Easy Sew Slouchy Tote Bag With Free Pattern

If you’ve followed my sewing journey here at HappiestCamper for long, you know I love bags! All the bags! Today, I’m going to show you this Easy Sew Slouchy Tote Bag With Free Pattern! Talk about roomy! This squared bottom slouchy bag is large enough to carry …well, everything!! It is a great solution for your prized possessions while still looking stylish and trendy! The Slouchy Tote bag is the perfect companion for you or the kids. It includes two strap lengths – short handle and shoulder lengths, and if they are still not long enough – just lengthen them. It is fully lined, reversible and it comes with the option for a roomy squared bottom or just have a small compact tote.  The design is simple, quick and easy to sew which makes it perfect for your lifestyle.

Plus, the included free pattern means this sewing project is easy to make no matter your experience sewing. Why not make one for school, vacation and some for gifts? The hardest part of this bag is choosing the combination of fabrics you will need to make it! Let’s get started!

Printable PDF Version of how to sew a Slouchy Tote Bag - This PDF version has been optimized for printing and you won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. If you would like to purchase an ad free printable version of this sewing pattern & tutorial, please visit our Etsy Shop listing for Slouchy Tote Bag - PDF Download & you can purchase a PDF downloadable version of this knot bag pattern & tutorial or you can keep reading for the free version of this tutorial.

Supplies For Easy Sew Slouchy Tote Bag With Free Pattern

• 1 Yard of 60″ Wide Fabric – medium to heavy weight fabrics including drapery fabrics, velvet, linens, faux leather, suede , corduroy etc
• Or 1.5 Yards of 44″ Wide Fabric
• 0.5 Yard Of Interfacing (Optional)
• Iron
• Pins
• Scissors 
• Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
• Measuring tape 
• Thread nippers
• Sewing machine
• Matching Thread
• Fabric marker
• Free Pattern

If you choose to use a different fabric for the lining, polyester blends, cotton and cotton blends work well.

Pattern Pieces Checklist

There is only one pattern piece. One thing to note is that to make the bag reversible, you’ll want to cut 4 pieces out of your main fabric pieces. Otherwise, follow the cut instructions for a bag with lining. Once you have printed and assembled your pattern, you will cut the following pieces:

• Cut 2 pieces from Main Fabric
• Cut 2 pieces from Lining Fabric
• Cut 2 pieces from Interfacing (optional)

Printing Instructions

This pattern has layers, so that you can choose to print only the size you need. To achieve this Adobe Reader must be installed on your machine or device. Adobe Reader allows you to click on the layers icon which will show you each size with an eyeball beside it. Click on the eyeball beside the size you do not want to print. Looking for a bigger or smaller size of this pattern? Then check out our post on Pattern Grading. 

Before printing check that your printer is set to No scaling or Actual size. Set the Page orientation to Auto or Portrait. And then print page 1. Measure the 2” test square to see if it measures exactly 2”.   If it does, print the remaining pages.

Trimming Pages

Cut off the right and top margins of each printed page before assembling the pattern. 

You can use tape or school glue to adhere your paper pattern together. 

Pattern Assembly

After the pages have been printed and trimmed as instructed above, use the quarter circles located at the corner of each page for perfect alignment.  When done your pattern should look like this: 

Seam Allowance

Use a 3/8” seam allowance unless otherwise instructed for this Easy Sew Slouchy Tote Bag sewing tutorial.

How To Make An Easy Sew Slouchy Tote Bag With Free Pattern

Start this easy sew slouchy tote bag sewing tutorial by washing, drying, and pressing your fabric. After you have printed and assembled your pattern, cut out your fabric. Once you have all the pieces cut out, place one main and one lining fabric right sides together aligning the handles.

Pin and sew the handles – you will sew both the inner and outer curves, backstitching at the beginning and end. (You will not sew the short section at the top of the handle). Repeat for the other main and lining fabric pieces.

Clip the curved area of the handles without cutting into your stitches. This will when you turn the handles right side out later.

To complete the bag handle, take one half of your bag, lay it flat in front of you with the lining fabric facing upwards. Attach a safety pin or bodkin to the lining fabric at the opening in the top of the handle.

Feed the safety pin inside the handle until appears between the main and lining fabric, pulling the handle until it is completely right side out.

Take the handle with the safety pin attached and bring it towards the other handle ensuring the turned strap and the bag are facing right sides together.

Feed the safety pin inside the opposite handle until it appears through the opening at the top of the handle.
Check again to ensure the main fabric of the handle of the slouchy tote bag is facing the main fabric of the bag.

Align the raw edge of both handles together and also position the handles so that the sewn seams are also aligned.

Pin the raw edges of both handles together and sew across the top. Ensure to backstitch at the beginning and the end of the stitch. Repeat for the other handle.

Place the main fabrics of the slouchy tote bag right sides together. Align the side seams and pin from the main fabric continuing into the lining. Repeat for the other side.

Sew the side seam from the main fabric continuing to the end of the lining.

Pin and sew the main fabric of the base of the bag right sides together.

Repeat for the lining, only this time leave a 3” opening to turn the bag right side out in future steps. If you feel your fabric is very thick and this opening is too small, increase it to 5”. You are about halfway through this Easy Sew Slouchy Tote Bag Sewing Tutorial!

To form the squared bottom / base of the slouchy tote bag, take the side seam of the bag and align with the seam at the base of the bag.

Align, pin and sew both seams together. You will repeat this step for the remaining three corners of the main fabric as well as on the lining fabric.

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

To close the opening, ensure the raw edges of the opening is turned inside the bag, sew the opening closed with a straight stitch, backstitching at the beginning and the end of the stitch.

For a final touch, press your slouchy tote bag and topstitch the bag handles.

Now your Easy Sew Slouchy Tote Bag is finished! Fill it with your everyday essentials and use it like a small purse or just use it as a cute catch-all bag.

If you liked learning how to make this Easy Sew Slouchy Tote Bag with Free Pattern, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

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