Tote bags are so useful and eco-friendly. For those reasons a stylish and well constructed tote bag in canvas will be a work-horse for years to come. I only purchase tote bags that will stand the test of time. Tote bag canvas is an excellent choice for this end.

LLBean tote
Note: My LLBean tote does not have a zipper. Zippers where not available in the old days, but that is a nice option.
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Our 30 years ago I purchased my first tote bag from LLBean and I am still using it today. It has been around the world and it still has years of use left. To that end I would guess that LLBean totes could last a lifetime.
Tote Bag Canvas Design
However, over the past 30 years the styles have changed and I wanted to make a canvas tote and add a vinyl design with my Cricut Maker (oh the places we will go) so I turned to our team’s graphic designer and Cricut expert, Olivia, for the vinyl design. That was easy!
Fabric Selection
If you have been reading the blog then you know I LOVE twill since it has the three strands of yarn woven to form the rib pattern and it is tough, but I decided to construct this tote from canvas I thought it might look better with a vinyl design. You can find my secret source for canvas HERE. For the handles I used webbing.
Tote Bag Canvas Cut Plan
The cut plan is the Holy Grail of sewing. You will love having a cut plan for each project since you can make adjustments before cutting. You know that old saying measure twice cut once? It applies to fabric too.
Size and Shape
First information you will want to write down on your cut plan are the finished face size measurements. I wanted a finished size of 16″ by 16″, so I wrote that down and a 4″ bottom. You can see in the photo below that my cut plan is nothing fancy, but it has saved me time and helped me to avoid wasting fabric.

Cut plan
The width of the cut fabric needs to be 18″ which includes seam allowances.
Since I wanted a finial size of 16″ by 16″ I added 2″ to account for the 1/2″ seam allowances. The 16″ is doubled since it will be folded over and 4″ bottom is added the header to the length of the bag.
My tote bag canvas fabric is solid so I could make it all in one piece.

Fabric, cut plan and chalk marker
I like to measure the fabric to help me decide which way to cut out my tote bag canvas (I am making 10 totes) so I need to save fabric.

Measuring the fabric
After getting my fabric thread perfect the fabric can still seem a little out of square for that reason I like to use a ruler that can guide me to make my cuts as square as possible.

Squaring the fabric

Marking the rectangle for the tote bag canvas

Cutting on the chalk marks

My tote bag canvas is ready to serge
Nylon webbing handles
After cutting out my tote I cut the nylon webbing into 27″ lengths (you will need two 27″ lengths per tote) with a hot knife.

Cutting nylon webbing with a hot knife
I placed a pin in the center of my tote bag canvas tops and then from the center I measured out 3″ on both sides to find where to pin the nylon webbing handles to the fabric.

Deciding on placement for handles

Serging the handles and canvas
Next, I tuned down one inch of the fabric to form a header and carefully ironed only the canvas to crease the fold.

Measuring the one inch fold over heading

Both sets of handles sergred

Stitching the header and handles
Using a magnetic guide to ensure that my header has a consistent stitch line.

Sewing a second stitch line
Adding another line of stitching for extra strength.

Header finished

Folding the bag in half

Measuring for Cricut design placement
Now I am ready to figure out where I want to place my vinyl design. If you are not adding a design omit this step.
With the tote folded in half measure up 2″ from the bottom (see the blue pin below) and then measure from the blue pin to the bottom stitch line of the header and find the center. Mark the center with chalk

Finding the center for my Circut design

Marking for Circut design placement
Adding the vinyl design

Lining up the design for placement

Placing the ironing pad under the tote

Placing the Teflon sheet on top of design before ironing

Ironing the design with Easy Press 2 Iron
After thehttps://fave.co/2y4dyC7 design is pressed on start to carefully peel away the carrier plastic sheet. Olivia added an additional layer.

Adding a special holographic to the design

Fold tote with right sides together

Pin sides
Fold the tote bag in half with the right sides pin then sew.

Forming a point at the bottom side seams

Measure up 2″ from the point

Make a chalk line across the triangle area at the 2″ mark pin and sew.

Pin across the stitch line

Bottom view

Side view of bottom corner stitch line

Finished tote bag
Below you can see the finished tote bag canvas held by Olivia. It is a perfect size for all her goodies. Notice the length of the handles (we cut them at 27″ each) and they fall at a comfortable place for her. Check the handle length by placing the webbing over your shoulder before cutting to see where you want it to fall.

Tote bag finished

Six finished bags
Olivia used these bags as her swag bags for the Haven Conference. The bags are filled with amazing goodies she created as well.
We were having so much fun styling with our custom made tote bags Patrick decided to join us.
Supplies
- Canvas fabric
- Webbing
- Chalk
- Chalk maker
- Scissors
- Hot knife
- Yardstick
- Sewing machine
- Magnetic seam guide
- Serger
- Pins
- Heavy thread
- Cricut Maker
- Easy Press
- Pressing pad
- Teflon pressing sheet
- Vinyl
- Ruler 4′
- Quilting ruler
- Ruler 6″
You might also like these easy sew patterns:
Su-sieee! Mac says
I can’t have enough strong totes. Your instructions are easy to follow. I like that you give clear photos for the steps. Thanks!
Kimberly says
Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoy making tote bags too.
Have a great weekend,
Kippi
agnes says
Another wonderful project!! Love it even more because it is mother- daughter collaboration.LOVE IT!
Kimberly says
Thank you so much for stopping by. I love creating with my daughter it is some of the best times.
Have a great day,
Kippi
Jenn Summers says
Love this so much! What an amazing tutorial and so easy to follow. I really love the colourful handles they give them such a pop. Great job Kippi!
Kimberly says
Jenn you are so kind to stop by and leave a thoughtful comment.
I hope you have a great weekend,
Kippi
Trina says
Wow! Easy peasy…if you see!???? I would love to have been the brand receiving these!
Kimberly says
Thank you so much for stopping by. I wish I got one of those bags too.
Have a great week,
Kippi
Rebecca says
Great tote tutorial! I love the custom length…it looks so stylish over Olivia’s shoulder. It was so nice to meet you and your family at Haven, Kippi. Thanks for all the great advice!
Kimberly says
Thank you so much for stopping by and for the kind comment. I really enjoyed meeting you too.
Have a great day,
Kippi
Elise L Ho says
The totes are so cute. I am impressed by your handiwork.
Kimberly says
Thank you so much for your comment it really made my day!
Have a great week,
Kippi
Michelle says
Excellent tutorial! I am pinning it. I may need to make some totes one day.
Linda says
Thank you for sharing on the Classy Flamingos Blog Party. http://poinsettiadr.com
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared.