DIY Easy Tote Bag - Featuring the Back to Basics Tote!

Download the FREE Pattern: sallietomato.c...
In this tutorial video, Jess from Sallie Tomato will show you how to make this minimalist, beginner-friendly tote bag from start to finish! Throughout the video Jess also shares tips for how to make professional looking bags!
Faux Leather: www.sallietoma...
Cork Fabric: www.sallietoma...
Magnetic Snaps: sallietomato.c...
Notions: sallietomato.c...
Let’s get started!
If you have any questions, we're here to help, so please just ask. We’d love to see your completed project! So be sure to share your photos on social media! Share and see photos of this pattern in the Sallie Tomato Patterns & Hardware Group on Facebook! Click Here to Request to Join! / 1229355450432503
If you enjoyed this tutorial, let us know by giving this video a thumbs up and by leaving a comment below!
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[@susancombrinck9852]

It is a beautiful tote bag and my husband and I are busy learning to work with leather.

[@SallieTomato]

That is great to hear! Thanks for watching and happy sewing! :)

[@KarenGutzwiller]

I just finished this bag today and I absolutely love it. I added extra pockets but otherwise followed the tutorial exactly and it turned out great. I even found faux leather in the same color shade as the example. I will definitely be making more in some other colors.

[@SallieTomato]

That's wonderful!! We are so glad this stitched up well for you and plan to make more! Thank you for watching and commenting! :)

[@KarenGutzwiller]

What a cute bag and I cannot believe how easily it comes together. I love your tutorials and have some made of your other bags. I cannot wait to try this one. Thanks.

[@SallieTomato]

That is wonderful! Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Happy Sewing! :)

[@Sewlady718]

I've been searching for a basic tote pattern that I can add my own touches to and this is just perfect. I love that it has straight sides and not angled out. Really great video and excellent teacher. Thank you so much.

[@SallieTomato]

Glad you like it! You're so welcome!

[@kathleenokeefe3203]

Thank you for this pattern! I'm cutting it out right now using your faux leather, which is just so beautiful and has a much nicer feel than other faux leathers I've used. I'm going to put a lining in mine.

[@MissTride]

I'm adding a lining also I hope its easy!

[@SallieTomato]

Wonderful! Can't wait to see your version! :)

[@travelingnana13]

Thank you for this amazing tote! I can't wait to make it from your beautiful faux leather. I may try out with your wonderful cork. Love my Sallie Tomato scissors and rotary cutter too!

[@SallieTomato]

Thank you SewingMama!!!

[@sharonquigley4593]

Thank you. A great beginner bag to make with leather.

[@SallieTomato]

It really is!

[@janetrathbun9260]

I just finished my bag and I love it! The faux leather is so soft and so beautiful. The video was great. I never used a magnetic closure before, and your video made it ☺☺so easy for me to do. Thank you!

[@SallieTomato]

We are so glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful! Thank you for watching! :)

[@bossandcharlie]

I love this tote! I plan on making it with leather!

[@joycehanke9064]

Jess, I love your Basic Tote! The video was wonderful and I plan to make this one for sure!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@SallieTomato]

Yay! Thank you Joyce! Hope you are well!

[@malekasajjad4979]

Great tutorial.❤❤❤

[@SallieTomato]

Thank you so much for watching! :)

[@Wrightn221]

I made this bag, and I love it. I scaled down the dimensions to match a bag that I currently own. I made it for a dear friend, because she wanted a bag like mine. She also made some birthday souvenir boxes for me. My bag is 20 years old, and store bought. Hers look better than mine! LOL Thanks sooo much.

[@SallieTomato]

Wonderful! Sound like a lovely friendship! There is no better gift than a handmade one. :)

[@Wrightn221]

@@SallieTomato agree!

[@manuelevie]

Thank you! Such a nice looking tote.

[@troyjennenegibby9682]

very well done video tutorial. Great bag too!

[@SallieTomato]

Thanks for watching!

[@cindycollins6300]

Awesome! Always wanted to do one like this. Thanks as always, Jessica.

[@SallieTomato]

Glad you like it! :)

[@roxannericchio3556]

Beautiful tote! This is a must make!

[@SallieTomato]

Thank you! 😊

[@michelec1962]

Love this bag!

[@SallieTomato]

Thank you for commenting and letting us know! We are delighted you like this bag! :)

[@suteerac3159]

Thank you for sharing. You make it looks so easy. I'm thinking about make one with 2 pockets for water bottles. Do you have any suggestion? Thanks.

[@SallieTomato]

Thats a great idea! We recommend trying this on scrap fabric first to make sure your pockets, seam allowance ,etc is the way you want it to look before making your final bag.

[@nakashvlogs2663]

Simply wow.... Amazing and u taught so well... I got all the questions cleared in my mind ... I have a synthetic leather with me in same brown colour... Will definitely try to make the one ... Love u

[@SallieTomato]

That is wonderful! Thank you so much for watching and letting us know! Happy Sewing! :)

[@lorirodgers4119]

I've done one in cork & one in faux leather, another one already cut out. And I used rivets for my first time on the straps. (got them in one of my cork of the month packs.) Thanks for a cute & easy pattern!

[@SallieTomato]

You're welcome!

[@maximumlearning]

thank you - what an amazing series

[@SallieTomato]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leslindelgado6124]

I love this bag. I can’t wait to try to make myself one.

[@SallieTomato]

You should!

[@MrsGabrielaTrigo]

Love it will try this out tomorrow

[@SallieTomato]

How did it work for you?

[@yvieporra]

omg how perfect is this bag? 😍

[@SallieTomato]

Thank you sew much!

[@No_Frills_Carnivore]

I just got this in my email. Thank you!

[@sarahwhite8721]

Thank you so much! Such a gorgeous tote! 😘😍🤗

[@SallieTomato]

Glad you like it!!!

[@aiseidora]

Super excellent. Thanks 🙏

[@SallieTomato]

You are welcome! Thank you for watching and commenting! :)

[@pambjorlo7221]

What a great video! Thanks for making this look easy enough for me to tackle. I hope to have a new bag by this evening!

[@SallieTomato]

Glad it was helpful!

[@adelaidanilo3362]

Love it! Can't wait to start this one. Has anyone tried using heavyweight denim? I want to try it with denim. Maybe let the top fray.

[@SallieTomato]

That is a great idea! We have not tried this to see how it would sew up but it would be a fun option to try. Please note that this pattern was designed for fabrics that do not fray so you would have to consider that on the edges and seams. Happy Sewing to you!

[@lizziedae91]

I really like this bag, might try it with french seams though

[@SallieTomato]

Great idea!

[@nancychandler7289]

Where did you get the Teflon foot and narrow foot for your Accomplish? Also, what size needle are you using?

[@annlarson1282]

If I want to line the bag, how about the inside pocket?

[@SallieTomato]

You could sew the inside pocket to the lining instead. You'd have to install the snaps to the lining pieces as well.

[@petrenavaz1987]

I really really like this bag it’s so simple and nice How can I get the pattern. I noticed that the pattern is free

[@SallieTomato]

Thank you. Here is the link for the free pattern. sallietomato.com/products/back-to-basics-tote-instant-download?

[@merylweintraub9747]

Can you make this bag with a cotton fabric.

[@SallieTomato]

Thank you for commenting. We recommend for best results to use a faux leather or cork fabric to provide the most stability to the tote and because this pattern was designed specifically for these types of fabrics. We have not tried it with cotton. You can try making a sample in your desired fabric to see how you may like it but again we have not tested this. Thank you for watching and happy sewing!

[@rumacostello4514]

How much faux leather or cork fabric do you need to make this bag? It looks like both fabrics are 25" wide.

[@SallieTomato]

For this pattern you need 2 pieces 32 " x 25" for all pieces to be made from. Make sure to share you finished project at #sallietomato. Happy Sewing!!

[@Sharon-bk1lh]

Can you sew this faux leather on a domestic sewing machine?

[@kellykagoshima6963]

How do you know how much faux leather to buy when you sell it by the inch?

[@SallieTomato]

The pattern calls for 32 inches so you'll buy a quantity of 32. All of our fabric is sold in 1 inch increments. We will cut a continuous piece for you. Faux Leather is 25-27″ wide. For example, if you want a 1/4 yard, change the quantity to 9 and you'll receive a piece that is 9" by 25" wide. By selling fabric by the inch, there's less waste because you receive the exact amount you need! :)

[@dottiemathews6853]

You know, i design and create tote bags, but, part of my method is using canvas tote bags that are already made. what i do is take it apart and cut and recreate them with my design using different fabrics. it's like "upcycling the bag" but i am intrigued with a new way of making a COMPLETE tote bag and i find this method very well done. I LIKE THIS! I WANT TO DO THIS! THANK YOU, SALLIE TOMATO! *sudden happy visions of Audrey Hepburn from "BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS" pop up*

[@dottiemathews6853]

and another thing i love about this is that YOU DIDN'T PUT LINING IN IT! (YAYYY!)

[@SallieTomato]

Thank you for commenting and sharing your tote bag sewing with us! We are delighted you enjoyed this video and found it helpful for your future projects. Happy sewing to you! :)

[@kerisatterwhite9618]

Can you give instructions for adding a lining to this bag?

[@heidibraun5594]

Check out Nikki & Mallory , How to: Add linings to handbags and Leather Goods

[@KelleAnnRN]

What weight thread is suggested? (newbie sewist). :-)

[@puneetmakan7823]

Please guide how add lining to this

[@heidibraun5594]

check out Nikki & Mallory , How to: Add linings to Handbags and Leather Goods

[@judithreynolds5455]

What sewing machine are you using to sew the faux leather?

[@SallieTomato]

A Baby Lock Accomplish - it's a domestic machine, but handles thicker materials beautifully! sallietomato.com/collections/genuine-collection/products/baby-lock-sewing-machine-accomplish