Last week, I released a new pdf pattern, the Bucket Tote. This fully-lined tote features an oval base, pleats at each end and exterior and interior pockets. It’s designed to open wide at the top for what I’m calling a “throw and go” style. The pattern comes with both a regular and a small size, giving you options for wherever life takes you. You can learn more about it in the introduction post.
One of the most important steps in creating a pattern is the testing phase. I was lucky to have 21 amazing testers for this pattern. They gave me really helpful feedback on both the pattern pieces and the written instructions. Today, I’m sharing a few of their photos to serve as inspiration as well as insight into how different fabric types work with this pattern. I hope you will be as inspired by them as I have been.
Robin made this gorgeous classy regular size bucket tote using Carhartt canvas that she bought years ago at SR Harris in Minnesota. To achieve this stand up sturdiness, she used two layers of interfacing for the exterior. The exterior is sturdy canvas, block interfaced with woven interfacing (SF 101) then after cutting out the pattern pieces added fusible interfacing without the seam allowance to prevent bulk at the seams. The lining is quilting cotton, block fused with woven interfacing (SF 101).
Robin shared this about the Bucket Tote pattern:
Love the creative nature of the Sew DIY patterns! This tote bag is such a versatile pattern, the regular size is big enough to hold everything you would need for a day away from home, and the small size is a perfect crochet/knitting project bag or lunch tote. Instructions were clear and easy to follow and Beth is a pleasure to work with should you need to get in touch!
This beautiful tote was made by Katie. You can find her on Instagram at @seamsobsessed. I love the contrast between the highly patterned exterior pocket and the solid brown body of the bag. She made the regular size and used thick cotton (almost canvas) fabric and NO interfacing. The handles are actually made from belts. So clever!
This gorgeous tote is made by Whittney from @poppyjoysewing on Instagram. I love how the colors of the handles match the contrasting fabric of the pocket. She also added a patch on one pocket and tag peeking out from a strap on one side. The fabrics are bull denim, cotton twill with medium weight interfacing. You can get more details on sources in this post on her instagram.
Katie had this to say about the Bucket Tote pattern:
“I LOVE this bag! The construction was very straightforward and easy, and it was fun to use the provided planning sheet to dream up colour blocking ideas. It was fun to make and the instructions were all very clear. It's a good size for a number of uses, yet still really cute to carry. I love the zippered interior pocket, which was easy enough to install even without a zipper foot. This would be a great first bag project for someone, but also a fun make with lots of opportunity for creativity for more experienced sewists.“
Sandra upcycled a pair of jeans for the fabric of her small sized tote and used medium weight interfacing. Sandra also made her own two color handles by sewing 1.5 cm cotton strap to 2.5 nylon straps. Such a great idea! Sandra estimated that it took about an hour to cut out fabric and 2-3 hours to sew the tote.
Sandra had this to say about the Bucket Tote pattern:
Thank you for a great pattern. It was a fun and quick sew with a very clean finish. I love my bag🩷
These adorable totes are made by Kirsten from @readrunsew on Instagram She made two bags and completed them within days of the test starting! The blue/green canvas is from IKEA and the strawberry print fabric is from Quilt Emporium. (See Kirsten’s IG post here.) Kirsten used canvas for the exterior, interfaced quilting cotton for the interior lining and pocket lining, and canvas for the lining bottom. She says the bag stands up on its own, but isn’t too stiff.
Kirsten also shared this about the Bucket Tote pattern:
This is the perfect tote pattern: perfect size, perfect pockets, perfect design! This project comes together quickly and you’re going to want to make it again and again!
This beautiful regular size tote is by Megan using cotton duck and pellon shape flex. She says “I am happy with how it turned out, but I plan on making one with heavier weight interfacing.” I really love the contrasting fabrics that she used and the placement.
This gorgeous regular size tote is made by Helene from @frenchyrees on Instagram. She used canvas for the outer fabric, an upcycled cotton tablecloth for the lining and medium weight fusible fleece for interfacing. You can read more details in her IG post. Helene also made her handles longer so the bag can be worn more easily on the shoulder.
Helene shared this about the Bucket Tote pattern:
I loved making this bag. It's clever design elevates it beyond your average tote. I'll be making many more versions for all my friends!
For this regular size tote, Beatriz used canvas for the exterior, medium weight linen for the lining and Pellon 809 interfacing. She also made her own handles using the same fabric as the exterior. (There will be a post in the sewalong about how to do this.)
Jesara made this regular size bag using cotton canvas for both the main and outer with no interfacing. She says “I wanted a floppier bag and think it worked really well.” (I also like using two heavy pieces of fabric and no interfacing with this tote.) You can find Jesara on Instagram at @againstthegrainline.
Jesara shared this about the Bucket Tote pattern:
I thought I had enough tote bag patterns until I met this one. It comes together easily but has so many beautiful functional details. It’s a great size with enough storage to take anywhere.
Melanie made this small size tote with denim for the exterior and quilting cotton for the lining and did not use interfacing. Check out the space cats on the lining fabric. So fun!
Melanie shared this about the Bucket Tote pattern:
Sewing this tote was a very fun project. The fabric layout options were a great visual and I love the external pocket. I also love that you can mix and match the welt pocket vs the patch pocket between the two sizes with minor modifications. The basting stitches meant the curves went together smoothly. Overall- highly recommend!
These three awesome totes were made by Nicole of @nicoleangelinesews on Instagram. These are all the small size and really show off how you can use contrasting fabric. She used cotton duck canvas interfaced with Pellon 809 for the exterior and exterior pocket. The interior bottom is cotton duck canvas, and the lining and interior pockets are soft cotton canvas. She says, “The duck canvas is already stiff, but the 809 helps it stand up on its own, and the bag itself is still very lightweight.”
Notice the pink handles in the top two photos are made from fabric and embroidered using machine stitches. I love this idea as a way to embellish the handles (and use some of those fancy stitches!).
Nicole also recommends a different “drop in” method of sewing the lining to the main body of the bag. I didn’t include this in the instructions but I will include it in the sewalong.
This adorable color-blocked small tote is made by Sue from @11thHouseMakes on Instagram. She adapted the pattern to make a classic boat tote style with a colored base and matching fabric handles. She shared: “A super practical tote that I know I’ll use for years!”
Btw, I am planning to share a tutorial for how to sew this style!
I went to send a BIG thank you to all of my amazing testers for helping bring this pattern into the world. You’re the best!!
You can learn more about the Bucket Tote here.
You can also check out the Bucket Tote Sewalong for more info. The video sewalong is coming soon! Explore the sewalong here or in the links below.
The Sew DIY Bucket Tote is the perfect "throw & go" bag with a wide top opening so you can easily see and access everything inside. This fully-lined tote is thoughtfully designed with an oval base, pleats at each end and exterior and interior pockets.
The pattern includes both regular and small sizes, giving you options for wherever life takes you. The regular size is perfect for a day at the pool or a short road trip while the small size can be used to carry your lunch or a small craft project.
Both sizes have two exterior patch pockets and one interior pocket. The regular size has a welt zippered pocket inside and the small size has an interior patch pocket. The handles are made from cotton webbing that are topstitched to the sides of the bag and secured in the bottom seam.
This digital pattern includes:
• Illustrated instruction booklet
• Print-at-home layered pattern (Letter/A4)
• US copy shop and A0 patterns
• Projector pattern
Scroll down for more details.
THIS IS NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT. After checkout, you will receive a link to the pattern that will be active for 24 hours after you click it. Prices are in USD.
