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A woman cannot go out without a bag on her hands or shoulders. Here, you are given some steps to make a canvas tote bag, a jeans/denim tote bag and a gift bag.
1. How to make handmade bag: The tote bag
Before doing something, you need to prepare for it. To make a handmade tote bag, you will need to follow these steps.
1.1. How to make handmade bag – The preparation
In order to make pretty handmade bags, you need to prepare some necessary tools in advance. Here they are:
- The fabric: 2 rectangle pieces to make your tote bag.
- The scissors: To cut the fabric.
- The measuring tape: To measure the length of your wished tote bag.
- The sewing machine: To sew the pieces together to make a perfect tote bag.
- The ironing machine: To iron the fabric and make it into folds.
1.2. How to make handmade bag – The process
Were you done preparing the essential items? Great, now let’s get to work!
Step 1 of how to make handmade bag: Measuring the fabric
The measuring step is important because you need to imagine the size of your wished tote. Here are the reference sizes for your choice:
-
- Large: 22 in (55.88 cm) x 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Medium: 16 in (40.64 cm) x 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Small: 13 in (33.02 cm) x 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Strap length: 43 in (110cm)
Here, we are making a medium bag. Thus, let’s measure your piece of fabric and mark the spot.
Step 2 of how to make handmade bag: Cutting the fabric
You need to be careful in this step. The best scissors for you is the one specialized in the garment industry.

Now, you need to cut the fabric into 2 pieces according to the marked spots.
Step 3 of how to make handmade bag: Ironing the fabric

After cutting the fabric, you need to iron them for smoothness so that your tote bag will have a better appearance.
Step 4 of how to make handmade bag: Sewing the fabric
Be careful with the sewing machine. If you have not gotten used to it, you can sew it with your hands instead.

- Sew your 2 fabric pieces in the front first to keep them attached.
- Fold it over and sew the back side.
Now you have the tote bag. But isn’t there something missing? Oh yes, the handles.
Step 5 of how to make handmade bag: The handles
A tote is not a tote without the handles. We have already provided the length of the straps before.

Just like the previous steps, you will need to measure, cut and sew the straps. But, before doing so, you will need to fold them first, like this:

Folding straps will guarantee the thickness as well as the complete appearance to your tote. Then, keep doing the next steps.

After folding them, you will need to sew them to keep them in place. Remember to be careful because this piece is smaller than the tote body pieces.

Here we also suggest you iron the straps for the smoothness, like the tote pieces.

Then, sew them into your tote bag. Ta da, congrats on your first handmade product!
1.3. How to make handmade bag – The mix matching tips
The tote bag is the most common and most used bag by women. Here we recommend you some purposes for your handmade tote bag:

This is the casual style for students to go to school or at friends’ gatherings. It is convenient and simple at the same time.

You can use totes with patterns at the workplace to elevate your look. You can use different fabrics to your interests.

This is a tote bag for the vacations. You can use colorful and neon fabrics to stand out from the crowd.
2. How to make handmade bag: The jeans/denim bag
Are you having unused jeans? If it has been in your closet for a long time, why don’t you transform it into a jeans bag?
2.1. How to make handmade bag – The preparation
Of course, you also need to prepare for this type of bag. Here are the necessary tools
- The jeans/denim fabric: 2 pieces.
- The scissors: To cut the fabric.
- The measuring tape: To measure the length of your bag.
- The sewing machine: To sew the pieces together.
2.2. How to make handmade bag – The process
Have you finished preparing? Cool, now let’s do it!

You need to think of your desired size first. Here we recommend cutting the jeans 45cm in length.

Also, after cutting jeans into two pieces, you need to cut the stitches of the leg to make it rectangle shapes. Then, cut two 8 cm square pieces in the corner of the bag.

Then, sew the spots together. Remember to sew on the back side so that your bag won’t appear ugly.

Also, use the rest of the jeans to make two handhelds. The steps are just like making tote bag straps. You can use the buttons on the jeans to make the button snap for your jeans bag.
Alright, now you have your jeans bag. Are you satisfied?
2.3. How to make handmade bag: The mix matching tips
Like tote bags, jeans/denim bags are easy to mix. Here are some of our suggestions.

This is an idea to mix matching the denim bag. You can use it on either your daily basis or at your workplace, like this:

You can take this style into consideration.
3. How to make handmade bag: The paper bag
Are you having an upcoming birthday party? If you are in a hurry to find a bag for you present then don’t be worried, we will help you out.
3.1. How to make handmade bag – The preparation
Preparing your paper bag is easy since the tools contain simple ones.
We will need some means to make a paper bag:
- Paper: A4 paper.
- Glue: To stick paper.
- Holes punch: To create holes for the straps.
- The scissors: To cut the straps with proper length.
That is so easy. Now, let’s do it!
3.2. How to make handmade bag – The process
Making a paper bag is not difficult since it takes you only 5 minutes to do.
Step 1 of how to make handmade bag: The forming step

First, you need to fold 3/4 the paper and put a glue on it. Next, fold the rest or the paper to create the form of the bag.

Next, on the bottom, fold two small triangles like in the picture.

Then, open it and fold once again, we will show you in the next picture.

Alright, have you done it? Let’s move to the next step!

Now you need to put the glue on two spots like in the picture to get the bottom of the bag. Do it again on the other side.

Ok! Next, you’ll need to fold the sides of the bag like what is shown above. This is how you make a paper bag.
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Step 2 of how to make handmade bag: The finished product
Isn’t something missing? Oh right, the straps. Here is how we do it.

Use a holes punch to make ways for the straps.

Next, put the wire in and don’t forget to tie it! You don’t want your bag to be broken.

That’s it, you have done your paper bag! Hope you like it!
3.3. How to make handmade bag: The uses
The paper bags can be used for multiple purposes. Also, it saves the environment if you use it for only one time.

This is a paper gift bag. If you have aesthetic sense and dexterity, you can decorate your bag in a prettier way.

This use of paper bags is most commonly seen from students to office workers to bring their lunch.
So, have you known how to make handmade bag? Let us know!
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