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Lined tote bag

Make a lined tote in a print you love. Follow the measurements, cutting chart and steps at your own pace.

SewingCritic team · Updated 2026-11-04

An illustrated lined fabric tote bag

Free pattern · Make it your own

Finished size
14 × 14 in body; flat, no boxed base
Skill
Confident beginner
Time
Allow 2–3 hours (planning estimate)
Seam allowance
0.5 in, included in cut sizes

Drafted from measurements by the SewingCritic team. We have not yet photographed a sewn sample.

What do you need?

Medium woven cotton for the outside; light woven cotton lining. Avoid directional prints for your first bag.

Matching all-purpose thread; Universal 80/12 needle for medium cotton; pins or clips; ruler; scissors; iron.

Check the needle and thread chart

Fabric to buy, by nominal width
Size / fabric44 in58 in
Standard · lining0.5 yd15 + 2 = 17 in; round up to 1/4 yd0.5 yd15 + 2 = 17 in; round up to 1/4 yd
Standard · main0.75 yd24 + 2 = 26 in; round up to 1/4 yd0.75 yd24 + 2 = 26 in; round up to 1/4 yd

We reserve 2 in of width for selvedges. Place pieces left to right in chart order, starting a new row when the next piece does not fit. Each row uses the longest piece in that row. Add 2 in handling to the total cut length, divide by 36, and round UP to the next 1/4 yd. Pieces do not rotate. No shrinkage allowance is included. Prewash before measuring usable fabric. Directional prints can need more.

Which pieces should you cut?

All sizes are inches. Cut single layers unless the instructions say otherwise. Seam allowance is already included.

Exact cutting chart
PieceQuantityWidth × lengthSeam allowance
Standard
Outer body (main)215 × 15 inIncluded
Lining body (lining)215 × 15 inIncluded
Handle (main)24 × 24 inIncluded

How do you lay out the pieces?

These diagrams use the chart dimensions and keep the grain parallel to the long fabric edge. Rectangles do not rotate. PDF large-format pages are 100%; for home printing use the chart. The stocking also includes four Letter-size template tiles.

Standard · lining

Lining body15 × 15 inLining body15 × 15 in44 in fabric · 42 in usable · grain ↓ · 15 in cut length
Lining body15 × 15 inLining body15 × 15 in58 in fabric · 56 in usable · grain ↓ · 15 in cut length

Standard · main

Outer body15 × 15 inOuter body15 × 15 inHandle4 × 24 inHandle4 × 24 in44 in fabric · 42 in usable · grain ↓ · 24 in cut length
Outer body15 × 15 inOuter body15 × 15 inHandle4 × 24 inHandle4 × 24 in58 in fabric · 56 in usable · grain ↓ · 24 in cut length

How do you sew it?

  1. Prepare the pieces

    Prewash and press both fabrics. Cut the chart exactly. Keep the 15 in edge parallel to the selvedge. All seams are 1/2 in unless stated.

    Measure seam allowance from the raw edge to the stitch line

  2. Fold the handles

    Press each 4 × 24 in strip in half lengthwise; open. Fold both long edges to the centre, then fold closed. Stitch close to both edges. Each handle is 1 × 24 in.

  3. Make the outer bag

    Place outer squares right sides together. Sew both sides and the bottom. Keep the top open. Press seams open and clip only the bottom corner tips, clear of the stitches.

  4. Make the lining

    Sew the lining the same way, but leave a 4 in gap in the bottom seam. Do not box the corners.

  5. Place the handles

    Turn the outer bag right side out. On each face put the outer edges of the handle ends 3 in from the side seams. Keep the handle loop down against the bag and raw ends at the top. Baste 1/4 in from the top. Check for twists.

  6. Join the top edges

    Keep lining inside out. Put outer bag inside lining, right sides together. Match side seams and raw tops. Stitch around the top 1/2 in from the edge, catching all four handle ends.

  7. Turn and finish

    Pull the bag through the lining gap. Close that gap with a narrow edge stitch. Push lining inside. Press the top and stitch 1/8 in from it; add a second line 3/8 in below. Each handle has 1/2 in of each end caught in the top seam. The handle drop depends on the curve and spacing.

What can you change?

Use contrasting handle fabric. Add a pocket to a body panel before assembling the bag. Keep this flat base when using the stated finished measurements.

What could you make next?

Which sources did we use?

  1. SewingCritic original measurement draftsoriginal draft; arithmetic, no sewn sample · read 2026-11-04