This step-by-step guide shows you how to sew a mini tote bag that's just the right size for toddlers. Cute, practical, and fun to make!
If you've ever been out with a toddler, you know they love carrying their own "stuff."
Toys, snacks, random rocks from the park, you name it! That's where this mini tote bag comes in handy.
It's the perfect size for little hands, easy enough for beginners to sew, and makes a sweet, practical gift.
Plus, watching your toddler proudly haul around their own bag is one of the cutest things you'll ever see.
Jump to:
Skill Level: Beginner
Total Time: 1 hour
Supply List
- Sewing Machine
- Main Fabric (white)
- Coordinating Fabric
- Coordinating Thread
- Ric Rac Ribbon in White and Blue
- Fabric Paint Marker
- Scissors
- Die Cut
Cut the Fabric
Cut the fabric into the following pieces.
- Main Fabric, 2 - 2x25-inch straps
- Main Fabric, 2 - 10x10-inch squares
- Coordinating Fabric, 2 - 10x10-inch squares
- Small Scrap White Fabric (optional)
My main fabric was an old white curtain that I cut up. That's why you see the nice seam along the top.
But if yours doesn't have that, you don't need to make the seam because you will be sewing there anyway.
Cut the ric rac ribbon into 12-inch strips. 4 blue and three white.
Stenciled Whale
The cute little whale on the front of my bag is actually painted on with a stencil and fabric paint.
Sadly, the exact die cut I used is no longer available for purchase, but I did find a similar die cut set that would work great!
Take a scrap piece of paper and cut the whale out of the center. This will not be your stencil.
Tape the stencil to the scrap piece of white fabric and paint the whale on with a fabric paint marker. Set aside to dry completely.
Sew Front Panel
Once the whale is dry, sew it onto the front of the main fabric panel, a little high up.
I didn't follow appliqué techniques. I just used a zig-zag stitch all the way around the piece of fabric to attach it.
Next, I laid out my ric rac. Alternating the strips creates an effect that resembles ocean waves.
(The whale patch should be sewn on when doing this. I took the pictures out of order, which is why the patch isn't shown here. 😆)
Once the ric rac is in place, sew down the ric rac, starting with the top piece (the one directly under your whale tag).
Sew as close to the bottom of the ric rac as possible, while still staying in the center of it.
I eyeballed it as I went, making sure the bag didn't show between the strips, and it looked like waves. Doesn't have to be perfect!
When done sewing, trim the raw edges with a straight edge, or scissors if you don't have one.
Sew the Bag
Now we will begin sewing the actual bag.
Take the lining fabric and the main fabric you just sewed the ric rac to, and place them right sides together. Then, sew across the top.
Repeat with your other Main Fabric and Lining pieces.
Press the seams towards the main fabric on both pieces.
Take both pieces and lay them right sides together. The seams must line up correctly.
Stitch all the way around, starting on the lining pieces.
Backstitch at the beginning and end, and leave a small hole to turn right side out.
This step is optional. After I got this far, I decided to add gussets to the bottom, so I did that on all 4 corners, through the lining and the main bag.
If you don't want to, simply proceed to the next step. Here is how the gussets look. I only made them about an inch. Just to give it shape.
Clip your corners (if you chose not to use the gussets), and turn the garment right side out. Press the opening and topstitch closed.
Push the lining inside your bag and topstitch all the way around the edge of the bag.
Sew the Straps
Take the strips of fabric and press each raw edge in about ¼" - ½".
This doesn't need to be perfect. Just ensure there is a straight line when you are done pressing. Fold both sides in half and press.
Top stitch along each edge.
To attach the straps to the bag, fold the raw edge of the strap up and pin it in place on the front of the bag.
Line up the straps on the front and back to keep the bag uniform.
Sew a square around the edges. You can sew the "X" in the center of your square if you'd like, but I knew it wouldn't be carrying much weight, so I didn't do it.
Repeat on the back, and then you are finished!
The finished tote bag is so cute and perfect for little hands.
More Sewing Ideas
Don't put your sewing machine away yet. Let's make something else. Here are a few more fun ideas.
Hi, I'm Katie!
I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!
Lindy
Super adorable!!! I love it!!!!
Katie
Thank you so much Lindy!
Eva Scott
So, so, so cute!! I love the whale and really love how you used ric rac to create the waves. How creative. And what a great tutorial just to even make a bag. Definitely holding onto this. My mom and aunt are teachers so maybe some cute teacher bags? Thanks!!
Katie
Thanks so much! I'd love to see it if you decide to make one!
courtney o'dell
Absolutely darling!
Katie
Thank you so much Courtney!
Amanda @ Serenity Now
Oh, how sweet! I love that you used ric rac for the waves!
Katie
Thanks so much Amanda!
Steph @ The Silly Pearl
Adorable! So clever to use the ric rac for waves to go with the whale!
Katie
Thanks so much! I love little whales : ) It was so fun to make!
Morena
I lve what you did with the ricrac! Adorable!
Katie
Thank you so much Morena!
Kimberly
Oh my. Those ricrac waves are too cute.
Katie
Thanks Kimberly!
nest of posies
this is just as precious as precious can be!
those ric rac waves are adorable! and omg - all your pics in this post. that's a lotta work!
great job.
kellie
Katie
Thank you so much! You are too sweet : )
Julie
So very cute! You know I love Ric-Rac : )! So sweet!
Katie
Thanks Julie! I kinda love ric rac lately! I used the mini size on my daughter's birthday crown and now I just want to put it on everything!
Lauren @mercyINK
Oh my goodness this could not possible be any cuter! Love the colors/fabric you chose, too!
xo,
lauren
Katie
Thanks so much Lauren, I'll stop by and check it out : )
Paula Parrish
I love your handmade tote bag that you made for your daughter, super cute. I pinned it, and I am planning to make it for my granddaughter. ;o) Thanks for sharing this tutorial.
Smiles, Paula
Katie
Thanks so much Paula! So glad you like! You're granddaughter will love it! I am having so much fun making my kids toys lately! Next up a chef hat for my little man : ) Apparently he wants to be a chef!
Kristy Life-n-Reflection
This is so "stinkin" cute! My little niece would love it!
Katie
Thank you so much! My daughter has been playing with it non stop... makes me one proud mama! ; )
Beverly {Flamingo Toes}
How cute is that! I had no idea you could use those dies to cut out stencils! The rick rack waves are super darling - great job!
Katie
Thanks so much Beverly! I had so much fun making this one!
Laura@live-love-scrap
This is darling- great idea using ric rac for waves! Love the pink polka dot liner!!
Katie
Thanks Laura! : ) Have a great evening!
Niki {Hello Paper Moon}
This is beyond cute. I only recently discovered I have a thing for whales. Thank you Pinterest!
Katie
Thank you! Yes, whales are adorable... and owls ; )
Kaitlin @ Wunderbar Life
Oh I think I need to make an adult sized one! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Katie
hehe... I thought about it too! : )
Natalie
My little girl would LOVE this bag! I think I MUST make her one.... like NOW! Love it!
Katie
Thanks so much! : ) My daughter is so girly... I love that she plays with it. Repairs the little pieces she broke off my heart when I made her all these pretty little headbands and she just threw them on the floor! hehe! I'd love to see how it turns out if you make one!
Lori
When I saw this thumbnail over at Overflowing with Creativity, I had to check it out. This is the cutest toddler tote ever, I agree. Your daughter playing with it is the cutest ever, I agree with that too. Tee hee, glad I came over.
Katie
Thanks so much for stopping by! and for the sweet comment! ; )
Jess at SewSet
Oh my word, this is just darling!!! I absolutely love how you used the ric rac for waves - so creative!
I hope you will consider hopping on over to SewSet, a new on-line sewing directory, and uploading the image so it can be found when people are browsing the directory for tutorials!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent!
- Jessica
sewset.com
mesewcrazy.com
Katie
Thanks so much! I'll go add it right now! Thanks for letting me know about the new site! : )
Erin @ DIY On the Cheap
This is so cute! Absolutely love it.
Cassandra
Just adorable 🙂 Will be pinning this one for sure! Thanks so much for sharing... I know how much hard work goes into tutorials 😉
Katie
Oh thank you so much Cassandra! You're too sweet!
Jess from Cox's Corner
What a fun idea! I saw your link over at the sugar bee linky party and headed on over! I'm so glad that I did! I'm proud to say I'm your newest follower! I'm brainstorming how i can make one for a little boy!
Katie
So glad to have you Jess! My son LOVES this bag! They totally fight over it. I have to make him something too because the hubs doesn't like him carrying around pink polka dots, lol!
Jess from Cox's Corner
That's too funny! I totally had an idea come to me...what about a darker blue ric rac for the ocean and a pirate ship instead of a whale?!
Katie
OH that is totally a cute idea!! I would love to see it if you make it! : )
Jess from Cox's Corner
I think I will! Where did you get your Ric Rac?
Jess at SewSet
Thank you again for uploading it into SewSet. I simply adore this bag - I picked it as one of today's top features on the homepage!
Thank you again!
- Jess
Katie
Thank you so much Jess! Sorry to respond so late, your comment ended up in my spam folder : ( All fixed though! Love your site!
Laura @ House Of Joyful Noise
I am so in love with this!! The colors and fabric you chose are so sweet, and the ric-rac waves or perfect! Had to share it on our Facebook Page.
As for this question: "I might be a little partial because my daughter is so stinkin cute when she plays with it, or maybe it’s just the cutest little tote for toddlers EVER, you tell me : )"....I'm going to have to go with the answer: "BOTH!"
Katie
Thank you Laura! You're too sweet! I love watching her carry it around! Makes it sooo worth all the seam ripping!
Ros
So very gorgeous - I love anything with a whale motif - and the ric rac waves - genius!!!
Katie
Thank you so very much!! : )
Crystal
Love this! So cute! Stopping by from the All Things Summer link party! Would love to have you also link this up at the Ladies Only Blog Share link party! Our theme this week is Red, White & BBQ. 🙂