Tote Bag Patterns. Check out the carefully selected 20 best tote bag patterns and choose your favorite free tote pattern!
Totes can make excellent accessories, and are always great diy gifts. These are all free tote patterns and tutorials, and an excellent (and so rewarding!) sewing project for the entire range of sewing skills from beginners to advanced.
What's in this list
I collected 20 of my favorite tote bag patterns. Not an exhaustive list, just the top 20, a carefully curated selection of what I wish I'd found years ago when I first started searching for the best tote bag patterns. If you're a beginner or not, you'll find something for you here:
- The simpler ones require no more than folding a rectangle and up to 4 straight (-ish) seams. Perfect for novice sewists!
- Confident beginners will probably go for a pattern that includes a pocket (or three), add a flat bottom, and maybe use the color-blocking option.
- Advanced level? Sure! There are additional free tote patterns and options here in the list, including patchwork, piecing, quilted totes, one with vinyl (I love it!), and that perfect Saturday market tote you won't be able to resist!
Now, let me stop rambling, scroll down to the list, and start selecting your favorite, and - see you in the sewing room!
Tote Bag Patterns
- MY Own Tote Tutorial I'll start with mine, it's my latest free pattern and its popularity skyrocketed immediately when I published the free pattern, so I'm guessing you'll like it too:
And if you're wondering how to make the PRETTY double-color handles, check out this bonus tutorial - my readers loved it!
My Other Best Free Tote - The MARKET Bag
Not a fan of boxing corners on bags? This one is different! Get the free market bag pattern in 3 sizes HERE. (And you can instantly turn it into a large storage bin, so it's double use!)
And before I continue, this is what you can add to all of these tote bags - it definitely brings them up a notch:
Make an inset zipper to keep anything from falling out of your tote. This add-on is golden for me.
Need to restock before you sew? Shop my personal favorite sewing supplies HERE.
A Drawstring Tote
If you are looking for a narrow tote pattern that will house your water bottle to help you stay hydrated - this is YOUR project! Also, this one has a simple drawstring closure as an alternative to a zipper. Super quick to sew! Grab the free pattern now:
Tote Bag With a Tablet Pocket
Would you like to test out a combination of fabric and leather? Here's a great tablet tote bag tutorial by Vicky at Vicky Myers Creations.
Free Grocery Bag pattern
Christine has a handy grocery bag pattern at her ChrisWDesigns site. She says she'll be adding more free patterns soon, so make sure to visit!
Free Craft Bag Pattern
The Oslo craft Bag pattern is one of the most popular free tote bag patterns over at Sew Sweetness. An abundance of pockets and compartments make it an amazing craft organizer.
Free Pattern for Tote With Many Pockets
Caroline at Sew Can She has an excellent tutorial for when you need a tote with many pockets. Free pattern here.
The Three-Fabric Tote
A great looking tote bag by The Inspired Wren - tutorial here.
Sturdy Tote Bag
If you are looking for a stiff and strong tote bag, visit the tutorial designed by Amy Smart of The Diary of A Quilter for the Pellon site. Highly professional, and beautiful. Like all her tutorials.
French Market Tote Bag
A classic tote bag with a beautiful finish - tutorial at A Bright Corner
See-Through Vinyl Tote - Free Pattern
Are you brave enough to go for a vinyl tote bag? Here's one of the cutest vinyl totes out there. And it has top zipper closure - super handy! Free pattern and tutorial by Caroline at Sew Can She.
Tote Bag With Semi-Custom Fabric
Stephanie at Swoodson Says showed how to make a simple lined tote bag using a semi-custom fabric option at Joann's. I loved how she adjusted the pattern color scale to her signature colors! Visit her tutorial here.
Reversible Bucket Tote Bag - Free Pattern
A great reversible tote pattern that was designed by Lisa Lam and is part of the Bag Making Bible - link to free pattern from Sew Mama Sew - now only available in Internet Archive HERE.
Convertible Tote-To-Wallet - Free pattern
A smart convertible tote tutorial with a free pattern, designed by Lorraine, aka LiEr from the Ikatbag blog. One of those amazing people in the bag making world I learned a lot from. You simply must check out her bag construction series!
Scrappy Quilted Tote Bag
Scrappy quilted tote bag, tutorial at A Bright Corner
Library Tote
A cute library tote pattern by Jedi Craft Girl.
La Conner Tote Bag Tutorial
This free tutorial was posted by Jera at Quilting In The Rain, a Lecien designer, and it comes with a great video - here.
Fat Quarter Friendly Tote Bag
A cute tote bag that you can make in less than an hour. Tutorial here.
A Super Simple 20-Minute Tote Bag
Maybe the quickest tote to sew in this collection. Visit the free tutorial at Purl Soho.
BASKET TOTE FREE SEWING PATTERN
This one is a perfect tote for a trip to the Saturday market. While it falls into an intermediate difficulty level, it's an excellent tutorial with a free pattern by Caroline at Sew Can She.
PLAID FLANNEL BAG PATTERN
This plaid flannel tote bag has a modern classic look that’s the perfect accent for any fall outfit. Get the tote bag tutorial here.
I hope you've found your favorite tote bag to sew now. Happy sewing! Damjana
WANT MORE FREE TUTORIALS AND GOODIES?
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Or check out this pretty ALLina project bag pattern in our shop - for all your storage needs:
Or check out the classic SIRINA Shoulder Handbag pattern in our shop. Ample space, pockets inside and outside, two closure options, and a beautiful feature front pocket - for your favorite fabric print!
MJ says
These tote bag patterns are fantastic — such a great variety and beautifully designed for both beginners and seasoned sewists!
Robyn Lidstone - Australia says
Thank you Damjana for sharing this great list of bags.
There is so much variety and the sewing instructions will be invaluable,
I already have the Allina pattern and will make this first - then explore your designs for other bags which will be wonderful Christmas gifts.
Damjana Jakos says
Robyn hi,
a good decision, and I can't wait to see your new ALLina tote!
Pat Wallenslager says
Thank you so much for the bag list! I specially like the vinyl one.
Allison Reid says
Thank you for taking the time to compile this very handy catalogue of free tote patterns.
Starla says
I can't wait to try the Sila pouch pattern.
Emma says
Thanks for your generosity. A great list.
Connie says
I'm a beginner and some of these bag's looks like my skill level.
Thanks
Micki says
Thank you for sharing these great patterns! It's hard to decide which one to make, so I guess I'll have to save several of them!
Joansy says
This is a great collection of totes! I pinned the whole collection, and I thank you for gathering them together all in one place. I love making bags, and am always looking for new ones to try out. Thanks again!
Laura says
Love these tote patterns! I'm grateful that there are talented people that can draw up a pattern and describe the sewing so well!
Juliet says
I would like to see a lined tote with a zipper. Can't quite figure that one out.
Shanon says
Thanks so much!! This is a great list. I pinned a bunch of them so I can try them out.
Margaret Blickenderfer says
Thank you so much for this collection of tote patterns! I can't wait to try some and give as gifts!