Sew a child’s craft tote bag

This is Option 1 and has roomier pockets for larger items.

As parents, we are always looking for ways to stimulate and occupy our children. This is especially true when we head out for dinner, or to visit a friend or relative. We always have our own supply of stuff we need, so why not designate a particularly cute and useful tote bag for your child’s stash of crayons, stickers, paper, colouring books, glue sticks and more?

Here’s how to sew an easy version of the all-purpose tote bag, only this one is customized to smaller people and features side pockets for their favourite crafty belongings.

This is Option 2, and has smaller pockets for smaller items.

Here is what you’ll need.

Fabric: One half yard or meter of fabric for the main body and straps.

Since this tote bag is not lined, I suggest using fabric without an obvious right side and wrong side. Choose sturdy fabric that will stand up to the extra weight of the contents of the side pocket panels and items inside the pockets. Canvas or heavy duty cotton is a good bet.

Cut one main piece of fabric 15” x 30”. This fabric will be folded in half to create the bag.

Cut two pieces of fabric for the straps.

2 - 3”x 20”.

I recommend you use the same fabric for the straps as for the main body.

Cut two pieces of fabric for the front and back pocket panels. This can be a different fabric, and you can make this fun and to the liking of the recipient. Just make sure to use good quality cotton such as quilting cotton.

1 piece - 6” x 16” - Option 1 pocket panel.

1 piece - 5” x 20” - Option 2 pocket panel

Markers, scissors, glue stick and more!

Equipment.

You will need: sewing machine, rotary cutter or scissors, washable markers, rulers, thread, seam ripper, pins and/or clips, seam gauge.

Given the heavier nature of the fabric used, I recommend a denim needle or similar. A good quality polyester thread will work too. Your fabric store can help you.

Note: I am often in thrift stores and have found the majority of fabric for projects such as these there. They are inexpensive and I practice upcycling, recycling, and repurposing. I recommend washing and drying any fabric you purchase.

This pattern uses 1/2” seam allowance unless otherwise specified.

I often refer to basting stitches to hold pieces in place temporarily. Use a 5mm stitch on your machine for basting so it’s easy to remove those stitches later.

Sewing

Option 1 Pocket panels - In the first video below, I use the ‘pinch pleat method’ to create pockets with generous openings for items such as a glue stick. Pinch pleats are used frequently in garments, oftentimes in skirt making.

• Fold 5/8” up from the bottom edge of the pocket panel to the inside. Press.

• Sew a 1/2” seam allowance along this edge.

• Fold 1/2” down from the top edge to the inside. Press.

• Sew a 1/4” seam allowance along this edge.

• Fold 1/2” to the inside of both sides, press, and sew 1/4” seam allowance.

You now have a rectangular piece with all four sides neatened up.

Next step involves the measuring of pockets and the ‘Pinch method’ to create pocket openings.

Here comes the math. Fear not!

You will add 4” in addition to every pocket. For example, if you make a 1” wide pocket, it will use 5” of fabric. A 2” pocket uses 6” of fabric and so on.

Summarizing the math:

1” pocket + 1” pinch pleat on either side of pocket + 1” gap on either side of pleat = 5” total

Or, pocket width + 2” (pleats) + 2” (gaps between pockets).

You may follow a video I made demonstrating this.

Now to add Option 1 pocket panel to the main fabric.

Place wrong sides of pocket fabric to right sides of the main fabric. You should see all right sides showing now. Measure 3” up from the bottom of both sides of the main fabric, and pin the sides and bottom in place. You will create several different pockets for the child’s belongings such as markers, glue sticks, scissors, etc.

Baste a seam along the folded up edge of the bottom of the pocket panels securing the bottom of the pockets to the front and back of the main fabric. Be sure to catch the folded up edge on the inside of the pocket panel.

Sew seams between each pocket from top to bottom of the pocket stopping on the bottom of the pocket. The pockets will remain slightly open at the tops for items to be inserted.

Pocket Option 2. I recommend you watch the above video for detailed instructions.

Turn the top and bottom of this rectangle to the inside, press and stitch as in Option 1. Leave the sides raw. They will be sewn into the side seams of the main body later.

Baste (5mm stitch setting) two rows of stitches along the bottom of the panel leaving long threads at the beginning and end of the basting stitches. Gently gather the bottom of the panel to fit the width of the main body.

Check the position of the pocket panel on the first side, and ensure the bottoms line up more or less exactly. Measure from the top of the main body down or up from the bottom of the main body to ensure these two pocket panels match as precisely as possible.

Pin the wider of the two panels in place.

Main body

Turn the main fabric pieces right sides together. (The pockets are now inside, so you won’t see them at this stage.) Sew seams from top to bottom on each side of the main fabric. Backstitch at both the tops and bottoms of the seams. Finish the sides with zigzag stitching or with serging or overlocking stitches to prevent fraying. Snip the bottom corners being careful not to snip the seam. This will create nice sharp corners when you turn the bag right sides out.

Fold down one half inch all the way around the top edge of the bag, and Press. Next, fold down another full inch and Press. Secure with clips or pins.

Straps

Use the two 3” x 20” pieces of fabric for the straps.

If you make this kind of tote bag for an adult, you will probably want to use wider strips - say, 4” wide, for example. A final note on this is if the fabric is very lightweight, you’ll want to add fusible interfacing to bulk up the straps.

Fold the strap fabric lengthwise in half and press. Fold the fabric into the center fold again and press. Fold the straps lengthwise and press. Sew a 1/8” seam along one long edge, then across the short edge, then back along the long and and finally across the last short edge. Give the sewn straps a good steamy pressing.

At the tops of the main fabric, measure 3” from the side seams of the main pieces and make a mark with a water soluble marker or chalk.

Tuck the raw ends of the straps up into the 1” gap at the top of the bag. Line the outsides of the straps to the marks. Make sure the straps are not twisted. It is VERY easy to get this wrong. Trust me! Check, and check again before sewing into place. (The straps are hanging down from the bag opening. This is correct.)

Now sew 1/8” all around the bottom perimeter of the top of the bag being sure to catch the straps inside the 1” gap.

Turn the straps upwards now and sew another 1/8” seam allowance around the top of the perimeter. Press again.

Sew reinforcing X’s at the tops of the straps.

Finishing! Congratulations! You’re in the home stretch now.

Turn the entire bag rights sides out, and push out those bottom corners with your finger, a pencil, or another pointy object, being careful not to push through the seam. Press everything for a super crisp and professional look. Trim any leftover threads.

Load the pockets up with a selection of crafty stuff for your favourite crafter and be sure to add a special treat or two. I am adding a little baggy of scrap fabric and some leftover denim. I want to encourage the fun of glueing scraps onto a background to make a scrappy fabric patch. Welcome junior sewists!