VIDEO: Sew your handbag yourself

Preparation, cutting and sewing of the handbag

1. First you choose the outer and inner fabric for the tote bag. For such a carrier bag, thicker cotton is ideally suited as a material. Cotton is robust and a material that is easy to work with, especially for beginners.
2. You need two pieces of 45 x 40 cm each for the outer and inner fabric. Either you draw directly on the fabric with a ruler and tailor's chalk or you create a kind of pattern. To do this, draw the required rectangle of fabric on tissue paper and cut it out. Place the finished pattern on the fabric, pin it in place and outline it with tailor's chalk. With both variants, after transferring the dimensions, cut out the pieces of fabric with sharp fabric scissors.
3. For the handbag you will need two more pieces of fabric for the handles. To do this, proceed exactly as described for the outer or inner fabric. Only the dimensions differ. For the two handles you need two pieces of fabric measuring 25 x 8 cm.
4. Take the two pieces of fabric from the handle and place them in front of you so that you are facing the outside. Fold the pieces of fabric in half lengthways. Now use a sewing machine to sew the long sides together. Now turn the two pieces of fabric right side out and put them aside.
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5. Now put the four pieces of fabric for the handbag yourself in the right order. Place the pieces for the outer fabric right sides together. This means that this outside is on the outside and you are looking at the inside. Now lay the inner fabric on the outer fabric pieces so that you can see the sides that will later be visible. If implemented correctly, you now have the following fabric package in front of you: inner fabric, outer fabric, outer fabric, inner fabric. Before you with sew get started, put the tote bag together with needles, turn the whole thing inside out and check that each piece of fabric is facing the correct direction.


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6. Insert the fabric package into your sewing machine as before using the handles. Sew the bottom and sides of your tote bag inside out. Fold the open side out by about half a centimeter. For a better hold, iron on the folded edge. Then fold the hem again in the same direction by an inch. Now sew the last side together. Make sure that you only sew two layers of fabric together and that you do not accidentally sew the handbag completely together.
7. Take the prepared handles and turn the open sides back one centimeter. A simple turn is enough. Now place the handles on the handbag as desired - one handle for one side. Usually handles are sewn with a crossed square. It is best to take a look at your disused cloth bags.
8. Now turn the tote bag inside out - the chic and environmentally friendly fabric bag is ready

More suggestions for the handbag

• Do you want your tote bag not only to be used for shopping, but also to be your daily companion? Then sew volume fleece between the inner and outer fabric. This gives the bag the necessary stability.
• Even though you carefully transport the yoghurts you have bought home, does one always break and get scattered in the bag? How about using thin oilcloth instead of normal cotton for the inner lining? You can just wipe that off and move on.
• Do you like it playful? With pearls, ruffles and appliqués, you can embellish your handbag that you have sewn yourself according to your ideas.
• Experienced seamstresses protect the contents of your handbag from prying eyes by attaching a zipper.

A tote bag is an ideal companion in many situations. If the handles are long enough, the simple carrier bag can be turned into a chic shoulder bag. Show your individuality and sew the right handbag or carrier bag for every occasion and every outfit.