Anchor Tote Bag Tutorial: How to Sew a Flawless, Perfectly Fitted Lining, by My Sewing Adventures on YouTube. 50 min 3 s.
- Video length
- 50 min 3 s
- Time to do it
- 3 to 4 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Print the Anchor Tote pattern and cut your fabric pieces: exterior panels, lining pieces, interfacing and webbing straps. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the exterior pieces with a hot iron.
Press all pieces flat and mark any notches or placement lines from the pattern. Lay out the angled exterior panels so the cut edges line up before you sew.
Cut two webbing straps to the pattern length. Fray the ends by pulling a few threads, then stitch across each end to stop the fraying spreading further.
Sew the angled exterior panels together, right sides facing, following the pattern seam allowance. Press the seams open as you go so the bag holds its shape.
Make the interior zipper pocket and sew it to the lining piece. Then add the small slip pocket and the large slip pocket, pressing each one flat.
Attach the webbing straps to the exterior at the marked positions. Sew a square with an X inside it at each strap end for strength.
Sew the lining pieces together, leaving a gap in the bottom seam for turning. Clip the corners and press the seams so the lining sits flat.
Place the exterior inside the lining, right sides together, and sew around the top edge. Pull the bag through the gap in the lining, then sew the gap closed.
Push the lining down into the bag and press the top edge. Topstitch around the opening to hold the lining in place and finish the bag.
Tips and common mistakes
Clip the seam allowances at the angled corners before turning so the points sit sharp.
Press every seam as you sew, since bag seams will not lie flat later.
Sew slowly over the webbing strap joins and use a denim or heavy needle.
Keep the lining seam allowance slightly smaller than the exterior so it fits without bunching.
Questions
Do I need a special needle for webbing straps?
A size 90 or 100 universal or denim needle handles thick webbing well. Change back to a standard needle for the lighter lining fabric.
How do I stop the frayed webbing ends from unravelling?
Sew a line of stitching across each end just below the frayed section. That holds the threads in place while keeping the relaxed look.
Can I make this bag without the pattern?
You can draft simple rectangles, but the angled panels and fitted lining rely on the pattern measurements. Using the pattern gives a much cleaner result.
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.
