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    Home » Sewing

    A New Beginner Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; The Derby Tote

    Updated: Mar 8, 2020 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 7 Comments

    Today I’m excited to announce my latest Tote Bag Sewing Pattern, the Derby Tote.  It’s a great simple tote bag that is easy to sew and can be customized a bunch of different ways.  This tote bag pattern is perfect for beginners. I hope you’ll like it whether you’re just learning to sew or are more experienced and need to make a project quick!

    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.

    Last year I needed a simple tote bag to throw a few things in to take to a work meeting. Honestly, all I wanted was something to hold a notebook, some pens, and a book. Everything I had on hand was total “overkill” for that, and I’m notorious for throwing things in my purse and never seeing them again.

    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.

    That night I sat down and designed the Derby Tote. I was working with my Derby Style fabric at the time and thought it would work perfectly with that style of fabric. I ended up teaching the tote bag as a class for Snap last year. Which was fun and crazy all at the same time.

    A Simple Beginner Tote Bag Sewing Pattern:

    Recently I sat down and worked out a few more versions of the pattern.  I wanted it to be super useful, but easy enough to sew that you could make a bunch of them.  

    I have one for work stuff, one for church stuff, one for road trips,  and my daughter has one for ballet stuff. I don’t even unpack them I just leave them in the mudroom, that way I know where everything is.

    A Few Features of the Tote Bag Pattern:

    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.

    The pattern has 3 different front pocket options, but you could use more than one of them on a bag at a time, just put one on the front and one on the back.

    There is the simple front pocket as shown on the cover, then the divided large pocket as you see above. It’s great for stashing notebooks.

    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.

    This simple flap pocket was the first style I designed. That little pocket is great for stashing business cards, lip gloss or earbuds.

    Last year our family went to Dawn at the Downs (a breakfast the week before the Kentucky Derby). I needed to something to throw the kids stuff in as well as a pair of flip flops for myself (just in case those shoes started hating me *wink*).   Luckily I had one of these babies already stitched up so I grabbed it and took it to the track with me.

    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.

    You may have noticed the handles on the front of the tote. That is NOT leather, that is Kraft-Tex. It’s a paper that you can sew with and it looks just like leather (but is MUCH easier to use).  It can even be washed!!

    You can get Kraft-Tex HERE.

    A few Ideas to Customize your Derby Tote Bag:

    Stacy from She’s Kinda Crafty has made a bunch of versions of the Derby Tote in the last year. I sent her home from Snap with the pattern.  She’s been sharing them on Instagram this year, and I love all of the different fabric combinations she’s come up with.

    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.
    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.
    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.
    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.

    I’ve also made quite a few versions of the tote bags myself over the years. Here are a few:

    The Derby Tote Bag Sewing Pattern; great simple and versatile tote bag pattern that features 3 different front pocket styles. Great project for a beginning sewist.
    "Sleepy Raindrops" a free softie sewing pattern - makes a cute baby shower gift idea!
    Tote bags on white peg board

    Where to Buy the Bag Pattern:

    To purchase the pattern, just click on over to my pattern shop.

    After you complete your purchase you will be emailed a link to download the pattern yourself (if you don’t get the link, email me).  The last few pages of the pattern are the pattern pieces for the bag. Just print them on your home printer, tape them together and you’re good to go!

    I keep a stash of medical table paper on hand for tracing patterns, you can pick it up on Amazon, along with the Kraft-Tex for the handles –

    Pick up the PDF Pattern in the Online Shop!

    You can also buy a Printed Pattern if you prefer

    More Projects You May Enjoy

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. erin says

      March 23, 2016 at 6:43 am

      super cute!

      Reply
    2. Barbara says

      March 23, 2016 at 9:39 pm

      Love the tote Melissa! I was thinking it would be a great tote for my swim team granddaughters. Do you think a laminate or oilcloth fabric would work nicely for the lining?

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        April 06, 2016 at 2:35 pm

        Yes, I think it would be great for Oilcloth or Laminate! Just be careful not to iron the tote bag or you’ll stick the insides together.

        Reply
    3. Pat says

      March 24, 2016 at 10:33 am

      Those shoes are adorablePat

      Reply
    4. Carole Lynch says

      June 01, 2016 at 12:31 pm

      I love this pattern! Seems pretty easy to construct and would be perfect as a bag to carry my work to and from the office since I downsized from a suitcase sized person to a normal sized purse! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    5. Chelsea says

      July 11, 2020 at 7:52 pm

      What type of fabric would you recommend using?

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        July 16, 2020 at 4:07 pm

        Quilting weight cotton

        Reply

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