Tote Bag Pattern for Any Quilt Block

If you’ve made several projects and quilts based on block patterns, chances are you might have a few extra quilt blocks that you may not know what to do with. In this series of blog posts, I am sharing easy tote bag pattern projects that you can use with any quilt block. This post specifically focuses on tote bag patterns using quilt blocks that are 18″ x 18″. Additionally, these projects are perfect for turning your extra blocks into functional and stylish tote bags! Scroll down for detailed instructions and tips on how to make the most of your extra quilt blocks.

Benefits of turning Quilt Blocks into Tote Bags

Y’all, I am never buying a tote bag again! First, I feel so proud to have made this item myself. Second, it is a one-of-a-kind, with it being handmade! This tote bag pattern will have you busting through your extra quilt blocks, and it is just as functional as any other tote bag that you use daily for your essentials. Read below for instructions on how to turn any 18” block into a tote bag. If you don’t have any extra quilt blocks laying around, check out the Sweet Potato Quilt Club, where our mix & match quilt block patterns give you unlimited options for your projects, including these tote bags!

Materials for Making a Tote Bag

Fabric: (2) 18.5″ x 18.5″ unfinished Quilt Club blocks or fabric squares (outer shell)
(2) 18.5″ x 18.5″ fabric squares (inner lining)
(2) 4″ x 29″ (handles)
Fusible Interfacing: I recommend using Pellon 931TD Fusible Midweight Interfacing.
(2) 18″ x 18″ squares (outer shell)
(2) 3.5″ x 19″ (handles)

Making the Tote Bag Handles

1. Lay the textured, bumpier side of (1) 3 ½” x 29” interfacing strip down along the wrong side of (1) 4″ x 29” fabric handle.
2. Iron the interfacing onto the fabric.
3. Fold the overflowing edges of fabric over the interfacing and press.
4. Fold the handle in half length-wise so that only the right side of the fabric is showing. Press.
5. Sew â…›” seam along both long edges of the the handle.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 to make (2) handles.

Outer Shell

1. Lay the textured, bumpier side of (1) 18” x 18” interfacing square down along the center of wrong side of (1) 18 ½” x 18 ½” outer shell square.
2. Iron the interfacing onto the fabric.
3. Repeat steps 1-2 to make (2) outer shell units.
4. Place the (2) outer shell units RST and sew ¼” seam along the edge of (3) sides.

Inner Lining

1. Place the (2) inner lining units RST and sew ¼” seam along the edge of (3) sides, while leaving a 6″ gap/slit along the bottom side. The side that is not sewn shut will be the top (opening) of the tote.

Boxing/Square Bottom

1. Gather the inner lining unit and flatten one of the bottom corners by separating the nearby fabric on both sides of that corner.
2. When the corner is flat, it should look like a pizza slice. Feel the seams on both sides of the corner and make any adjustments needed to make sure they are aligned.
3. Clip or pin the corner in place.
4. Using a ruler, draw a 4” line that runs perpendicular to the seams.
5. Sew along that line.
6. Trim off the corner, ¼” away from the seam.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 (3) more times for the other inner lining corner, and for both corners of the outer shell unit.

Tote Bag Construction

1. Sew the handles to the outside of the bag, each 4″ from the side and ¼” over the top edge. Then, make sure the same side of the handle is sewn onto the outside of the bag.

2. Bag the outer panel inside of the inner panel with all right sides of fabric facing each other.

3. Clip the tops together along the perimeter, starting at either side seam.

4. Sew ¼” seam along the top edge.
5. Pull the outer panel through the inner panel slit.

6. Top stitch 1/8″ along the outer edge of the top.
7. Sew the inner lining slit shut.

Enjoy your tote!

Do you want a downloadable PDF pattern of this?