How to Sew a Tote with Many Pockets! {free sewing pattern

Welcome to Part 2 of my Tote with Many Pockets Sewing Pattern! In Part 1, you will find the materials list and instructions for all of the cutting, fusing, and sewing of the pockets.

Now it’s time to sew the rest of the pieces together. Let’s get to it!

Sewing the Exterior Sides:

1. Draw a line down the middle of one of the lower pocket pieces.

2. Place the lower pocket piece that you just marked with the marked side down on your work area. Then place one of the upper pocket pieces on top.

Align the bottom of the upper pocket piece (the pink one) with the tops of the squares cut out of the lower (gray) pocket piece. Pin these pieces together along the side edges.

3. Flip the piece over and stitch along your marked line on the lower pocket. This divides the lower pocket in 2.

4. Use a fabric marker to draw a line across the bottom of the lower pocket that is 1/2” above the cut out corners, as shown above.

5. Stitch across the line you just drew.

6. Place the completed pocket pieces on top of one of the bag exterior pieces, aligning the cut out corners at the bottom. Pin and baste together along the side edges.

Repeat Steps 1-6 to make the other side of the bag.

Make the Button and D-ring Loops

1. Fold the 2” x 6” button loop strip in half lengthwise. Open it and press the edges to the center (first picture above).

2. Fold the strip in half again and press (second picture above).

3. Topstitch along the strap, 1/8” from both edges (third picture above).

4. Repeat Steps 1-3 above with the 4” x 4” squares for the D-ring loops too.

5. Fold one of the bag exterior pieces in half lengthwise to find the center at the top. Mark the center with a pin.

6. Fold the button loop in half and pin the ends at the top of the bag, as shown above. Sew across the top, 1/4” from the edge to secure the button loop in place.

7. Wrap the D-ring loop pieces around the 1” D-rings and sew across the top edges. Set the two D-ring loop pieces aside for now.

Assembling the Tote Bag:

1. Pin the exterior sides right sides together along the sides and bottom.

2. Stitch along the side and bottom edges (not around the cut out corners). Press the seams open.

3. Flatten the side and bottom seams of the bag together at the cut out corners to make a straight edge. Pin.

4. Stitch across this edge to box the corner. Repeat on the other corner.

5. Pin the bag lining pieces right sides together and sew the side and bottom edges, except leave a 5-6” opening for turning the bag right side out later. Press the seams open.

Box the corners of the lining also, as seen in Steps 3-4 above.

6. Turn the bag exterior right side out. Pin the D-ring loops over the side seams. Baste in place about 1/4” from the top edge.

7. With the bag exterior right side out, and the bag lining wrong side out, place the lining over the exterior. Pin together around the top edges. Stitch all the way around the top edge of the bag.

8. Press the top edge seam open, and then clip the seam allowances (just like you did with the curved top edges of the pocket pieces).

9. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining.

10. Press the edges at the opening in the lining to the inside. Sew the opening closed.

11. Press the top edge of the bag flat. Topstitch around the bag, 1/4” from the top edge.

Make the Bag Strap:

1. Press the 4” x 40” strip of fabric the same way that you pressed the button and D-ring loops.

2. Insert the 1” x 37” strip of fusible fleece inside the folds of the strap piece. The fusible fleece strip is 3” shorter, so there will be an extra 1 1/2” bit without fleece at either end. Fold the strap together and press again.