How I Modified My Tote Bag Pattern with Knot Handles and a Shoulder Strap
I’ve been experimenting with different ways to finish my tote bags lately, and I wanted to share a fun variation I recently made using my go-to method for turning any 12” quilt block into a bag. This time, I added two short knot handles in addition to a single long shoulder strap—and I love the result.
Inspired by fashion bags that use sliding straps to gently close the top of the bag, this version gives you the option to carry it in your hands or wear it on your shoulder while keeping the bag lightly closed.
What’s Different About This Version from the Original Tote Bag Pattern?
The difference between my knot version and the inspiration is the fact that you can still wear my version over the shoulder. The construction of the bag is exactly the same as my original tote bag pattern that uses a 12” quilt block. The only alteration is in the added handle construction.
Instead of making two standard-length handles, I made one longer shoulder strap (just like in the original pattern) and added two shorter handles that get tied into simple knots. On one of the panels, one shorter handle is sewn right on top of the shoulder strap at the same attachment points.
When you wear the bag on your shoulder using the single longer strap, you can first slide it under the knot handles, gently pulling the top of the bag closed with no hardware or drawstring needed. Conversely, you can simply carry the bag in your hands using the shorter knot straps while the unused longer strap hides inside the bag.
Materials You’ll Need for the Handle Variation
In addition to the fabric and batting listed in the original pattern, you’ll also need:
- (2) fabric rectangles – 6.5” x 22”
- (2) batting rectangles – 5.5” x 21”
These will become your knotted handles.
These instructions assume that you have already made a 12″ quilt block. The blocks that are pictured in these tote bags are from the BOM Party and Sweet Potato Quilt Club.
How to Make the Knotted Handles
- Center the batting on the wrong side of each 6.5” x 22” fabric rectangle.
- Press the long edges of the fabric over the batting, folding toward the center.
- Then, fold the whole unit in half lengthwise to enclose all raw edges.
- Topstitch 1/8″ in from the open edge to stitch it closed, then do the same on the other side. Repeat all steps so that you have two handles.
- Gently tie each strip into a simple knot, adjusting the look to your liking.
Attaching the Handles
- With handle facing down, sew one shorter handle onto the top of the unit.
- On the other side of the bag, sew the long shoulder strap onto the quilt block, on top of one of the knotted handles. Sew through all three layers..
- From there, follow the rest of the tote bag pattern as written.
The Finished Bag
This version gives you two carry options—grab it by the short knotted handles, or wear it on your shoulder with the longer strap. I love the extra dimension the knots add, and the way the longer shoulder strap gently pulls the top closed when worn.
Happy sewing!
