24 Best Tote Bag Sewing Patterns (12 FREE PDFs!)

Here are the best sewing patterns I’ve found for tote bags! I’ve covered different styles, sizes, formats (printed and PDF), and prices (free to paid). I’ve also rated them based on how beginner-friendly they are.

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Easy tote bags for beginners
Lined
Small / Mini
with Inside or outer pockets
with Flat bottoms
with Zippers
Quilted
Grocery / market bags
Triangle / origami bags

Easy tote bags for beginners:

Simple tote bag in 3 sizes – Simplicity S9308

3 simple tote bags in blue, yellow, and orange, and sewing pattern line drawings

Buy now from Simplicity – $13.97

Sizes: Small – 10.5 x 11” / 26.6 x 28 cm. Medium – 12 1/2″ x 13 1/2″ / 31.75 x 34 cm. Large – 14 1/2″ x 16″ / 37 x 40.5 cm.
Design: Traditional, simple style tote bag. Unlined. Large, wide handles. Inside pockets. 3 different sizes. Boxed corners to make the bag wider and increase storage space.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight woven fabrics. For example, cotton twill, denim, corduroy, or upholstery weight fabric.
Format: Printed pattern.
Instructions included? Yes. Instructions are included within the printed pattern.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, the pattern suggests this would be a great first project. The bag is a simple style and uses stable fabrics that are easy to work with.

Lined tote bag patterns:

Lined tote bag with side panels & flat bottom

3 tote bags, lined tote bag with oranges coming out, and sewing pattern line drawings.

Download now from Fabric.com. Read the sewing instructions – FREE

Sizes: Finished measurements aren’t provided, but based on the pattern measurements it’s approximately 14.5 x 14.5 inches / 37 x 37 cm.
Design: Simple, lined tote bag. Large size with side panels to give extra depth. Large, long handles. Flat bottom, but it’s an unstructured bag so it can’t stand by itself.
Fabric needed: The pattern suggests linen, but any medium to heavy weight woven fabric would work well. For example, cotton twill, denim, corduroy, or upholstery weight fabric.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home.
Instructions included? Yes. Instructions are included in the blog post here.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think this would be a good pattern for an adventurous beginner. They can learn how to line a bag and sew a flat bottom. The instructions in the blog post are clear with lots of illustrations, and a stable fabric can be used.

Structured tote bag with 2 inside pockets – “Buckley”

woman wearing a grey tote bag, inside pockets, and sewing pattern line drawing.

Buy now from Elbe Textiles – $2.50

Sizes: 15 x 13 x 4 inches / 38 x 34 x 10 cm.
Design: Simple, structured tote bag. Clean lines. Designed for heavier weight fabrics. Fully lined. 2 inside pockets. Long handles.
Fabric needed: Heavy weight woven fabrics. For example, denim, canvas, cotton drill, or upholstery weight fabric.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home (A4 or US letter), and A0 copy shop files.
Instructions included? Yes. Illustrated instructions are included in the digital download.
Suitable for beginners? I think an advanced beginner could have a go. The lining and inside pockets may be a bit tricky for a beginner, but there are illustrated instructions which should help along the way.

Wool tote bag with leather straps (+ video) – “Harris Tote”

Download now from Craftsy (video course included) – Price: a Craftsy subscription is needed ($8.99/month)

Sizes: 14 x 12 inches / 35.5 x 30.5 cm.
Design: Simple, structured tote bag. Clean lines. Designed for heavier-weight fabrics like wool. Fully lined. Inside pockets with zips. Leather handles with rivets.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight woven fabrics. For example, wool tweed, denim, canvas or upholstery weight fabric. Lightweight fabric, like quilting cotton, for the lining. Medium weight fusible interfacing and heavy stabilizer (like fusible foam or fleece).
Format: PDF digital download to print at home.
Instructions included? Yes. This pattern is bought as part of an online class, and full written instructions are included (without step-by-step pictures).
Suitable for beginners? No, this project suits intermediate sewists. The bag is made with thick fabrics, fully lined, has a pocket with a zip, and the leather handles are attached with rivets.

Small / Mini tote bag patterns:

Structured mini & large tote bags

large and mini tote bags with short handles

Download now from Hobbycraft – FREE

Sizes: Finished measurements are not given, but based on the pattern pieces, I’ve estimated the sizes. Small bag – 7.5″ x 9.5″ / 19 x 25.5cm. Large bag – 15.5″ x 19.5″ / 39 x 49.5 cm.
Design: Simple tote bag sewn from fat quarters. Structured using fusible fleece or batting. Boxed corners to make the bag wider and increase storage space, and allow the bag to stand on its own. Fully lined. Small handles. Small or large size bag.
Fabric needed: 2 to 5 fat quarters of quilting cotton, depending on the size. Fusible fleece or batting to structure the bag.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are included on the Hobbycraft website.
Format: This pattern isn’t downloadable. Cutting measurements are provided within the blog post.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think this would be a good pattern for a beginner to practice with. It would also be a good project for a child who wants to learn sewing. The design is very simple. The instructions are clear and include pictures, and cotton is an easy fabric to work with.

Tote bags with inside or outer pockets:

Tote bag with large front pocket & optional zipper top (+ video) – “Pepin”

Buy now from Noodle Head – $9

Sizes: 13.5″ x 12″ x 4″ / 34 x 30.5 x 10 cm.
Design: Classic style tote bag. Fully lined. Divided interior pocket. (Optional) zip closure at the top. (Optional) metal or magnetic snaps. Large outer front pocket. Long handles.
Fabric needed: The pattern recommends canvas or waxed canvas. Other medium to heavy weight fabrics could also be used like cotton twill or denim. Quilting cotton for lining.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home, or a printed pattern that gets shipped to you. However, there are no pattern pieces. Only cutting measurements and sewing instructions are included.
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated instructions are included with both methods of purchasing the pattern. There’s also a series of Youtube video tutorials.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think a confident beginner could try this pattern. The lining, snaps, and zipper closures may be a challenge, but the video tutorials should help.

Drawstring tote bag with front pockets (+ video) – “Firefly”

large and small tote bag in maroon red and blue with patterned front pockets and a drawstring inner bag and leather handles

Buy now from Noodle Head – $10

Sizes: 2 sizes. Small – 10″ x 8″ x 5″ / 25.4 x 20.3 x 12.7 cm. Large – 14″ x 10.5″ x 5″ / 26.7 x 12.7 x 35.6 cm.
Design: Rectangular tote bag in 2 sizes. Drawstring top closure. 2 front pockets: zipper and hidden slip version. Interior pockets. Leather or cotton webbing handles with rivets. Boxed corners to make the bag wider and increase storage space, and allow the bag to stand on its own. Can be simplified for an easier sew.
Fabric needed: The pattern recommends canvas or waxed canvas. A medium to heavy weight fabric could also be used like cotton twill or denim. Quilting cotton for the lining.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home, or a printed pattern that gets shipped to you. However, there are no pattern pieces. Only cutting measurements and sewing instructions are included.
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated instructions are included with both methods of purchasing the pattern. There’s also a series of video tutorials on Youtube.
Suitable for beginners? The pattern says “advanced beginner”. I think the rivets, lining, and zipper could be a challenge, but the free Youtube videos should help.

Bucket-style tote bag – “Jack Tar”

3 bucket tote bags in blue, green, and yellow on a pole, an inside view, and sewing pattern line drawing

Buy now from Merchant & Mills as a digital or paper pattern – £9.50 to £15 (approx. $12 to $19)

Sizes: 17″ x 18.5″ / 43 x 47 cm.
Design: Bucket-style tote bag. Magnetic snap closure. Carry handle and shoulder strap with rivets. Round, flat bottom. Slip front pocket. Fully lined. 3 internal pockets.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight woven fabric. For example, oilskin, sturdy canvas, cotton drill, or denim.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home, and A0 copy shop files. Or a paper pattern that’s shipped to you.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are included with the purchase.
Suitable for beginners? The pattern designer suggests that this bag is suitable for beginners. I think it would suit an adventurous beginner as there are no zip fastenings, but the magnetic snap closure and rivets could be tricky. You may want to skip those design features at first.

Simple tote bag with divided front pocket – “Wool & Wax”

woman holding a yellow tote bag with brown leather straps and front pockets, a green version, and an inside view

Buy now from Noodle Head – $7

Sizes: 13″ x 15″ x 3″ / 33 x 38 x 7.5 cm.
Design: Classic tote bag. Divided front slip pocket. Fully lined. Interior slip pocket. Leather handles with rivets. Boxed corners to make the bag wider and increase storage space, and allow the bag to stand on its own.
Fabric needed: The pattern recommends waxed canvas. Other medium to heavy weight fabrics could be used like cotton twill, cotton canvas, or denim. Quilting cotton for the lining.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home. Instructions and cutting measurements only (no printable pattern pieces).
Instructions included? Yes, illustrated instructions are included with the digital download.
Suitable for beginners? The pattern says its beginner-friendly. I think it would be helpful for the sewist to have some prior knowledge of sewing before attempting this bag. Sewing pockets, linings, and rivets, and working with waxed canvas could prove tricky.

Structured tote bag with front pocket

2 tote bags with leather straps and large front pockets. The left bag is in white and blue, and the right bag is in pink and navy print

Download now from Sew Can She – FREE

Sizes: 10.5″ x 13.5″ x 4.5″ / 26.6 x 34 x 11.4 cm.
Design: Classic style tote bag. Structured using fusible foam and interfacing. Divided front slip pocket. Fully lined. Inside pockets. Long handles. Magnetic snap fastening (optional).
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight fabric depending on how strong you’d like the bag to be. For example, quilting cotton, cotton twill, canvas, or denim.
Format: Dimensions for cutting each section are included in the blog post. A formatted PDF with the instructions can be purchased for an additional $2.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are included within the blog post here.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think this would be a great pattern for a beginner. The bag is a simple style with no zips, but the magnetic snap fastening and sewing multiple layers of fabric and foam could be a challenge. The instructions for the bag are clear with helpful images.

Tote bag with long webbing straps – “Railroad”

Download now from Purl Soho – FREE

Sizes: 12″ x 15″ x 4″ / 30.5 x 38 x 10 cm.
Design: Simple style. Long webbing straps. Front slip pocket. Unlined. The raw edges inside are finished with bias binding.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight fabric depending on how strong you’d like the bag to be. The pattern recommends a strong cotton twill. Upholstery, furnishing, or denim fabrics could be used.
Format: Dimensions for cutting each section are included in the blog post instructions.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions with photos are included within the blog post.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. The style and construction of this bag are fairly simple. The bias binding finish would be a new skill that you could learn, or you could just zig zag the raw edges if you’re not ready for that. The blog post instructions are clear with lots of helpful photos.

Tote bag with long webbing straps – “Madrid”

tote bag with front pocket and long white straps, and sewing pattern line drawing.

Download now from Victory Patterns – $10, OR GET IT FOR FREE by joining their email newsletter.

Sizes: One size (finished measurements are not given, but it looks like a medium-large bag).
Design: Classic shopper style tote bag. Boxed corners. Optional front slip pocket. Long webbing straps. Unlined.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight. For example, cotton canvas, denim, cotton twill.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home (A4 and US letter sizes), A1 copy shop file, and 36″ copy shop file.
Instructions included? Yes, printable instructions are included within the digital download.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, the designer suggests this pattern for beginners. It introduces many foundational bag-making techniques. The style is very simple and the pockets can be left off to make the process easier if preferred.

Tote bag with asymmetric pockets – “Costa”

blue tote bag with outer pockets, and sewing pattern line drawings.

Download now from Helen’s Closet – FREE (with newsletter subscription)

Sizes: One size (exact measurements are not given)
Design: Simple style. (Optional) 4 asymmetric divided pockets on the outside. Fully lined. Reversible. Long fabric straps. Boxed corners to make the bag wider and increase storage space.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight woven fabric. Cotton broadcloth, denim, cotton twill, or canvas. Lightweight fabric for the lining, like quilting cotton.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home (A4 and US letter sizes), and A0 copy shop file.
Instructions included? Yes, an instruction booklet is included within the digital download.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, the designer suggests this pattern for beginners. The style of the bag is simple, and you could learn how to line a bag. To make things easier, you could skip the outer pockets.

Tote bags with flat bottoms:

Structured trapeze shape tote bag

Download now from Apple Green Cottage. Read the sewing instructions – FREE

Sizes: Small – 7″ x 7″ at the bottom, 9″ tall, 14″ wide at the top / 18 x 18cm at the bottom, 23cm tall, 36cm wide at the top.
Medium – 9″ x 9″ at the bottom, 11” tall, 18″ wide at the top / 23 x 23cm at the bottom, 28cm tall, 46cm wide at the top.
Large – 11″ x 11″ at the bottom, 13″ tall, 22″ wide at the top / 28 x 28cm at the bottom, 33cm tall, 56cm wide at the top.
Design: Structured bag using fusible fleece and interfacing. Flat bottom. It’s wider at the top. Wide side panels. Color-blocking detail. Webbing handles. Fully lined. Interior pocket. Can be made as a bag or a storage basket.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight woven fabric. For example, quilting cotton, broadcloth, denim, cotton twill, or canvas. Fusible interfacing and fleece are needed to make the bag stiffer.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions with photos are included within the blog post. Optionally, you can buy printable instructions for $3.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think an adventurous beginner could make this. There are no zippers or tricky fastenings to sew. The blog post instructions are clear with helpful photos throughout.

Tote bags with zippers at the top:

Simple Backpack and Tote with zip closure – “Buckthorne”

woman holding backpacks with white straps that turn into a tote bag, and inside view

Buy now from Noodle Head – $10

Sizes: 14” x 13” x 5.5” / 35.5 x 33 x 14 cm. It looks like a medium-large bag on adults.
Design: Rectangle-shaped backpack. Carry handle to use this as a tote bag. Optional backpack straps (they’re adjustable). Front pocket for smaller items. Interior pocket. Zip closure at the top of the bag. Flat base.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight fabrics. For example, cotton canvas, cotton twill, cotton drill, faux leather, or denim. Quilting cotton for the lining.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home, or a printed pattern that gets shipped to you.
Instructions included? Yes. Instructions are provided within the PDF download or as an instruction booklet with the printed version. The instructions are illustrated.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. I think an adventurous or advanced beginner wanting to try bag-making could give this pattern a go. The design of the bag is fairly straightforward with only one zipper. Cotton canvas or twill would be an easier fabric to work with.

Cross-body tote with top zip – “Redwood”

woman holding a tote bag with a zippered front and a cross body strap, and an inside view of the inner pockets

Buy now from Noodle Head – $9

Sizes: 10.5” x 13” x 2.5” / 26.6 x 33 x 6.3 cm. It’s a medium sized bag.
Design: Cross-body tote. Carry handle. Top zip closure. Front zippered pocket. Back slip pocket. Inside slip pocket. Lined. Flat bottom with a reinforced base.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight fabrics. For example, cotton canvas, cotton twill, cotton drill, faux leather, or denim. Fusible interfacings for structure. Quilting cotton for the lining.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home, or printed pattern. Pattern pieces are not included, only cutting measurements and instructions.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are provided within the PDF download or as an instruction booklet with the printed version. They have illustrations.
Suitable for beginners? No, I think this pattern would better suit an intermediate sewist, as the designer suggests. There are many pockets, zips, and hardware that could challenge a complete beginner.

Tote bag with top zip & front pockets – “Fremont”

Download now from Craftsy (video course included) – Price: a Craftsy subscription is needed ($8.99/month)

Sizes: Finished measurements are not given, but it looks like a medium sized bag on adults.
Design: Structured tote bag. Top zip closure. Divided front slip pocket. Carry handles. Shoulder strap. Straps are attached with rivets. Fully lined. Interior pocket.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight woven fabrics. For example, waxed canvas, cotton drill, cotton twill, denim, leather, upholstery fabrics.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home. Only cutting measurements and instructions are included, not pattern pieces.
Instructions included? Yes, this pattern is bought as part of an online class and full written instructions are included.
Suitable for beginners? No, I think this pattern would be difficult for a complete beginner. The bag is fully lined, has a zip closure, leather straps, and rivets. This would better suit an intermediate to advanced sewist.

Quilted Tote Bags:

These patterns use patchwork and quilting to create decorative tote bags. These are a great option if you don’t want a plain bag.

Quilted ‘Garden Tile Block’ Tote Bag

Read now from Fabric.com. Download the quilt block – FREE

Sizes: 17.5″ x 21″ / 44.5cm x 53cm
Design: Large tote bag. Cross design block. The front and back are quilted with straight rows. Large shoulder straps. Fully lined.
Fabric needed: Medium weight quilting cotton fabrics. Quilt wadding or batting.
Format: PDF digital download to print at home. The PDF download is just the pattern for the quilt block.
Instructions included? Yes, step-by-step instructions with photos are in this blog post.
Suitable for beginners? No, this pattern would suit a sewist with experience in quilting and patchwork. The construction of the bag is simple enough for a beginner sewist, but the quilting is what makes the process more involved.

Fake patchwork bag with hard bottom

colorful large tote bag with patchwork look, and sewing diagram.

Download now from All People Quilt – FREE

Note: the PDF download is just a printable version of the instructions. No pattern pieces are included. We have to create a free account with All People Quilt to download PDF’s. This process can be glitchy, especially for non-US visitors. So don’t worry if you can’t download the PDF. You can still complete the project without it. Just read the instructions in the blog post.

Sizes: 17″ x 13″ x 8″ / 43 x 33 x 20 cm.
Design: Large and spacious tote bag. Side panels for depth. Wide handles. Quilted front and back. Structured bag using fusible fleece, stabilizer, and corrugated plastic board (eg. Plasticor) for the bottom. Great for storing craft or knitting projects.
Fabric needed: Medium weight quilting cotton fabrics. A pre-printed patchwork fabric panel can be used to give a patchwork effect. Fusible fleece, stabilizer, and corrugated plastic board (eg. Plasticor) to give the bag structure.
Format: The cutting measurements for each piece are given in the blog post.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are included in this blog post.
Suitable for beginners? I think this pattern could suit an advanced beginner who wants to try quilting, or an intermediate sewist. The pattern advises the use of a pre-printed patchwork panel so no actual patchworking is required. The instructions have illustrations, but not every step has visuals, so a complete beginner may find this frustrating. The instructions are also brief in some places; the reader is expected to know basic sewing techniques already (like basting, topstitching, handstitching areas closed).

Color Block Tote Bag

color-blocked tote bags in different colors, and sewing diagram.

Download now from All People Quilt – FREE

Sizes: 14.5″ x 15″ x 3″ / 35.5 x 38 x 7.5 cm.
Design: Simple tote bag with striped color-blocking design. Fully lined. Shoulder handles. Boxed corners to make the bag wider and increase storage space.
Fabric needed: Medium weight woven fabrics. For example, cotton broadcloth, poplin, twill, denims, upholstery fabric.
Format: The cutting measurements for each piece are given in the blog post. There’s no physical pattern to download, just printable instructions.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are included in this blog post. All People Quilt has also made a video tutorial for a similar tote bag without the color blocking, so that may help.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, I think this pattern could suit an advanced beginner or an intermediate sewist. The bag design is fairly simple. The illustrated instructions are quite good, but they may be too concise for a complete beginner. The instructions assume that you already know basic sewing techniques like basting, topstitching, and hand sewing.

Patchwork Butterfly Tote Bag

flat tote bag with patchwork butterfly, and close up of butterfly.

Download now from Gathered.How. Read the sewing instructions – FREE

Sizes: 15 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ / 39 x 32 cm
Design: Flat tote bag. Patchwork butterfly detail using foundation paper piecing skills. Long carry handles. Fully lined.
Fabric needed: Medium weight quilting cotton fabrics. Scraps of cotton for the patchwork butterfly.
Format: A printable template is included for the butterfly, and cutting measurements are given for the tote bag pieces within the blog post.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are included within the blog post. Only a few steps have pictures or illustrations though, so a beginner may struggle.
Suitable for beginners? The designer says this project suits confident beginners and intermediate sewists. This is a good way to learn foundation paper piecing on a small scale. The construction of the bag itself is fairly simple and the blog instructions are clear.

Grocery / market shopping tote bags:

Spacious tote bag patterns for your weekly grocery shopping.

Grocery bag with many pockets

woman wearing a yellow grocery tote bag with lots of pockets and extra handles

Buy now from Sew Over It – £5 (approx $6.5)

Sizes: Finished measurements are not given, but it looks like a medium-large size bag on adults.
Design: Spacious grocery shopping tote bag. Side panels for extra depth. 2 sets of straps: long shoulder straps and smaller carry handles. 6-ish inside pockets. Optional base insert to make the bag more structured.
Fabric needed: Medium to heavy weight fabrics. For example, cotton twill, cotton drill, denim, canvas, upholstery fabric.
Format: The pattern can be bought as a print-at-home PDF, or you can opt to have the PDF printed by Sew Over It for an additional cost.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are included in the PDF download.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, this pattern is aimed at the complete beginner and is described as “deceptively simple”. A stable fabric is also used which makes the sewing process easier.

Long tote bag with integrated handles

2 women holding a long tote bag made from square shaped scraps of printed fabrics in vibrant colors

Buy now from Suzy Quilts – FREE

Sizes: The bag can be made as short or long as you prefer.
Design: Large tote bag with included shoulder handles. Basic patchwork: 4 “patches” are joined together. Unlined. French seams for a neat finish.
Fabric needed: Medium weight woven fabrics. For example, 4 fat quarters, or 1 yard of fabric like quilting cotton.
Format: There is no physical pattern for this bag. Cutting measurements for each piece are included in this blog post.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are included in this blog post with step-by-step photos.
Suitable for beginners? Yes. The design of this bag is very simple and clear instructions are given for the whole process, including how to construct french seams. This would be a great introduction for someone who wants to try patchwork for the first time.

Triangle / Origami tote bags:

Bento Bag Tote Bag

blue printed bento bag with sunglasses and a knot

Buy now from Gathered How – FREE

Sizes: Finished measurements are not given, but it looks like a medium sized bag. You can also change the size quite easily.
Design: Japanese style ‘bento’ bag. 3 contrasting fabrics can be used for a patchwork style. Triangle shape. Knotted at the top. Boxed corners. This is an unstructured, unlined bag made from medium weight cotton fabric, so it probably doesn’t suit heavy loads.
Fabric needed: Medium cotton fabrics. For example, fat quarters, quilting cotton, old pillowcases, etc.
Format: There is no physical pattern for this bag. Cutting measurements for each piece are included in the blog post.
Instructions included? Yes, instructions are included in this blog post. The instructions are simple and include step-by-step photos.
Suitable for beginners? Yes, the design of this bag is easy and made from just 3 squares of fabric. The instructions are clear and have step-by-step photos.

What to read next:

This article was written by Sally Gauntlett and edited by Sara Maker. It was originally published on 26 May 2022 and has since been updated.

Sally Gauntlett (author)
Sally started sewing as a child. In 2008, she started a handmade business selling personalized gifts and homeware. She then became a sewing content creator, sharing her makes on Youtube and Instagram. Read more…