Small Tote Bag 13" X 4" X 10"

This is a small example of this kind of bag. It is easy to customize the size to meet your individual requirements. The main body of this bag is sewn from a single piece of fabric. The formula used to calculate the size of fabric required is:

LENGTH = (HEIGHT * 2) + DEPTH + (2 * SEAM ALLOWANCE FOR HEM)

WIDTH = WIDTH + DEPTH + SEAM ALLOWANCE FOR SIDE SEAMS

Small Tote Bag 13" X 4" X 10"
Cut a 27" X 18-1/2" piece of fabric for the bag and a 44" by 3" piece for the handles. I usually use 1" polypro for the handles but I decided to try sewing my own for this project. You will be sewing through four layers of fabric in these handles, so it isn't a good to use fabric that is too heavy. Step one, cutting the fabric
Fold the handle fabric in half lenghtwise right side out and sew close to the edge. Crease both sides of the fabric one inch from the sewn edge. Fold inward and sew close to the edge. You should end up with a one inch wide strap. Cut the strap in half to make two handles. Closing the seam of the handle strap
I prefer to hem the top of the bag and attach the handles first. Draw a line 1-1/2" from the ends on the right side (outside of the bag) of the fabric. Fold at the line and sew a seam close to the edge. Fold the flap of fabric under so that there is a one inch seam and sew.On the wrong side of each end mark the center.

Place a mark three inches on both sides of the center. Sew the handles so that the inside lines up with each mark.

 Sewing the handles to the bag
Fold the fabric in half with the wrong side out. Sew the sides with a 3/4" seam. Trim one side of the seam to 1/4". Sew the side seams and trim
You now have a bag. Finish the seam by folding the 3/4" piece over to create a flat fell seam. It gets tight toward the bottom but you don't have to sew it all the way down. Finish the seams with a flat fell seam
Flatten the corners so that the side seam lines up with the center of the bag. Pin in place and make sure of the alignement. Mark a diagonal line equal to the depth of the bag. In this case it is 4". Sew along the line. Mark the bottom of the bag to square the bottom
Trim to 3/4". Sew the seam and trim
Finish the seam by folding each side inward and sew along the edge. Fold both sides in to finish the seam
Open the bag right side out and you are finished. The final finished bag