How to make a large denim tote bag
Create yourself a stylish large denim tote bag with this free tote bag pattern. The large handbag is made with a variety of upcycled materials, with hand stitching for embellishment, your own padded handles and a magnetic closure.
This bag is inspired by one similar spotted on Pinterest – unfortunately, I have no record of this bag. If you think it was your bag that inspired this one please contact me so that I can give proper credit for the inspiration.
If you love bag pattern check out all my free bag patterns and tutorials.
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How to make a large denim tote bag
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- 32 by 54 cm fabric (this is for the bottom of the bag)
- 9 by 54cm 2 pieces of fabric11 by 54cm 2 pieces of fabric
- 16 by 54cm 2 pieces of fabric
- Fusible fleeceHandles
- 2″ by 28″ twice for fusible fleece
- 2″ by 30″ twice for the fabric
Tab Closing
- 15 by 11cm lining fabric with heavy weight interfacing
- 15 by 11cm denim with heavy weight interfacingLining
- 54 by 94 cm lining fabric with heavyweight interfacing
- 23 by 31cm lining fabric for pocket one
- 36 by 46cm lining fabric for pocket two
- 33cm zip
- 20cm zip
To make:
Outside of the bag
layer your fabrics as per your finished bag, creating one long rectangle, this will be approximately 92cm by 54cm. Stitch together allowing 1 cm seam allowance.
Hand stitch with running stitch 3mm from the seam.
Embellish the front of your bag by placing your three squares of fabric as is pleasing to you. Stitch the squares on. Handstitch your own design onto your squares. I have used simple stitches and french knots for the design shown.
Iron on your fusible fleece on the back of your pieced bag fabric
Fold the bag fabric in half, lining up your fabric seams along the sides.
Stitch the side seams.
Next create the base. Iron the fold at the bottom of the bag, this gives you a neat crease. Fold the side seam of the bag to the crease.
Mark a 3″ seam with taylors chalk. Stitch and trim the corner off.
Repeat for the other corner. Turn the bag right side out.
Create the flap closure. Mark the point for the magnetic snap 3.5 cm from short edge and centrally between the side edges on the lining (with heavy weight interfacing attached). Insert magnetic snap.
Place right sides together of fabric flap.
Stitch three sides. Trim seam allowance.
Turn right side out and top stitch round the edges.
Place centrally and baste into place along the top of the rear of the bag.
Mark the point for the magnetic snap on the front of the bag, and insert.
Bag handles – create you bag handles. See my tutorial on So Sew Easy. Place on the bag 8cm down from the top and 10.5 cm in from the sides of the bag. Sew on, I suggest sewing a a rectangle and sewing across it diagonally to add strength.
Lining – adhere heavy weight interfacing to the fabric. Create two zipped pockets. Place centrally 8cm down from each short edge.
Join the sides of the lining together, and then create the corners for the bag base, following the instructions as for the main bag.
Place the lining inside the bag – right sides together. Stitch the top of the bag all round, except for a four inch gap for turning right side out.
Turn right side out, and then top stitch along this seam. One finished bag:)
If you love repurposing denim as much as I then check out my popular sashiko tote bag pattern, or how about a small cross body bag emnbellished with hand embroidery? Check out my pinterest board for many free bag patterns.
This post is linked up on All Free Sewing – do check out the website, its full of free inspiring sewing projects.
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39 responses to “How to make a large denim tote bag”
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I love this bag!! xx
Thanks Elizabeth:)
Love the combination of fabrics and the hand stitching, Vicky. A great bag!!!
Thanks Pam – I enjoyed the handstitching, makes a change for me:)
love this! what a great way to use up some of those old blue jean legs I’ve been stockpiling. This tote would be so versatile and handy. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Glad you like it – enjoying making your own version:)
Hey love the bag is cm is measure as inches
Vicky, I love this bag and you write a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Maria, glad you like it:)
This is great, thank you 🙂
You are welcome:)
What a great size!
Thank you:) – perfect for amy kids drinks, cardigans and everything else they wish me to carry for them!!
Beautiful bag Vicky, love the mix of fabrics and the sweet embroidery embellishments .
Brill tutorial, thanks! It’s a good-looking bag. And I also adore all of the tweedy bits and pieces in your Etsy shop!
sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo inspiring. God bless
Thank you so much:)
Love this bag! The handstitched details make it especially precious. Would you use embroidery thread for those?
You could do:) I used a quilting thread as it was to hand!
Vicky it’s great to see up cycled items. We make woven rag rugs and they are a great seller. Keep up the great work . Ellie
That’s a super cute bag! I love it. I love the colors and I love that you used denim too. Job well done!
Hi, Vicky! This is awesome – I really love the minimalist yet sweet design of the bag! Great tutorial, it is def something i want to try.
Hi Vicky, this bag is beautiful and such great pictures to follow.
This looks so stylish and I love your instructions. Please do pop over and join me for #Trash2Treasure it is a great way to upcycle fabric.
I like the bag post other patterns in future
Great bag Vicky! Those simple little embellishments really do make all the difference!
I make bags with this pattern but instead of cutting off the corners I sew the triangles along the bottom of the bag to make it a bit stronger.
That’s a great idea:)
Sure looks neat! How do I convert cm to yards/inches? Thank you!
LOVE this tote! I plan to make several, and to use them for grocery shopping bags!
I’ll make wider straps for comfort carrying heavy loads, & longer too so I can sew them down all the way to bottom of the bag.
‘Don’t want handles to tear off under heavy loads.
I may gift one to my sister for a beach bag, adding at least one outside picket.
Yes, one of the things I LOVE abt this bag is how easily adaptable it is!
Thank you c
This bag is very beautiful. The harmonious combination of ideas. I will make one myself.
love the bag how to convert cm into inches would love to make this bag thanks
The Denim Tote is a great pattern. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the metric system, and will not translate to English. Just a suggestion…put the metric and decimal dimensions in the pattern. I have a friend that might be able to help me. Thank you and God Bless
I LOVE this bag. With a wider bottom, say 4”-5” instead of 3”, and with slightly longer handles with a wider padded area at shoulders,
This is also an awesome bag for grocery shopping!! Sturdy, from the denim and linings, washable so it’s hygienic, recycling-green, and plain wonderfull cuz it’s denim.
Why do you use cm in instead of inches some people have to take the time to convert to inches and that takes time. Thank you.
Hi Vickie, I am live in the UK where we work in cm’s – I would love to find the time to convert all the bag patterns into both inches and cm’s so that everyone could easily use them.
I live in uk but as we only did feet and inches at school I have no idea of the size in cm.
Hi, I am working on having all the bag tutorials in both inches and cm’s 🙂
Thank you.