cm) to the upper half of the canvas on the wrong side.

Fold the remainder of the canvas up over the interfacing and press.

Cut a length of twill tape about 2 inches (5 cm) longer than the longest edge of the canvas.

Sew the tape over the long open edge of the canvas.

Trim the ends of the tape.

Fold the canvas in half lengthways and mark the center.

Place the pocket centrally on the right side of the canvas, 2 3/8” (6 cm) from the upper edge and sew in place down the center of the pocket.

Fold the pocket in half widthways and mark 1” (2.5 cm) from the fold on the upper and lower edges.

Sew the edges of the pocket together at the marks.

Open out the pockets and press the pleat flat.

Sew the lower edge of the pockets to the bag.

Align the sides of the pockets with the side edges of the bag and sew.

3. Handles

Cut two pieces of webbing strap 23 1/2” (60 cm) long.

Fold the straps in half widthways and mark 4 inches (10 cm) from the fold on the upper edges.

Fold the straps in half lengthways between the marks and sew.

Sew the ends of each strap securely to the top and bottom of the bag on the right side, 2 1/2” (6.5 cm) from each side edge.

4. Assemble the bag

Sew the bag side seams, with the right sides together.

Sew the edges of the cut-outs together to make a flat base.

Turn the bag right side out.

5. Lining

Cut a piece of lining 11” by 12 5/8” (28 cm by 32 cm). 

Fold in half widthways with the right side inside and sew the open edges, leaving a small opening.

Turn right side out and top stitch the folded edge.

Sew centrally to the bag lining, 3 1/8” (8 cm) from the upper edge.

Complete the assembly of the lining as you did for the bag.

Place the lining inside the bag with the wrong sides together and sew around the upper edge.

6. Insert the zipper

Cut a piece of canvas 2” by 2 3/4” (5 cm by 7 cm).

Press the two short edges to the wrong side.

Fold the tab in half widthways with the right side inside and stitch.

Turn the tab right side out and sew it over one end of the zipper.

Cut two strips of canvas and two strips of lining 11 3/8” by 1 1/4” (29 cm by 3 cm) and two pieces of interfacing 10 5/8” by 1 1/4” (27 cm by 3 cm). 

Iron the interfacing centrally to the back of the canvas.

Press the short edges of the canvas and lining to the wrong side.

Pleat the open ends of the zipper into a curve, and sew.

Place the zipper on the right side of the lining and cover with the canvas.

Sew close to the edge.

Fold the lining under the canvas and top stitch.

Repeat on the other side of the zipper.

Sew the zipper panels to the inside of the bag with the wrong sides together.

Tuck the free end of the zipper inside the bag.

7. Finishing

Bind the top edge of the bag with the twill tape.

Tote bag sewing pattern​

I love the design and color scheme of this DIY zipper tote bag. It’s stylish and practical, and easy enough to make for all sewists.

Just take your time sewing the canvas and make sure to use the correct needle.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this project in the comments below.