How to Make a Cute Jute Tote Bag | Step by Step Tutorial | Miarti, by Miarti - Sewing Tips on YouTube. 3 min 39 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 39 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Cut the burlap pieces to your tote pattern with tailor's shears. Mark the seam lines and handle positions on the wrong side with chalk.
Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of each burlap piece with a hot iron. Press firmly without sliding the iron so the backing bonds flat.
Pin or clip the burlap outer pieces right sides together and sew the side and bottom seams. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam.
Sew the lining pieces the same way, but leave a gap of about 10 cm in the bottom seam for turning later.
Cut two ribbon lengths for the handles and fold under the raw ends. Clip them to the marked spots on the bag top and sew a square with an X inside for strength.
Hand-sew the yarn pom-poms and buttons onto the front of the bag to form flowers. Knot the thread securely on the inside.
Turn the outer burlap bag right side out and push out the corners with a blunt tool. Press the seams flat.
Place the outer bag inside the lining with right sides facing and sew around the top edge. Clip the curves.
Pull the bag right side out through the gap in the lining bottom. Sew the gap closed by machine or by hand.
Push the lining inside the bag and press the top edge. Topstitch around the top for a neat finish.
Tips and common mistakes
Burlap frays easily, so handle cut edges gently and sew soon after cutting.
Use a fresh needle and a slightly longer stitch length on thick jute to avoid skipped stitches.
Press interfacing onto the fabric, not the other way round, and let it cool before moving the piece.
Sew handle ends twice so they hold the weight of the bag contents.
Questions
Can I make this bag without a sewing machine?
Yes, but hand sewing burlap takes much longer. Use a strong thread and short backstitches on the seams and handles.
What can I use instead of burlap?
Canvas, cotton duck or old jeans work well and fray less. Keep the fusible interfacing so the bag holds its shape.
How do I stop the bag from sagging?
Fuse interfacing to both the burlap and the lining. A firm lining gives the tote structure and helps it stand up.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
