How to Make a Tote Bag from Your Handwoven Fabric: A No-Cut, Low-Waste, Low-Sew Guide

While writing the pattern for the Daffodils and Snowdrops Runner, I couldn’t get this image out of my mind: a bright, bold tote bag, woven in Beam 8/2 Organic Cotton, closely sett at 24 EPI for double-thickness. The dense fabric would be durable, easy to wash, and the perfect canvas to play with bright, summery colors.

I had three steps standing between me and the bag of my dreams:

1. Planning the Project

2. Weaving the Fabric

3. Sewing the Bag

Let’s break them down.

1. Planning the Project

Weavers have a distinct advantage when it comes to low-waste sewing: we can choose exactly how wide our fabric will be. Rather than being limited to standard fabric widths, we can adjust based on the size of the pattern pieces we need. This means less cutting, and less of our hard-earned fabric wasted.

To sew a simple tote bag, I needed a long rectangle. It should be the width of my desired bag and twice the length—plus hems, shrinkage, draw-in, take-up, and seam allowances. Don’t forget your seam allowances!

I also needed two lengths of 1” nylon webbing for the handles, which I found at my local second-hand fabric store.

Here were my calculations:

2. Weaving the Fabric

Next up: bring that fabric into existence! 

To sew the same tote bag, make two modifications to the Daffodils and Snowdrops Runner:

• Wind a 2-yard warp, and

• Weave 6.5 pattern repeats (approx. 38.5”, including hems).

I used Beam 8/2 Organic Cotton in Persimmon and Peony.

My tote will be used to lug around groceries and pick up flowers from the farmers market. So, it needs to be rugged and I need to be able to throw it in the washing machine.

To pre-shrink the fabric, I washed it on a hot, regular cycle. Then, I tumble dried it for one hour on medium heat with a set of wool dryer balls. While there was still a little moisture in the fabric, I gave it a hard press with an iron.

Now, I can be sure that it will survive many more cycles through the washing machine.

3. Sewing the Bag

Here are the steps for this simple, low-waste tote:

Hem the raw edges. Since this double weave, I turned the raw edges between the two layers of fabric on each end and pressed it with a steam iron. For an invisible finish, I hand-sewed a ladder stitch, leaving a 1” gap for the handles.

• Fold the fabric in half with right sides facing. 

• Machine-sew the sides with a ¾" seam allowance, along the edge of the first stripe on each selvedge.

• Turn the bag right-side out and press. A point turner can help shape the corners.

• Insert the handles through the gap in the hem and sew them in place with your machine.

• Step back and admire your low-waste, handwoven, hand-sewn tote bag!

This project offers a gentle introduction to sewing with your handwoven fabric. Ready to take your low-waste sewing to the next level? The Parquet Tile Mat fabric would make a durable Zero Waste Shopper Bag by bag.uettes. Or, you could sew one of Birgitta Helmersson's shirts in the drapey Tone on Tone Scarf fabric.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with. Be sure to share your creations (and any tips or tricks you learn along the way!) over on Instagram @gistyarn.

About Maja Lampa

Maja Lampa is a Vancouver-based weaver, drawing inspiration from nature, traditional craft, and the deep connection between maker and material. Her favourite projects begin at the source–when she knows the sheep who grew the wool or the farmer who tended the flax. 

A member of the Southern Gulf Islands Arts Council and Webmaster for the Guild of Canadian Weavers, Maja shares her work in community exhibitions and through her monthly newsletter, where she writes about slow making, local fibres, and the quiet joy of weaving by hand.

Website: majalampaweaving.ca

Newsletter: majalampaweaving.substack.com

Email: hi@majalampaweaving.ca

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