Sewing Two Cloth Totes

This week, I turned my focus to practical sewing by creating not one, but two cloth totes. Each tote had its own story and purpose, and I’m excited to share how they came together. If you’ve been looking for a fun and functional sewing project, these totes might just inspire your next make!

---

Tote #1: Following the Purl Soho Pattern

For my first tote, I followed a Purl Soho pattern. Purl Soho is well-known for their beautiful and thoughtfully designed patterns, and this one did not disappoint. The instructions were clear, and the finished tote turned out exactly (well almost) as pictured.

I ran out of cotton webbing so I used some heavy, vintage upholstery trim for the handles and love how it came out!

This tote was a great exercise in precision. I followed every step carefully, learning new techniques along the way. The result was a sturdy and stylish tote that could easily be used as a market bag, book bag, or a general-purpose carry-all.

What I Learned:

• Topstitching: This pattern emphasized the importance of clean, even topstitching to give the tote a sharp look.
• Structure: The design included details like reinforced corners and seams, which I’ll definitely incorporate into future projects.

While I loved the final product, the size wasn’t quite what I needed for my next purpose—a dedicated small project needlework tote. So, I decided to make a second tote with some custom tweaks.

---

Tote #2: My Needlework Tote Bag

The second tote was my chance to personalize the pattern to better suit my needs. I wanted something compact but roomy enough to carry small stitching projects, embroidery hoops, a few spools of thread, and my ever-present needle case.

How I Tweaked the Pattern:

• Adjusted Dimensions: I scaled down the width and height to make it more compact while still accommodating my supplies.
• For next time I will Add Inner Pockets: To keep things organized, I could definitely use a couple of interior pockets for holding scissors, needle case, and small tools.
• Heavy Iron-on Interfacing: I only had 10oz cotton duck on hand and I wanted a sturdy, rigid bag that wouldn’t collapse making it difficult to find things so I added the interfacing and it did it’s job!
• Reinforced Handles: Knowing this bag would get frequent use, I opted for sturdier handles by actually using heavy 1″ cotton webbing.

The result was a bag that perfectly fits my needs. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and keeps my supplies tidy and accessible whether I’m working in my craft room or heading to a stitching group.

My Favorite Features:

• The ability of the bag to stand up, making it easy to find things inside.
• The custom size makes it easy to grab and go without feeling bulky.

---

Reflections on This Week’s Challenge

This week reminded me of the joys of functional sewing. Creating something that you can use every day is so satisfying! By starting with a trusted pattern and then adapting it, I gained both confidence and a deeper understanding of how to modify designs to suit my needs.

If you’re thinking about making your own tote bag, I highly recommend starting with a basic pattern and then experimenting. Add pockets, play with fabric choices, or tweak the size—it’s a great way to make something uniquely yours.

---

What’s Next?

I’m planning to dive into an embroidery-focused project. Stay tuned as the challenge continues, and feel free to share what you’ve been working on in the comments below. Have you ever made a custom tote or tweaked a pattern to fit your needs? I’d love to hear about your experiences!

Until next time, happy stitching!

Jayne