I love bags! I especially love making my own bags. My kids recently asked me to make a bag for them and I cannot wait to show you what I made. I’m going to show you How To Make A Reversible Tote For Kids! This is a kid-sized bag for your children. Mine love it and use it for their toys, books, and crafts. They take it everywhere we go and it is perfect for when I take them running errands. This is a simple sewing project perfect for beginners. You only need to make a few straight stitches and I walk you through how to make the boxed corners for the bag step-by-step. The bag has a free sewing pattern that you can print out below to help you cut out your fabric. You can even let the kids pick out the fabric for their own bag if you want. It makes it more fun for them and they feel like they are more a part of the experience. I used some medium-weight fabric to give the bags a little bit more durability due to the hard use the kids will put them through. I made one for each of my kids. You could make an extra to give to one of their friends.
You’ll only need a few supplies for this project. You’ll need some coordinating fabric for the lining and outer part of your bag. You’ll also need some thread and some basic sewing tools like fabric scissors, pins, and something to measure with. I recommend picking up a rotary cutter, mat & ruler as it makes cutting out your fabric a breeze. Once you have your supplies gathered up, let’s get started!
What You’ll Need:
- 1/3-yard cotton or medium weight home decor fabric in 1st pattern/color (Outer)
- 1/3-yard cotton or medium weight home decor fabric in 2nd pattern/color (Inner)
- 1/3-yard light or medium weight fusible interfacing
- Kid’s Reversible Tote Bag Pattern PDF
- Matching Thread
- Sewing Clips
- Fabric Marker
- Turning tool
- Sewing Machine
- Iron or heat press
- Thread Clippers
- Scissors
- Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat, & Ruler
How To Make A Reversible Tote For Kids
The first step in making a reversible tote for kids is printing your Kid’s Reversible Tote Bag Pattern PDF. You can take this time to wash, dry, and iron your fabric if you want. This process acts as a preshrink for your fabric and makes it nice and soft. Just be sure not to do this with your interfacing. Once your have your fabric prepped and your pattern cut out, use the pattern to cut 2 pieces of each fabric and the interfacing.
Next, cut one 3”x20” strip from each fabric you are going to use.
Place one piece of the interfacing on the wrong side of each of the outer pieces. Press with a warm iron.
Now we will start putting this fun bag together. With right sides together, pin or clip the Outer pieces together.
Using a ¼” seam allowance, sew along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Repeat for the Inner pieces.
Instructions for the Boxed Corners:
Lay your reversible bag for kids on a flat surface. Using your hands, push out the corners of the bag and using your fingers or a warm iron, press open the corner seams.
Line up your seams and measuring 1.5” from the tip, sew a straight line. Repeat on the other side.
Trim the seams of the bag so it is easier to turn right side out. You will do this in a later step.
Instructions for the Straps:
To make the straps for this easy sew reversible kids bag, place the two strap pieces right sides together and using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew along one side.
Press the seam open with a warm iron.
Next, fold each side over ½” and press with a warm iron.
Fold the strap in half, with pressed sides aligned and press with a warm iron.
Using a ¼” seam allowance, use a straight stitch to close the open side of the strap. If desired, topstitch the closed side and close the two short open ends. Now your straps are done!
Instructions for Putting the Bag Together:
Fold over the top of each bag piece ½”, from the right side over onto the wrong side. Press with a warm iron.
Turn your outer pieces right side out, while leaving the inner piece wrong side out. Slide the inner bag into the outer bag. Line up the side seams and pin or clip into place. Pin or clip the rest of the bag. Find the middle of the end of your strap and line up with the side seam. Slide the strap about ¾” in between the bag pieces and pin or clip into place. Repeat on the other side with the other end of the strap.
Using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew around the perimeter of the bag.
Topstitch 1/8” around the perimeter of the bag.
And that’s it! Now you know how to make a reversible tote for kids! This is a great little bag that is just the right size for your little ones. My kids love these and I made one for each of these. Pick out some fun fabric and sew up some of these for your kids.
If you liked learning how to make a reversible tote for kids, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, be certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How To Make A Reversible Tote For Kids
Sew up the cutest little tote for your kids. Kid-sized for big fun!
Materials
Tools
Instructions
- Print and cut your Kid’s Reversible Tote Bag Pattern PDF
- Using the pattern, cut 2 pieces of each fabric and the interfacing. Cut one 3”x20” strip from each fabric.
- Place one piece of the interfacing on the wrong side of each of the outer pieces. Press with a warm iron.
- With right sides together, pin or clip the Outer pieces together. Using a ¼” seam allowance, sew along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Repeat for the Inner pieces.
- Lay your bag on a flat surface. Using your hands, push out the corners of the bag, and using your fingers or a warm iron, press open the corner seams. Line up your seams and measuring 1.5” from the tip, sew a straight line. Repeat on the other side. Trim the seams.
- Place the two strap pieces right sides together and using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew along one side. Press the seam open with a warm iron.
- Next, fold each side over ½” and press with a warm iron. Fold the strap in half, with pressed sides aligned and press with a warm iron.
- Using a ¼” seam allowance, use a straight stitch to close the open side of the strap. If desired, topstitch the closed side and close the two short open ends.
- Fold over the top of each bag piece ½”, from the right side over onto the wrong side. Press with a warm iron.
- Turn your outer pieces right side out, while leaving the inner piece wrong side out. Slide the inner bag into the outer bag.
- Line up the side seams and pin or clip into place. Pin or clip the rest of the bag.
- Find the middle of the end of your strap and line up with the side seam. Slide the strap about ¾” in between the bag pieces and pin or clip into place.
- Repeat on the other side with the other end of the strap.
- Using a 1/4” seam allowance, sew around the perimeter of the bag. Topstitch 1/8” around the perimeter of the bag. Enjoy!
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