DIY tote bag ideas are some of the most popular things people look for these days. It’s easy to see why; it is incredible how many pieces of fabrics, old t-shirts, and used purses can turn into some trendy, stylish looking tote bags.
The following awesome DIY tote bag ideas will prove that you don’t need to buy expensive supplies just to come up with a relevant accessory that can easily highlight your outfit of the day.
1. Cool DIY Tote Bag
If you are looking for something suitable for an office outfit, look no more. This easy to do tote bag can easily accessorize your look without too much trouble. The tutorial itself is a lifesaver since it teaches you how to make a tote bag in less than 30 minutes. It will save you time and money and you will get to sport something made by you.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 30 minutes or less
Materials used:
- 1/2-yard medium weight fabric
- 1 1/2-yards cotton webbing
- Sewing machine with coordinating thread
- A cutting mat
- A ruler
- A rotary cutter
2. Cute Mini Tote Bag
Kids definitely love tote bags so this tutorial is perfect if you are looking to spend more time with your kid, work on a tutorial together and end up having some fabulous bags.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Materials used:
- 2 pieces of cotton fabric 10” wide x 24” long
- 1 piece of cotton batting 10” wide x 24” long
- 2 strips of cotton fabric 6” wide x 18” long
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
3. Easy DIY Tote Bag
If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a new tote bag and you want to keep up with the latest fashion trends, but still keep a unique touch when it comes to your fashion style, the following tutorial will show you how easy it is to become your own stylist and come up with some amazing tote bag patterns and designs.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: around one hour or less
Materials used:
- Dish towels
- Cloth napkins
- Sewing machine
4. Inspired DIY Tote Bag Patterns
What DIY tote bag ideas show you is that they can be personalized a beautiful thousand ways. You can have tote bags with leather straps or upcycle a piece of fabric and turn it into a fancy bag or even paint or print different patterns on a simple canvas, sew the pieces together and create a stunning accessory. The following tutorial will teach you how to create some splendid arabesque patterns for your tote bag.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 40 minutes
Materials used:
- 1/2 yard of exterior fabric
- 1 yard of fabric for lining and straps
- 1-2/3 yard of Pellon Shape Flex fusible woven interfacing
- 1/2 yard of By Annie’s Soft and Stable
- 14″ regular zipper
- Zipper foot
- Invisible fabric marker
- Ruler and cutting mat
- Iron
5. Personalized Quotes Tote Bag
Let’s face it; we turn our heads when we see people wearing clothes with printed quotes. We want to get to read the entire sentence and try finding out more about a person based on the quotes he or she chooses to wear. This neat tutorial will teach you how to get a rad DIY tote bag and use your favorite quote to personalize it without too much hassle.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 50 minutes or so
Materials used:
- Leather strips
- Scissors or a seam ripper
- Letter stamps
- Fabric paint
6. Homemade Canvas Tote Bag
This DIY canvas tote bag may be simple, but its simplicity allows you to come up with some amazing design. Besides, the canvas tote bag is known to last longer than other types of bags and this is definitely good news if you’re looking for a reliable accessory to use for several seasons.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: half an hour or so
Materials used:
- Scissors
- Fabric
- Sewing machine
- Ruler
- Pen
7. DIY Dyed Tote Bag
There is an easy and fast way to dye a tote. It is the most inspired idea for someone who wants a cool design for a bag and who doesn’t like to spend too much time and money searching for a particular tote bag in shops when there are plenty of tutorials that allow you to come up with a design of your choice.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 15 minutes
Materials used:
8. Patched Tote Bag
Do you feel that your tote bag is just too ordinary, too plain? Change its look by adding patches, stickers, patterns and other crazy designs. It’s oh-so-simple to pick some cool accessories and make your tote bag stand out from the rest of the crowd of bugs.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 10-20 minute
Materials used:
9. Cute Ballerina Tote Bag
So maybe you are a still a kid at heart. Why not show it off by adding sparkle, tulle, and gems to your tote bag so everyone can see your fun side? If you’re a parent, this is the perfect gift for your little girl but the result might make you want to keep it for yourself!
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 1-2 hours
Materials:
- Chiffon fabric
- Lace ribbon
- Embroidery thread, embroidery needle
- Crystal beads
- Needle and matching color thread
10. Simple Painted Tote Bag
You don’t have to be a painter in order to come up with a modern masterpiece; you can redesign a simple tote bag by using some cool tips and patterns; the right paint colors and patterns can make any DIY tote bag look as if it were bought from a shop.
Level of Difficulty: easy
Duration: 10 minutes
Materials used:
- Marabu Fashion-spray
- Fashion-liner
- Glitter-liner
11. Gorgeous Purse Tote Bag
Who said that a tote bag can’t look like a stunning purse? The easy-to-follow video tutorial will teach you how to create a tote bag that looks like a purse and has a cute zipper attached to it, too.
Level of difficulty: intermediate
Duration: 1-2 hours
Materials used:
- Felt fabrics
- Zipper
- Needle and thread
12. Printed Tote Bag
Looking for a no-sew tote bag project that involves cool prints? Well, look no more. This tutorial will show you how easy it is to have a tote bag without too much effort from your side.
Level of Difficulty: easy
Duration: 10-20 minutes
Materials used:
- Old t-shirt
- Scissors
13. DIY Heat Transfer Tote Bag
There are plenty of awesome heat transfer patterns that you can try out. You’ll be able to enjoy some fabulous tote bags in a matter of minutes.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Materials used:
- Heat transfer patches and supplies
- A simple tote bag
14. Stenciled Tote Bag
If you aren’t in a creative mood you can always use stencils to adorn your tote bag and turn it into one cool accessory that you can’t do without.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 20 minutes
Materials used:
- Stencils
- Stencil brushes
- Paint
15. Sweet Animal Designs Tote Bags
Animal heads are still trending when it comes to neat prints or designs for your bag. So why not follow the trends and create something nice at the same time? The following tutorial will show you how to come up with a stunning DIY tote bag.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 30 minutes
Materials used:
- Black Fabric Paint
- 2 x A4 Paper
- Masking Tape
- Pencil
- Rubber / Eraser
- Craft Knife
- Ruler
- Cutting Mat
- Sponge Brush
- Paint Brush
- Tray / Palette
- Iron
- A piece of Fabric
16. Minimalist DIY Tote Bag
Some fashion trends take up a special place in our hearts; the minimalist fashion trend will never fall out of style so if you want a tote bag to match your fashion style, go for a tutorial that teaches you how to make a superb minimalist DIY tote bag.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 45 minutes
Materials used:
- White cotton canvas
- Dark brown fabric
- Leather strap for the handle
- 4 small rivets to connect the leather handle to the bag
- 2 large eyelets with a hole diameter of 14 mm
- Hammer
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Pins
- Chalk
- Measuring tape
- Iron
- Pattern template
17. Original Print Tote Bag
With so many new technologies available right now, it’s so easy to find that kind of tutorial that makes your life easier and helps you create a tote bag that you really like and that also has a unique design.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 35 minutes
Materials used:
- Stencils
- Paint
- Canvas
- Ink
- Iron
18. Upcycled DIY Tote Bag
DIY projects have started from a noble purpose: to learn how to recycle and upcycle certain products and to see something valuable even in an old piece of fabric. So if you have different materials, supplies or fabrics lying around your house, why not put them to good use? Here is a tutorial on how to make a tote bag using upcycled materials.
Level of difficulty: medium
Duration: 1-2 hours
Materials used:
- Cutter Tablecloth
- Lining fabric
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Leather Lacing 10mm and 3mm
- Leather punch
- Small Rivets
- Vintage button
19. Oversized Tote Bag
You can create an oversized tote bag by sewing together two tablecloths or towels. You can use any type of fabric you feel like.
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: 30 minutes
Materials used:
- Fabric of choice
- Stapler
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Belt
- Duct tape
- Iron
20. Upcycled T-shirt Tote Bag
Some DIY tote bag ideas really take the cake. Who knew that an upcycled t-shirt can turn into an awesome tote bag?
Level of difficulty: easy
Duration: around 10 minutes
Materials used:
- Old t-shirt – The thicker the fabric, the sturdier the bag
- Sharp scissors, preferably fabric scissors
- Washable marker (optional)
Conclusion
The DIY tote bag ideas you’ve just seen are just the icing on the cake. You can start with any tutorial and add other things that you believe might work better for your projects and needs. If you love working with fabrics and different materials, here’s a list of DIY crafts that include delicate lace patterns!
