Headline Tote Bag Sewing Pattern: A Quick, Fun Project for Every Skill Level

Say hello to your new favorite tote bag sewing pattern: the Headline Tote Bag! This versatile and beginner-friendly sewing pattern features a simple design and durable construction. With only three pattern pieces and no hardware required, this tote is quick to sew and easy to customize. It’s the perfect scrap-busting project that holds its shape and shows off beautiful quilting lines, making it a go-to pattern you’ll want to sew again and again.

Read more details about the tote bag pattern below, or skip straight to the purchase page here.

Simple, Versatile, and Approachable

The Headline Tote Bag Sewing Pattern is ideal for intermediate and advanced sewers, as well as beginners looking to practice quilting lines and bias tape. Quilting cotton is the most basic and easiest fabric to use for this tote bag pattern. Heavier fabrics like canvas, home decor fabrics, denim, or other woven fabrics also work well, adding extra structure and durability.

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Practical Uses for the Headline Tote

This easy tote bag sewing pattern is a great catch-all bag! Use it as a reusable market bag, a swim bag (made with waterproof material), gift bags, a project bag, an overnight bag, or even as an everyday carry. My personal favorite way to use the Headline Tote is for carrying a variety of snacks for long road trips. The handles wrap around the bottom for added sturdiness, while the foam stabilizer helps the bag maintain its shape, stand up, and stay open for easy access. The roomy interior has two slip pockets on each side that easily fit a large water bottle or small items that you need to keep separate from the main compartment.

Why You’ll Love the Headline Tote Bag Sewing Pattern

• Minimal Pattern Pieces: No paper pattern pieces to cut out. The three pieces are simple rectangles cut by measurements. The only template needed is for the rounded corners.
• Quick to Sew: This tote bag is a fast project for those looking for a simple yet satisfying sew.
• No Hardware Needed: This makes the pattern even more accessible for sewers, as many can use materials already in their stash.
• Endless Customization: While the pattern includes instructions for straight-line quilting, any quilting style will work. Once you’ve mastered the sleek straight lines, try experimenting with other quilting designs!
• Perfect for Gift-Giving: Need a last-minute gift? The Headline Tote is an excellent handmade option. You can even fill it with the recipient’s favorite things.
• Large Batch Sewing: Preparing for a craft show or handmade market? The Headline Tote is easy to produce in large quantities for your booth.
• Video Tutorial Included: Along with the PDF sewing pattern, you’ll have access to a detailed video tutorial with step-by-step instructions and tips.

Required Materials to Make the Headline Tote

• Fabric: Quilting cotton, canvas, upholstery fabric, home decor fabric, waterproof canvas, or denim are all great options for both the interior and exterior.
• Foam Stabilizer: The pattern is designed for use with foam stabilizer to give structure and highlight the quilting details. I recommend ByAnnie.com’s Soft & Stable or Pellon Flex-Foam. You can use quilt batting, but it may not provide the same structure.
• Handles: The pattern is written for 1″ cotton or polyester webbing.
• Bias Tape: Extra wide ½” double fold bias tape or 2″–2¼” half-fold bias tape (my favorite). The pattern includes instructions for using both types of bias tape to finish the raw edges.

Recommended Tools for the Headline Tote Bag

While the Headline Tote is best made with a sewing machine, it can also be sewn by hand and will still be beautiful and sturdy! Here’s a list of my recommended tools:

• Sewing Machine: This tote bag sewing pattern can be made on any domestic home sewing machine or more advanced sewing machines. I’m a big fan of Janome sewing machines. All tote bags shown her are made on my Janome HD9 sewing machine.
• Needle and Thread: Have a variety of sewing needles and thread on hand to match your project needs. I mostly use Schmetz sewing needles or Organ sewing needles. Be sure to reference your sewing machine manual to get the right kind of needles for your machine.
• Ruler(s): A good set of quilting rulers is a worthwhile investment. This Omnigrid 2½” x 12½” ruler is the most-used ruler in my studio.
• Fabric Scissors: I use these fabric scissors and thread snips the most!
• Removable Fabric Pen: Water-soluble or disappearing fabric pens are great for temporary markings.
• Proper Needle and Presser Foot for Fabrics and Thread: Using the right needle and presser foot for your chosen fabrics and thread is essential for smooth sewing. Remember, the needle type is for the fabric, the needle size is for the thread.
• Sewing Clips or Pins: I use both sewing clips and pins when making Headline Tote Bags! These are my favorite sewing clips and extra-fine glass head sewing pins.
• Quilting Foot (Optional): If you have a quilting foot, now’s the time to use it. If not, I highly recommend it for all machine quilting projects. I don’t always use my quilting foot, but never regret it when I do.
• Basting Spray (Optional): I always use this basting spray for sewing projects. I recommend using outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Quilter’s Safety Pins (Optional): Quilting safety pins are slightly different from standard ones because they are bent.
• School Glue Stick (Optional): A basic school glue stick is a must-have in every sewing room. The Elmer’s Craft Bond Glue is also a handy addition to a craft room.

Sewing Tips for Making the Headline Tote Bag

Quilting:

• I have found that using basting spray to temporarily hold the layers together is the simplest option. It’s quicker than pinning (and removing pins) and helps prevent the fabric and foam layers from shifting.
• Start sewing all quilting lines from the same direction to reduce any waviness and shifting.
• Lengthen your stitch length to 4 or 5 for a bold quilting look. Both contrast and matching thread work beautifully for this bag.
• Try out a contrast thread color to really make those quilting lines pop!

Bias Tape:

• I love using handmade cotton 2¼” half-fold bias tape for this tote. It gives a clean finish, especially when working with quilting cotton. Here’s a great tutorial on How to Make Continuous Bias Tape, just remember to make it at 2¼”.
• Store-bought 2″ double-fold bias tape works well too, and the application instructions are nearly the same as using half fold.
• The pattern includes instructions for finishing the bias tape with mitered corners for a polished look.
• You can use bias tape in a contrast color or in the same color as the main panels.

Tri-Fold Toiletry Bag Sewing Pattern with Videos

Make a hanging toiletry bag to organize all those small things in your luggage. This bag makes a great gift for someone special (or yourself)!

Get the pattern