Hey everyone. Today we're turning a handful of fat quarters into a sturdy, go-everywhere tote bag — simple seams, boxed corners, and handles that stay put.
Here we go.
First, the fabric
This one is the 2025 Tula Pink True Colors - Fat Quarter Gray bundle, from Free Spirit Fabrics.
What you get is right on the label. The bundle holds 17 pieces. Every fat quarter measures 18 inches by 21 inches. The designer is Tula Pink. The group name is 2025 True Colors.
At Linda's, this SKU sits with the fat quarter bundles. Its tags point to gray and Grayworks. That gray family is calm and modern.
I love a bundle like this for a tote. Lay five pieces out, swap two around, and your bag is planned. Just like that. Prints you love most go outside, quieter ones inside. Completely up to you.
The project: a fat quarter tote bag
A tote is honest work, y'all. Groceries, library books, a quilt for show-and-tell — it carries them without fuss.
Ours finishes about 13 inches wide, 13 inches tall, and 4 inches deep, with about a 9-inch handle drop.
Why does this fabric suit it? An 18 by 21 inch fat quarter gives you a clean 16 by 16 inch panel with trim to spare. And with 17 pieces, you pick two prints for the outside, two for the lining, and one more for handles and a pocket.
Materials list
- 1 bundle of 2025 Tula Pink True Colors - Fat Quarter Gray, 17 pieces at 18 inches by 21 inches (you will use 5 fat quarters for one tote)
- Fusible fleece or medium interfacing: about 1 yard, optional, for extra body
- Thread for construction and topstitching
- Rotary cutter, mat, ruler, pins or clips, iron, scissors, and your sewing machine
I like a fresh size 80/12 needle, switching to a 90/14 for thick handle layers. Stitch length around 2.5 millimeters, about 3.0 for topstitching. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Brief steps
- Cut the panels. From two fat quarters, cut two outer panels at 16 inches by 16 inches. Cut two lining panels the same size from two more. If using fleece, fuse a 16 by 16 inch piece to the wrong side of each outer panel.
- Make the handles. From the fifth fat quarter, cut two strips 5 inches by 21 inches. Fold each in half, press, open it, fold raw edges to the center, then fold in half again — about 1 and a quarter inches wide. Topstitch both edges.
- Sew the outer bag. Place outer panels right sides together. Sew sides and bottom with a half-inch seam. Pinch one bottom corner flat, stitch across it 2 inches from the point, and trim to a half inch. Repeat on the other corner.
- Sew the lining. Do the same with the lining panels, but leave a 4-inch opening in the bottom seam. Box those corners the same 2-inch way, so the lining sits smooth. Add a simple pocket to one lining panel first, if you like.
- Attach the handles. Pin one handle to the top of one outer panel, ends about 3 inches in from each side seam, loop pointing down. Baste in place. Repeat on the other panel. Go slow here — slow down or a thick stack can shift under the foot.
- Join and finish. Turn the outer bag right side out and slip it inside the lining, right sides together. Match side seams, sew around the top with a half-inch seam, then pull the bag through the lining opening. Close the opening, tuck the lining in, press, and topstitch a quarter inch from the edge.
Tips from our table in McKinney
Press every seam as you go, folks. Lift and set the iron down. Dragging it can stretch a panel out of square.
I have sewn a handle in twisted before. Oh my goodness. I caught it at topstitching, laughed at myself, unpicked about two inches, and fixed it flat. Check both ends face the same way before that final seam.
And here is the permission part. Your boxed corners do not have to match to the sixteenth of an inch. A tote with one corner a hair deeper still carries groceries just fine. You are your own worst critic. Take your time. It's not a race.
Use the other twelve fat quarters for a second tote, or save them toward a quilt top.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. Super duper useful, and really really satisfying when you turn it right side out.
Alrighty. Thank y'all so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 2025 Tula Pink True Colors - Fat Quarter Gray at Linda's Electric Quilters.
