How to make an easy reversible tote bag

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If you’re a sewist, chances are you’ve got a pretty hefty stash of fabrics sitting at home – just waiting to be made into something. We all do, right?! Well, this reversible tote bag is a great way to make use of that fat quarter or half metre you’ve been saving for something special. (But be sure to check out my other free sewing projects for more ideas!).

To make this tote, you’ll two types of fabric. I think it works best with one patterned side, and one plain side. For my pattern side, I went loud! I used this incredible colour block linen – which I bought it from IKEA, of all places! Bold colours, white background, geometric shapes and a chunky grid pattern… as soon as I saw it, I knew I needed it!

This project uses a French seam, which is a really handy technique to master. It encloses all raw edges of a seam, so the project can be double sided. I’ve combined the classic French seam technique with a simple tote bag tutorial to make a reversible tote bag.

If you’re pretty comfortable with a sewing machine, you could easily make one of these totes in an hour.

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How to make an easy reversible tote bag

Supplies and tools

• Two fabrics (82cm x 42cm of each). Heavy cotton/linen or similar is best.
• Fabric for the straps (66cm x 16cm)
• Ruler
• Fabric scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine and thread

Tutorial

1. Cut out two long strips of your strap fabrics, so they each measure 66cm x 16m.

2. Fold the long edges of the strap fabric pieces inwards, so they meet in the middle and they become 8cm wide.

3. Then fold the straps in half (again along the long edge) so they become 4cm wide. This will trap the raw edges in the middle.

4. Press the folded straps, then pin and sew along the full length of each one, removing the pins as you go. This will leave you with two 66cm x 4cm straps, hemmed along the long edges and un-hemmed at the short edges.

5. Cut your main fabrics (both patterns/colours) into long rectangles, measuring 82cm x 42cm each. If you have a large print (like my colour block grid fabric), pay attention to the pattern. Try to cut it so the pattern is central, of possible.

6. Lay one of your fabric pieces on the table or floor, face side up. Take one of the straps and position the ends along the short edge of the larger fabric piece. Position the ends of the strap approximately 14cm from the outer (long) edges of the larger fabric piece.

7. Put the other large piece of fabric on top of the first piece (face side down), so it sandwiches the strap in the middle. The two large fabric pieces should be aligned neatly, with right sides facing, and one strap in between.

8. Pin the top (short) edge of the two larger fabric pieces together, along with the first strap. Be careful not to knock the strap out of position – keep each end of the strap 14cm from the outer edge of the large fabric.

9. Sew along the pinned edge, removing the pins as you go. Do not sew down the longer sides.

10. Repeat the same process for the other end of the large fabric pieces. This time, sandwich the second strap in the middle – again, make sure it points inwards, so it’s completely hidden between the two large fabric pieces.

11. When the second edge is sewed in place, turn the whole thing inside out through one of the long edges. This will reveal the straps. You should be able to see the basic reversible tote bag shape coming together now!

12. Fold the piece in half along the short edge, so the two straps meet. It doesn’t matter which side faces outwards, as the finished tote bag will be reversible. 🙂

13. Next, pin the folded piece together along the sides. Sew them with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, removing the pins as you go. Trim these ends, leaving approximately 1/4 inch allowance.

14. Turn the whole bag inside out. Normally, this is where you might leave it. But we’re going to go one step further and turn the sides into French seams, so it’s reversible.

15. To add the French seams, simply sew the sides of the bag again, this time 1/2 inch from the edge. Because this seam allowance is larger than the one you trimmed it to in step 13, the raw edges will be trapped and hidden.

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I think this reversible tote bag was the perfect use of this colour block fabric, don’t you think?! And because I made the reverse side from a plain navy, the bag itself if pretty versatile.

These totes would make a really good gift too, especially if you find a bold fabric that the recipient would love! Because even if you misjudge it slightly, they can always turn it inside out and use the other side… 😉

Don’t forget to PIN the image below, so you can make your own reversible tote bag later!