How to Make a Puff Tote Bag (Free Pattern Included!)

Puff quilt tote bags are stylish, functional, and incredibly fun to make! If you’ve ever wanted to try quilting in a unique way, this project is perfect for you. Not only is it beginner-friendly, but it’s also a great scrap-buster and a fantastic way to showcase your favorite fabrics with fussy cutting.

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to make a puff quilt tote bag step by step, including tips to ensure your bag turns out beautifully. Plus, I’m offering a free puff tote bag pattern so you can follow along easily!

Why You’ll Love This Puff Tote Bag

? Great for scraps – Use up small fabric pieces from your stash.
? Show off fussy cutting – Perfect for highlighting special prints.
? Trendy & practical – A lightweight, quilted bag for everyday use.
? Beginner-friendly – If you can sew a straight stitch, you can make this!

Materials Needed for your Puff Quilt Tote Bag

Before we begin, gather your materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 50 fabric squares (3 ½” x 3 ½”) – These will be the outer puff pockets.
• 50 fabric squares (3″ x 3″) – These will be the backing squares, hidden inside the bag.
• Stuffing – A lightweight polyfill works best.
• Two fabric strips (4″ x 26″) – For the bag handles.
• Two batting strips (3″ x 26″) – For added structure in the handles.
• Two lining fabric squares (12 ½” x 12 ½”).

???? Tip: If using light-colored fabric for the outer pockets, stick to light-colored backing fabric to prevent it from showing through.

Step 1: Sewing the Puff Pockets

Each side of the tote bag consists of 25 puff pockets arranged in a 5×5 grid. Here’s how to make them:

1. Place a 3 ½” x 3 ½” outer square right side up on top of a 3″ x 3″ backing square (right side down).
2. Align the top right corners and sew 2-3 stitches down using a slightly less than ¼” seam allowance.
3. Stop with the needle down and align the bottom right corners.
4. Pinch the extra fabric in the middle to create a pleat, then sew down the edge.
5. Repeat on two more sides, leaving one edge open for stuffing.
6. Continue these steps for all 50 squares (25 per tote side).

Watch it in action in this youtube video:

Step 2: Assembling the Rows

Once all puff pockets are sewn, it’s time to assemble them into rows:

1. Sew 5 pockets together in a row using a ¼” seam allowance.
2. Repeat to create five rows per tote side.
3. Be sure to nest your seams for a flatter finish.

Step 3: Adding the Puff & Closing the Pockets

Now comes the fun part—adding the puff!

1. Lightly stuff each pocket with polyfill. Avoid overstuffing, as it will make sewing difficult.
2. Once stuffed, sew along the open edge with a slightly less than ¼” seam allowance to close each row.
3. When closing the rows, sew 2-3 stitches in, stop, pinch the fabric, and create a pleat in the middle before continuing.
4. Once all rows are closed, sew them together with a ¼” seam allowance to form the full outer tote panel.

???? Tip: Overstuffing can make the seams too bulky, so aim for just enough to add volume without pushing against the open edge.

Step 4: Making & Attaching the Handles

To make sturdy handles for your tote:

1. Center a 3″ x 26″ batting strip on the wrong side of a 4″ x 26″ fabric strip.
2. Fold the fabric edges over the batting and press.
3. Fold in half lengthwise and press again.
4. Sew 1/8″ from both long edges to secure the handle.
5. Attach the handles 2 ½” from each tote side with a ¼” seam allowance.

Step 5: Sewing the Lining

To create a clean, finished interior:

1. Take two 12 ½” lining squares and sew along three edges with a ¼” seam allowance, leaving an 8-inch gap at the bottom.
2. Set aside for later assembly.

Step 6: Sewing the Tote Together

Now it’s time to put everything together!

1. Place the two outer puff panels right sides together and sew along three sides with a ¼” seam allowance, leaving the top open.
2. Turn the outer tote right side out.
3. Place the outer tote inside the lining (which should still be inside out) so that the right sides are facing each other.
4. Clip the top edges together and sew around the perimeter with a ¼” seam allowance.
5. Pull the tote through the lining gap, topstitch around the top edge, and close the lining gap with an invisible stitch.

And that’s it—you’ve just made your own puff tote bag!

Final Thoughts

This puff tote bag is not only a fun quilting project but also a great way to experiment with fabric choices, fussy cutting, and puff quilting techniques. It’s the perfect stylish, lightweight bag for everyday use, and it makes an amazing gift!

If you loved making this, I’d love to see your version! Tag me @sweetpotatoquilts on Instagram and share your makes.

What fabric theme would you love to see for a puff tote? Drop your ideas in the comments!