Sew this grocery tote from two 35 × 45 cm patchwork panels, reinforce them with fusible interfacing, make a boxed bottom, add two handles cut from one 70 cm length of webbing, and finish with a lining containing one or two pockets.
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Things you will learn
Trim two outer panels and two lining panels to 35 × 45 cm.
Mark the boxed-bottom corners 5–6 cm from the point: a larger distance makes a wider bottom.
Cut one 70 cm length of webbing in half; leave 10–15 cm between the handle ends.
Finished grocery tote
A patchwork grocery tote with a reinforced body, boxed bottom, handles, and a lined interior with pockets.
Materials and tools
Materials
Fabric scraps, You can reuse fabric from old clothing.
Lining fabric, 2 pieces measuring 35 × 45 cm.
Pocket fabric
Webbing or trim for the handles, One 70 cm length, cut in half to make two handles.
Fusible interfacing or fusible woven stabilizer, Sized to fit the tote.
Tools
Sewing machine, For assembling the outer bag, lining, and topstitching.
Scissors, pins, or clips, For cutting and holding the pieces together.
Iron, For pressing seams and fusing the stabilizer.
Lighter, Use only on suitable synthetic webbing. Keep the flame away from the bag fabric and other flammable materials; do not heat-seal natural-fiber trim.
Files and resources
Grocery tote sewing videoAn external YouTube video thanked by the original post.Grocery tote sewing video
Sew the outer bag
Piece the patchwork panels
Sew the scraps together in a crazy-patchwork arrangement or another layout. Trim away bulky seam allowances, press the pieces from the wrong side, and square up the two outer panels to 35 × 45 cm.
Reinforce the panels
For greater durability, reinforce both outer panels with fusible interfacing or fusible woven stabilizer.
Sew the bag body and make the bottom
Place the outer panels right sides together and stitch three sides. Press the seams open. Fold each lower corner so the bottom seam is on top, measure 5–6 cm from the point, and draw a line. Stitch across both corners and trim away the excess. The larger the distance, the wider the bottom.
Attach the handles
Cut the 70 cm length of webbing in half. If it is suitable synthetic webbing, carefully heat-seal only the cut ends, keeping the flame away from the bag fabric; do not heat-seal natural-fiber trim. Position the handle ends at the top, with the cut ends pointing toward the raw edge, leave 10–15 cm between the handles, and stitch them 1 cm below the top edge.
Sew the lining and pockets
Prepare the pockets
Cut two lining pieces measuring 35 × 45 cm and one or two pockets 35 cm wide; choose the depth yourself. Turn and stitch the top of each pocket, turn the lower edge 1 cm to the wrong side, and press. Stitch around the perimeter for one pocket, or add a center seam to create two compartments.
Assemble the lining
Sew the lining as you did the outer bag, but leave an opening in the bottom for turning. Form the boxed corners.
Join the tote and lining
Sew the top edges
Turn the lining wrong side out and nest the outer bag and lining as shown in the photo, aligning their top edges. Pin or clip them together and stitch around the top edge.
Turn and close the opening
Turn the tote through the opening in the lining and close the opening by hand or machine.
Topstitch the top edge
Sew a securing and decorative line of topstitching 2 mm from the top edge.
Finish and variations
Variations
One-piece outer fabric
Instead of patchwork, the source suggests using one piece of fabric, a scarf, a shawl, or faux fur.
One or two pockets
Leave the pocket as one piece or divide it into two compartments with a center seam.
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