What You'll Make and What You Need

A lined tote bag with interior pockets is a sturdy, practical bag you can carry groceries or books in. The lining hides seams and makes the bag last longer. The pockets keep small items from sliding around inside. You'll sew two fabric pieces together for the outer bag, two for the lining, add pocket pieces, and attach handles—all with a basic sewing machine and straight stitches.

Gather these materials before you start: two pieces of outer fabric (canvas or cotton blend works well), each 16 inches wide by 18 inches tall; two pieces of lining fabric, the same size; two pieces for pockets, each 8 inches wide by 10 inches tall; two strips for handles, each 4 inches wide by 24 inches long; thread that matches your outer fabric; a needle for your machine; pins; scissors; and a measuring tape. You'll also need an iron to press seams flat as you work.

Key Takeaways

  • Press all fabric pieces flat with an iron before cutting, so seams stay straight and the finished bag sits evenly.
  • Sew pocket pieces to the lining fabric before you attach the lining to the outer bag, so pockets are hidden inside.
  • Use a quarter-inch seam allowance throughout—measure from the needle to the fabric edge and mark it with tape on your machine bed for consistency.
  • Attach handles last, after the outer bag and lining are sewn together and turned right-side out, so they stay find.
  • Topstitch around the top edge of the finished bag to hold the lining in place and give the bag a polished look.

Prepare and Cut Your Fabric

Wash your outer fabric and lining fabric in warm water and dry them on low heat before you cut. This prevents the finished bag from shrinking unevenly later. Press both fabrics flat with a hot iron, paying special attention to wrinkles along the edges where you'll sew.

Cut your outer fabric into two rectangles, 16 inches wide by 18 inches tall. Cut your lining fabric the same size. Cut two pocket pieces, each 8 inches wide by 10 inches tall. Cut two handle strips, each 4 inches wide by 24 inches long. A rotary cutter and ruler make straight cuts easier, but scissors work if you measure carefully and mark your lines with a pencil first.

Sew the Pocket Pieces to the Lining

Lay one lining piece flat on your work table, right side up. Place one pocket piece on top of it, also right side up, about 2 inches down from the top edge and centered left to right. Pin the pocket in place along all four sides. Sew around three sides of the pocket—the left, right, and bottom—using a quarter-inch seam allowance. Leave the top edge open so you can put things inside the pocket.

Repeat with the second pocket piece on the second lining piece. Press both lining pieces flat with your iron so the pocket seams lie smooth. This step is done before you assemble the bag, so the pockets end up hidden inside where they belong.

Assemble the Outer Bag

Place your two outer fabric pieces right sides together, so the pretty sides face each other and the back sides face out. Pin along the left side, right side, and bottom. Do not pin the top edge yet. Sew these three sides using a quarter-inch seam allowance. Leave the top edge open—this is where you'll turn the bag right side out and insert the lining.

Trim the corners at a 45-degree angle, cutting about a quarter inch away from the seam. This reduces bulk so the corners lie flat when you turn the bag right side out. Press the seams open with your iron, then turn the bag right side out through the top opening. Use a blunt tool like a wooden spoon handle to push the corners out so they form sharp points. Press the entire bag flat.

Prepare and Attach the Handles

Take one handle strip and fold it in half lengthwise, right sides together, so it measures 2 inches wide by 24 inches long. Sew along the long edge using a quarter-inch seam allowance. Turn it right side out by pulling one end through—a safety pin pinned to one end and threaded through helps. Press flat so the seam runs down the center back of the handle. Repeat with the second handle strip.

Pin both handles to the inside top edge of the outer bag, positioning one handle 3 inches from the left corner and the other 3 inches from the right corner. The handles should point downward into the bag at this stage. Sew the handles in place with a quarter-inch seam allowance, then sew over the line again for strength.

Insert and Sew the Lining

Lay your outer bag flat, right side out, with the handles inside. Place your lining pieces right sides together (so the pockets face inward, toward each other). Sew the left, right, and bottom of the lining using a quarter-inch seam allowance, just as you did for the outer bag. Trim the corners and press the seams open, but do not turn the lining right side out yet.

Slip the lining inside the outer bag, so the lining and outer bag are both right side out and nested together. The handles are now sandwiched between the outer bag and lining. Pin the top edges of the outer bag and lining together all the way around. Sew them together using a quarter-inch seam allowance. This seam holds everything in place and closes the bag.

Finish the Top Edge

Press the top seam flat with your iron. Topstitch around the top edge, about a quarter inch down from the seam you just made. This second line of stitching holds the lining in place so it does not shift when you carry the bag, and it gives the top a clean, finished look. Backstitch at the start and end to lock the thread.

Turn the bag right side out if any part is still inside out, and press the entire bag one final time. The handles should now point upward from the top edge, and the lining should be hidden inside. Reach in and make sure both pockets are accessible and sewn securely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fabric weight works best for a tote bag?

Canvas or heavyweight cotton blend (at least 10 ounces per yard) holds its shape and carries weight without sagging. Lighter quilting cotton works if you use two layers or add interfacing, but the bag will feel floppy. Avoid stretchy knits—they distort as you sew and wear.

Can I use the same fabric for the lining and outer bag?

Yes, but a contrasting lining fabric looks more polished and makes it easier to find things inside. If you use the same fabric, choose a print or color that hides stains, since the lining takes more wear from items rubbing against it.

How do I fix a pocket that came loose?

Reach inside and resew the loose edge by hand using a ladder stitch, which is nearly invisible. Thread a needle, knot the end, and run the needle through the fold of fabric on one side, then across to the opposite fold. This closes the gap without showing stitches on the outside.

What if my handles are too short or too long?

Measure from your wrist to your shoulder while holding the bag at your side—that is your ideal handle length. If your finished handles are too short, cut longer strips and start over. If they are too long, you can shorten them before sewing them to the bag, or fold the excess under when you attach them.

Do I need a serger or special presser foot?

No. A basic sewing machine with a standard presser foot and straight stitch is all you need. A serger finishes raw edges more neatly, but it is not required. If you want to finish edges without a serger, trim them with pinking shears or fold them under before sewing.