Scrap Tote pdf pattern

Create a bag from your fabric scraps!

Supplies

1/2 yard of cotton fabric for the bag exterior (BE)

1/2 yard of cotton fabric for the bag lining (BL)

Optional: two 4” x 14” pieces of a different fabric for the handles

Cutting tools: scissors, rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, and cutting mat

A sewing machine

A fabric marking pen or pencil

Sewing pins

Cutting

1. Cut: 2 squares 14” x 14” for the bag exterior

2 squares 14” x 14” for the bag lining

2 rectangles 4” x 14” for the handles

2. Place your two lining squares right sides together and your two exterior squares right sides together.

3. Use a pencil and a small ruler to mark a 1 1/2” square at the bottom corner of one of the sets of squares. Cut out the 1 1/2” square through both layers.

Repeat to cut a 1 1/2” square from the bottom of both exterior pieces and both lining pieces.

4. Pin the exterior pieces together along the side edges and the bottom edge. Pin the lining pieces together the same way.

You’ll sew these together after making the handles.

1. Fold both 4” x 14” strips of fabric in half lengthwise (wrong sides together) and press. Open and fold the long raw edges to the center and press again. Fold in half and press again to make two 1” x 14” strips.

2. Top stitch along both long edges of the strips, about 1/8” from the sides.

Set the handles aside for now. Make the handles

Sew the bag pieces together

Seam allowances are 3/8” unless otherwise noted.

Tip: The side edge of most regular sewing machine feet is 3/8” from the needle. Beginners will find this pattern easy to sew a straight seam by keeping the raw edges along the edge of the foot.

1. Sew the exterior pieces together along the side edges and the bottom edge with a 3/8” seam allowance. Press the seam open.

2. Sew the lining pieces together the same way, except leave a 4” opening along the bottom edge for turning. Press the seams open.

3. With the bag exterior still inside out, flatten the corner opening so the cut-out makes a straight line. The side seam should be lined up with the bottom seam. Pin the edges together.

4. Sew across the corner. Repeat to sew the opposite corner. Then sew both corners of the bag lining the same way.

Attach the bag handles

1. Turn the bag exterior right side out.

Use a pencil or the fabric marking tool to make two marks at the top of the exterior bag piece. The marks should be 4” from each side seam.

Turn the bag over and make the same two marks on the other side.

2. Pin a handle piece to the bag, centering the ends of the handle over the marks. The raw edges of the handle should line up with the top raw edge of the bag exterior.

3. Sew across the ends of the handle 1/4” from the top edge of the bag.

Repeat to sew the other handle piece to the opposite side of the bag.

Finishing the bag

1. With the bag exterior still right side out and the bag lining still turned inside out, place the bag exterior inside the lining.

Line up all of the edges and pin them together. Match the side seams.

2. Sew around the top edge of the bag with a 3/8” seam allowance.

Tip: If your sewing machine has a free arm you can use it to easily sew around the top edge of the bag.

3. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the bottom of the lining.

Another tip! Separate the bag exterior and lining as shown and press the seam that joins them flat. This will help make a nice crisp edge in a few minutes.

4. Tuck the edges of the opening to the inside. Sew the opening closed by hand or using a sewing machine, sewing close to the edge.

4. Push the lining inside the bag. Press carefully. Take care to press well around the top edge so that the seam is right along the top edge.

5. Topstitch around the top edge of the basket 1/4” from the edge.

And you are done!

Link to pattern by Caroline Fairbanks