How much does it cost to make a tote bag

Q: How many yards of fabric do I need for a tote bag?

Fabric for one bag: 1.5 yard of outer bag fabric (45 width) and 1.5 yard of inside bag fabric (45 width). This is enough to prequilt a piece that measures 22 x 33 for the main bag, plus have enough left over for making bag handles and binding. Fusible fleece or batting for creating prequilted fabric.

Custom tote bags can add to a fun personal fashion statement. Learn how to make a lined fabric tote bag that's perfect for work and play in this straightforward home sewing project for tweens, teens or anyone new to sewing.

Table of Contents Show

1. Cut Fabrics
2. Snip Corners
3. Add Interfacing and Sew Sides
4. Create Corners
5. Sew Liner Sides and Corners
6. Piece Together and Pin
7. Sew Bag Opening
8. Turn and Press
9. Top-Stitch and Finish
How many meters of fabric does it take to make a tote bag?
Is it easy to make a tote bag?
How many yards of fabric do I need for a tote bag?

1. Cut Fabrics

For the first part of this DIY tote bag project, cut two 18"x14" rectangles of both outer and inner fabric choices then cut two 18"x14" rectangles of interfacing. Cut canvas straps into two 21" lengths.

2. Snip Corners

On the long side of all rectangles, snip a 2"x2" square from only the bottom corners. Repeat for interfacing. This will form the base of the tote.

3. Add Interfacing and Sew Sides

Press interfacing to wrong side of outer fabric rectangle. Tip: Follow the manufacturer's directions for heating and adhering your interfacing. Pin outer fabric's right sides together and sew straight 1/2" seams along the sides and bottom of piece. Note: Leave the top and two snipped corners unsewn. Press seams open.

4. Create Corners

Pinch together gaps in snipped corners, lining up the side and bottom seams in the center. Pin straight across and sew a 1/2" seam. This step adds depth to the bag and creates a flat bottom.

5. Sew Liner Sides and Corners

Pin right sides of inner (liner) fabric rectangles together and repeat the above steps.

6. Piece Together and Pin

Flip liner right-side out and place inside outer fabrics so that right sides are together. Tuck canvas straps between inner and outer fabrics so that two edges of one face the front and two edges of the other face the back of bag. Pin the end of each canvas strap approximately four inches from side seam then pin fabric edges together around perimeter of bag opening.

7. Sew Bag Opening

Beginning at a side seam, stitch a 1/2" seam almost all the way around the tote, stopping 4" before the starting point — this should catch all four ends of the canvas straps while leaving ample room for turning.

8. Turn and Press

Pull both fabrics and straps through the 4" gap, turning the tote bag right-side out. Lightly press with a warm iron to remove wrinkles.

9. Top-Stitch and Finish

Top-stitch around the tote bag's entire opening to finish edges. This will also help reinforce canvas straps and shut the gap left in the previous step for turning.

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One of the most asked questions in the Andrie Designs Facebook Group is “How do I price my items to sell them?”. We often hear thoughts such as “Am I charging too much?”, “Nobody will pay that!!!”, “I don’t want to rip anyone off”. Quite often, people end up charging less to make others happy but not really earning any money from the sale!

You may even convince yourself that you’re doing it for the love of it. A noble thought…but, unfortunately, love doesn’t pay the bills. Don’t sell yourself short. It undermines both you and the industry as a whole. People are finally starting to see handmade for the quality, unique items that they are rather than being cheap items.

Stand Up and Tote Notice

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to pricing your products. No ‘one size fits all’. If you’re having issues, ask like-minded handmade businesses or consult a business expert for advice. The following, however, are a few things to help you get started:

Research, research, research
A little research goes a long way. Take the time to get to know your market. How are other makers pricing similar items? Do you share the same target audience? How are they calculating their price? Don’t be afraid to ask around for advice. Sure, some people may not wish to share, but in my experience, I have found most people more than willing to help a fellow maker. While researching your market, make sure to check out relevant hashtags to your creations AND location. It will help to determine how the market is working in your area.

Work out your costs – honestly and realistically
Sit down and write out all of your expenses for making your items. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it adds up. Fabric, interfacing, hardware, thread it all needs to be accounted for. Don’t leave something out just because you only use a small amount. That little becomes a lot when you’re making numerous items. It might only be a dab of glue now, but it will soon be a bottle that needs to be replaced.

What about the pattern, machine maintenance, electricity, website maintenance, insurance? You don’t want to sell hundreds of items only to discover that you haven’t made a cent.

There are a number of ways to use your expenses to determine the retail price of your item. Here are some suggestions worth researching further:

Multiply the cost of materials by 2 or 3. E.g. materials x 3 = retail, or materials x 2 = wholesale, wholesale x 2 = retail.
Multiply the cost of materials by a percentage. E.g. 40 – 60%.
Add an hourly rate for labour and work out how many hours the item takes to make.

Take your time to create into account when pricing

Give yourself permission to earn money
Your time is valuable and you should be compensated accordingly. Working for $2 an hour might seem like a great way to get started, but it’s not sustainable and will end with you tired, miserable, and no longer enjoying your beloved craft. You are not ripping someone off by charging realistic prices. If someone likes your product then they will be willing to pay for more than the cost of materials used.

Reduce costs (without reducing quality)
Find ways to reduce your costs to allow for lower, but still realistic prices. Can you speed up construction with a production line rather than individual items? Are you buying items wholesale where practical?

Make sure to factor your supplies into your costs

Stand your ground
Once you have decided on a fair price, stick with it. Don’t let people talk you down. You have done your homework and know that the price accurately reflects the cost of making the item. If someone isn’t willing to pay the price, then they’re not the customer you are looking for. Kindly thank them for their interest and move on to someone who appreciates the time and effort that goes into a handmade item.

Polly Cross Body Bag

Some bonus tips:

You will not sell to everyone and THAT’S OK! Not everyone is your target customer so don’t try to please everyone
Don’t forget that you are the expert when creating an item, not usually the customer. Charge what you are worth and stand by it!
Don’t be afraid to say no! Not every design, order or request will be worth your time so be comfortable with saying no because it is ok to make things you love and not things you don’t!

Most importantly, be confident in yourself and your hard work. You are worth it.

What advice do you have when it comes to pricing your items?

-Aimee
The Little Bird Designs

How many meters of fabric does it take to make a tote bag?

What you will need: 50 cm of medium weight fabric (I bought my fabric from Ditto). Cotton is easier to sew for beginners and a firm cotton fabric is suitable for a tote bag. 2 x meters of webbing 4cm wide for the handles (I bought mine from Merchant and Mills).

Is it easy to make a tote bag?

Tote bags are super easy to make and they make great gifts! Teachers love them! The easy to sew tote bag pattern is one I use all the time. You can vary the pattern by making the bag smaller or bigger or learn how to add a zippered pocket or DIY leather straps .

How many yards of fabric do I need for a tote bag?

Fabric for one bag: 1.5 yard of outer bag fabric (45" width) and 1.5 yard of inside bag fabric (45" width). This is enough to prequilt a piece that measures 22" x 33" for the main bag, plus have enough left over for making bag handles and binding. Fusible fleece or batting for creating prequilted fabric.