This document provides instructions for making a leather strap tote bag in 16 steps. It includes a list of materials needed such as fabric, faux leather, and binding. The instructions explain how to cut out and assemble the bag parts which include the bag top cut into three pieces, and bag bottom. It then details each step to sew the sides and bottom, add boxed corners, and attach the binding and leather strap handles. Templates are provided to print the pattern pieces for cutting out the tote bag.

1. materials and tools
step one
1
Leather Strap
Tote
materials and tools
Created by Rachel Faucett
• 1¼ yards of fabric for the bag top
• 18ʺ x 24ʺ rectangle of contrast fabric
for the bag base
• 3ʺ x 20ʺ strip of faux leather for the
handle
• One package (approximately 60ʺ) of
extra-wide double-fold bias binding
(or make your own!)
• Clear quilters’ ruler
• Fabric marker
• Thread
• Scissors
Classic design meets
modern twist. This cool
tote with boxed bottom
can carry anything you
throw at (or in) it. The
leather strap simplifies
the design and accentu-ates
your style.
Clean, classic lines mean
it’s easy to construct, so
you go from zero to tote-and-
go in less time. It
won’t be long before this
becomes your go-to tote.
 Print the pattern piece templates (pages 6-9).
 The bag top is split into three pieces; cut them out and tape
them together before cutting out your fabric pieces!

2. step two
 Iron your fabric, then cut
out the bag tops (2) and
bag bottoms (2).
step three
Stitch the bottom
to the top for each
side of the bag using
½ʺ-wide seam
allowances.
step five
2
Leather Strap Tote
step four
 Press the seam allowances towards the bottom of the bag.
 Topstitch the edge of the base seam on each side. I used
decorative stitch #401 on my BERNINA 580 E, with a width
of 7.1 mm and length of 5.1 mm. Experiment with decorative
stitches, or keep it simple with just a straight stitch.

3. step six
 With right sides together, stitch the side and bottom edges of
the bag using a ½ʺ-wide seam allowance.
 Press the seam allowances open.
step seven
 Using a clear quilters’ ruler, measure in 1½ʺ at the corners
of the base of the bag as shown; mark with a fabric pen.
step nine
3
Leather Strap Tote
step eight
 Cut the squares from the corners of the bag base.
 With the bag still inside out, pinch the cut-out edges together
as shown, making sure the previously sewn seams are
pressed open. Pin in place.

4. step ten
 Sew the corner edges
together with ½ʺ-wide
seam allowances.
This will create nice
boxed corners on the
base of your bag.
step eleven
 On one side of the top edge of your bag, pin the bias binding
in place.
step thirteen
4
Leather Strap Tote
step twelve
 Sew the binding to the bag, stitching close to the edge of the
binding (a scant ⅛ʺ) as shown.
 For the second half of the binding, start by opening the
binding at its main crease and folding the corners in slightly
as shown.
 Then fold the end under ½ʺ; press.

5. step fourteen
 Pin the binding in place, then repeat the above folding
technique once you reach the other edge on the point of the
bag, overlapping the ends.
 Stitch the binding in place as you did in step eleven.
step fifteen
 For the handle, fold the leather strip in half lengthwise;
press (check a scrap first to make sure it won’t melt).
Fold under each outer edge ½ʺ; press. Finally, fold press
the center crease again with all edges turned under.
 Stitch the open edges of the strap together close to the
edge (a scant ⅛ʺ), making sure you catch both sides of the
strap in your stitches.
5
Leather Strap Tote
step sixteen
 To attach the handle to the bag, pin it to the points of the
bag as the desired length.
 “Stitch-in-the-ditch” beside the binding and across the
bottom of the handle, creating a triangle shape as shown.
 To make sure those handles are nice and secure, go over
your stitching again about three times.
Voila! Your sweet little market
tote bag is complete! Enjoy!

6. Leather Strap Tote
Leather Strap Tote Pattern Templates
+ +
Leather Strap Tote
Top—Part 1 of 3
Join Here
Tape the three
Top sections—
1, 2, and 3—together.
After joining the top
pieces together, cut
two tops on the fold.
Join pieces,
then cut
on fold
=

7. Join pieces, then cut on fold
Leather Strap Tote
Top—Part 2 of 3
Join Here
Join Here
Leather Strap Tote
Leather Strap Tote Pattern Templates

8. Join pieces, then cut on fold
Leather Strap Tote
Top—Part 3 of 3
Join Here
Leather Strap Tote
Leather Strap Tote Pattern Templates

9. Leather Strap Tote
Bottom—cut 2 on fold
Leather Strap Tote
Leather Strap Tote Pattern Templates
Cut on fold