Eucalyptus Tote Bag Tutorial

Hi Everyone, this is Angie from Peony Patterns (you can find me on Instagram at @pocketful_of_rainbows88). Today, we are here to show you how to make a simple tote bag. The Eucalyptus Tote Bag is a quick and easy tote bag that comes with an optional pocket and key chain tab, bound seams and the best part, no lining. The Tote Bag can easily fit an A4/Letter size folder. As of Sep 2022, we've added another size (Small) below. Get the pattern pieces here.

Regular Size: 

The approximate finished size of the Eucalyptus Tote is as follow:

How to Construct the Eucalyptus Tote

Seam Allowance: 1/2” (1.3cm) unless otherwise advised.

Fabric Recommendations: Medium weight woven fabrics, such as duck canvas or upholstery fabric, nylon taffeta, waterproof Oxford canvas, ripstop fabric, laminated cotton /poplin.etc. 

* If you are using waterproof fabric for the Tote, you might need a Teflon foot to sew on the sticky side of these fabrics and a ballpoint needle is recommended. 

Notions: Iron / Ironing Board, Scissors / Rotary Cutter, Sewing Needles, Pins / Clips, Ruler / Tape Measure, binding tape, Bias Tape / Twill tape, 1 Swivel hook - any size between 3/8” (1cm) to 1/2” (12mm)

Fabric Requirements:  Based on 44” (112cm)  wide, non-directional fabric. This pouch uses up to 1 yard (90cm) fabric. 1” (2.5cm) Single Fold Bias Tape /  Twill Tape: 1 yard (90cm). 1” (2.5cm) Cotton / Nylon Webbing Straps: 1 yard (90cm)

You will need:

• Fabric
• Bias Tape / Twill tape
• Cotton / Nylon Webbing (Straps)
• Swivel Hook (3/8” / 10mm or 1/2” /12mm)
• A Sewing Machine
• Pins / Clips
• An iron and sewing supplies

Print Layout 

For detailed information on printing this pattern, click the interactive hyperlinks below. FAQ can be found on the Peony Patterns website:

How Do I Print My File Correctly?
Printing with layers
How Do I Assemble the Pattern?

Cutting Charts

Inches – Imperial

Centimetres - Metric

* Only applicable if you are making the pocket and key chain tab.
** Use a grosgrain ribbon or twill tape at  3/8" (1cm) width and cut to length
^ Adjust the straps to the desired length for younger children. A recommended strap length of 16-17" (40.6-43.2cm) is recommended to suit the height approximately 40 5/8" (103.2cm) and below. 

Cutting Checklist

Tote Bag: Pattern Pieces

Cut 2 Bag Panel Pieces (2 main)

Cut 2 Facing Pieces (2 main)

Cut 1 Pocket Piece* (1 main / contrasting fabric)

Cut 1 Key Chain Tab* Piece 

Cut 2 Strap Pieces (Webbing Straps)

*Optional

Preparing the Pocket and Key Chain Tab

If you are not making the pocket and key chain tab, skip to the section titled Preparing The Main Bag and Facing Pieces.

1. Fold 1/2” (1.3cm) on one of the shorter raw edge of your pocket pieces wrong sides together. Press. Fold it a further 1/2” (1.3cm) and press. Pin / clip in place. Edgestitch the pocket opening at 1/8” (3mm) from the folded edge.  

2. Measue 3 1/2" (8.9cm) down from the raw edge of the shorter side on your pocket piece and mark on the wrong side.

3. Fold the sewn edges to meet your marked lines.  Press the fold and pin / clip in place.  Sew at 1/8" (3mm) from the sides of the pocket.

4. Place your bias tape against the long sides of the pocket piece and add 3/8” (1cm) to the length. This will determine the length of bias tape that you need to bind your pockets.  Cut 2 strips. 
5. Ensure that your bias binding sticks out of the pocket bag by 3/8” (1cm).  Fold the raw edge of the bias by 3/8” (1cm) to wrap the edge of the pocket bag. Fold down the bias tape again, sandwiching the bag fabric between the bias tape edges. Pin / clip in place.  Sew at 1/8” (3mm) from the edge. For reference, a grosgrain tape is used to finish the raw edges. Repeat on the other side of the pocket bag. Voila! You have now bound your raw seams for your pocket bag.

5. For reference, the key fob strap is sewn using a grosgrain tape. Fold your key chain tab piece in half widthwise and press to create a crease mark. Slide your swivel hook through the key chain tab to the crease and fold the other half of the tab over the swivel hook. Pin to keep the hook in place.  Sew to keep the hook in place.  In our example, we sew a second line 1/8” (3mm) from the first line. 

*Tip: Move the needle as close to the side of the hook to sew up nice and close. 

6. Measure 2” (5.1cm)  down from the upper raw edge of your pocket piece. Align the top of the key chain tab to the mark and pin in place. Baste at 1/4” (6mm) from the raw edge of the key chain tab to attach in place. Set aside.

Preparing Your Main Bag and Facing Pieces

7. Find the centre on the shorter side of your bag panel piece. Mark the centre on the right side of your fabric. Measure 3" (7.6cm) from the center on the left and right and mark in washable fabric marker. This will be your mark for attaching your straps. Set aside. Repeat for the other bag panel piece.

8. Measure 1/2” (1.3cm) from the shorter edge of your straps (webbing) and mark a line. 

9. Fold your straps in half on the shorter side and place the end to the top of the bag panel on the right side.

10. Pin the end of the strap to the top of the bag panel on the right side. Ensure that the end of the strap extend out by 1/2” (1.3cm) past the top of the bag panel. Baste the strap in place using a 1/4” (6mm) seam allowance.  Repeat the same for the other end of the strap. 

11. Repeat and attach the straps to the other bag panel piece as per the steps above.
12. Pin the facing to the bag panel piece (where the straps are attached) right sides together.  Sew to attach facing to main bag piece using a 1/2” (1.3cm) seam allowance. Check that the straps are pushed out of the way. Press the seam allowance down towards the bottom of the bag. Repeat for the other piece. Tip: Use a triple stitch or back stitch when you reached the strap area to reinforce the straps if desired. 

13. Optional: This is a good time to add your label if you desire. In our example, the label is attached to the facing on the back piece of the bag panel.

14. Determine your back panel piece of your tote bag. Find the center of your pocket piece and mark. Align the top edge of the pocket bag to the seam of the facing and the bag panel.  Pin the center of the pocket piece to the centre of the facing seam allowance. Baste to attach using a 1/4” (6mm) seam allowance from the edge.

Boxing the Corners and Sewing the Bag

15. Measure 2” (5.1cm) from the bottom edge of the bag panel and draw a 2” (5.1cm) line from the bottom edge. Measure 2” (5.1cm) from the side edge of the bag panel and draw a perpendicular line 2” (5.1cm) long to meet the previous line to form a box. Repeat for the other side of the the bag panel.

16. Place the front and back bag pieces right side together. Pin / clip in place.  Sew the side seams (including your facing) and bottom seam with a 1/2” (1.3cm) seam allowance, stop at the box and backstitch.  Trim seam allowance to 1/4” (6mm). Tip: If desired, reinforce the side and bottom seams by sewing another line using 3/8” (1cm) seam allowance. 

17. Cut away the bottom corners of the bag following the box as marked. Set aside.

18. Place your bias tape against the bottom seams of your bag to determine the length you need to bind the bottom seam.  Add 3/4” (1.9cm) to the length and cut the bias tape. 
19. Fold the short edge of the bias tape by 3/8” (1cm) wrong sides together and sandwich the raw seams between the bias tape. Pin / clip in place. Sew 1/8” (3mm) from the edge. Tip: To reduce bulk, pin the bias tape 1/4”  (6mm) from the cut out. Trim any excess bias tape.

20. Place your bias tape against the side seams of your bag to determine the length you need for binding your side seams. Add 3/8” (1cm) to the length and cut 2 pieces of bias tape. 
21. Fold the short edge of the bias tape by 3/8” (1cm) wrong sides together and sandwich the raw seams between the bias tape. Pin / clip in place. Sew 1/8” (3mm) from the edge.  Repeat on the other side seam. Tip: To reduce bulk, pin the bias tape 1/4” (6mm) away from the cut out.  Additionally, since the facing extends 2” (5.1cm) down from the top, start your bias binding 2” (5.1cm) down from the top. Trim any excess bias tape. 

22. Pinch your bottom seam and align one side of the bottom seam to the closest side seam right sides together (see illustration). Ensure that the seam lines are meeting and butterfly the seam allowances to reduce bulk.  Pin / clip in place and sew to secure using 1/2” (1.3cm) seam allowance. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4” (6mm).  Repeat for the other corner. Tip: To reinforce the seams, sew another line using 3/8” seam allowance if desired. 

23. Bias bind the corner seams with bias tape as per step 21 above. 

Topstitch the Bag Opening and Facing

24. Press the bag opening and ensure that the facing is not rolling to the front of the bag. Pin / clip the facing to the bag and topstitch at 1/8” (3mm) around the bag opening. 

25. Turn the bag wrong side out. Fold the long straight raw edge of your facing by 1/2’’(1.3cm) wrong sides together. Press to create a crease. Pin the facing to the bag panel wrong sides together at the facing hem.  Edgestitch the facing to the bag from the wrong side. Be care to move the straps and the key chain tab* (if any) out of the way. When done, turn the bag right side out. 

Congratulations! Your Eucalyptus Tote is now complete. Share on social media using the hashtags #EucalyptusTote #peonypatterns #peonypatternseucalyptus