Notebook Tote Bag Tutorial

We are so excited to share with you a new tutorial! This Notebook Tote Bag is perfect for carrying around music, books, notebooks – and even Halloween Candy! It is a beginner friendly pattern that sews up super quick! This cutie also makes for a great gift for friends and family. We have included a link to a PDF Pattern Download and that you can print and keep on file. And of course, share with you sewing friends. Keep reading for the step-by-step guide below.

Notebook Tote Bag PDF Download: Notebook Tote Bag Tutorial

Basic Pattern Details:

Finished Size: H: 15” x W: 12”

Difficulty: Beginner

Seam Allowance: 1/4” throughout pattern

Dimensions: are written height x width throughout instructions.

Materials:

Eighteen 5.5” x 4.5” Assorted Fabrics in Quilters Weight Cotton. We used assorted fabric from Tilda for this bag. 1/2 yard Coordinating Lining Fabric in Quilters Weight Cotton

1/2 yard Woven Fusible Interfacing (such as Pellon SF 101). One yard belting.

Supplies:

This tutorial requires basic sewing tools - ruler, scissors, rotary cutter, pins, and an iron.

Fabric Sides:

Cutting:

For the Exterior Fabric cut out 18 blocks to H: 5.5” x W: 4.5” in size. For the Interior Lining Fabric and Woven Fusible Interfacing Cut to H: 15.5” x W: 12.5”. For the Belting cut two pieces to 15” in length.

Step 1:

Cut out all parts of this pattern.

Step 2:

Arrange Fabric as shown below.

Step 3:

Sew both the front blocks together and then the back blocks together with a 1/4” seam allowance.

When pressing, nest the seam. See diagrams below. Follow red arrows for seam direction.

Step 4:

Iron Fusible Interfacing to both WRONG sides of the sewn Exterior Fabric.

Step 5:

Face RIGHT SIDES of Exterior Fabric together, lining up all the sides evenly. Pin to hold in place. Sew along the two long sides and along the bottom of width. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to hold stitches in place.

Step 6:

Face RIGHT SIDES of Interior Lining Fabric together, lining up all the sides evenly. Pin to hold in place. Place two pins along the bottom width approximately 4” apart. You will not sew in this space. Sew along the two long sides and along the bottom of width making sure to not sew in the 4” gap. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to hold stitches in place. Press open 4” gap seam.

Step 7:

Turn Exterior Bag RIGHT-SIDE OUT. Attached belting handles to bag. Place handles just left & right of center block. Pin to hold in place. With an 1/8” Seam Allowance, tack handles to bag. Repeat on both sides of Exterior Fabric.

Step 8:

Place Exterior Fabric - RIGHT SIDE OUT - into the Interior Lining Fabric - WRONG SIDE OUT. The RIGHT SIDES of both fabrics should be touching each other. Make sure the handles are tucked inside the lining.

Step 9:

Pin along top edge of fabric, lining up Exterior and Interior side seams. Sew with a 1/4” seam allowance along entire top edge of fabric. Backstitch at the beginning and end of seam to secure stitches in place.

Step 10:

Pull Exterior Fabric through 4” gap of Interior Lining. Either hand stitch or machine stitch 4” gap closed with an 1/8” seam allowance. Tuck Interior Lining Fabric into Exterior Fabric.

Step 11:

Press top edge of bag. Sew along top edge with an 1/8” seam allowance around entire circumference.

Congratulations! You’re finished!

We created this tutorial to be shared. Sewing is a passion for us, and we love to create projects for our sewing community. Please pass this tutorial on to your sewing friends. If there are any projects you need help with or would like to see a tutorial for, please let us know. It is a joy to work with our fellow sewists and create handmade fabric pieces.

 If you make a Notebook Tote Bag, please tag us on Instagram @little.fabric.shop so we can see your work and we can share your creativity to inspire other makers. Happy Sewing!