Top 6 Free Tote & Purse Sewing Patterns

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Whether you’re heading to the farmers’ market or looking to dress up your look, you don’t have to spend hours with complicated sewing patterns just to make a cute tote or purse. These 6 sewing patterns are the best tote & purse designs for beginners & those looking for quick, yet cute bags!

Here’s how people are rating these 6 free bag sewing patterns

Thousands of people have used these patterns and this is how they rate them:

  • Cutest Tote For Shopping: The Mercato Market Tote
  • Easiest Tote To Make: Braided Boho Bag
  • Cutest Clutch: Nicky Bag
  • Quickest Purse To Sew: Iris Mini Crossbody Bag
  • Best For Learning New Skills: Makayla Bag
  • Best Bag For Beginners: Jaedyn Messenger Bag 

1. Cutest Tote For Shopping: The Mercato Market Tote

The Mercato Tote is an eco-friendly, reusable and durable market tote bag that makes a great go-to bag for the Farmers Market, grocery store, beach trips or running other errands. With its extra-secure handles and large capacity, the Mercato Tote is the perfect bag to carry groceries, library books, art supplies, and more. Choose a cute fabric and you’ll look stylish no matter where you go or what you use it for.

Features of this handy purse:

  • Can be made in less than an hour!
  • Magnetic snap closure
  • French seams
  • Unique boxing technique—magically creates boxed corners without having to cut & sew the corners
  • Lined & unlined versions
  • Hanging Slip Pocket
  • 21 pages of concise step by step instructions with colour photos
  • 59 minute video tutorial
  • Finished with french seams for durability
  • 3 Sizes
  • Large: 17”H x 17”W x 6”D
  • Medium: 12”H x “14”W x 4”D
  • Small: 10.5”H x 10.5”W x 3”D

2. Easiest Tote To Make: Braided Boho Bag

This might be the easiest sewing pattern out there! Plus, it’s cute & functional too. So if you’re looking for something useful you can whip up super quick or you’re looking for easy patterns—this is the bag for you. It’s a very beginner-friendly & stylish tote bag that will carry just about anything for whatever you’re doing.

You’ll learn how to achieve a structured or slouchy look, choose between woven or knit fabrics & have your choice or two sizes.

Features of this stylish tote bag:

  • 2 sizes: Small – 10.5”W x 11.5”H; Large – 14”W x 15”H
  • Magnetic snap
  • Zipper
  • Lined interior
  • 20 pages of instructions
  • Detailed illustrations

3. Cutest Clutch: Nicky Bag

Stand out with this unique pattern—the bow adds just the right amount of character in a cute & classy way. The Nicky Bag can be dressed up or dressed down, which will quickly turn this pattern into your go-to for making a clutch to go with new outfits.

Set yourself apart with the special bow design. This is a small & neat bag that not only is absolutely adorable, but is ideal for using up leftover fabrics, matching outfits you’ve already made or as a small clutch to slip inside a matching, larger purse.

Features of this cute clutch:

  • Zip closure
  • Optional piping
  • Small & neat
  • Cute bow
  • Size: 9” x 6”

4. Quickest Purse To Sew: Iris Mini Crossbody Bag

This is an absolutely adorable mini statement bag! Crafted with a minimalist design, the Iris is a quick and easy sewing pattern great for beginners who want to add some personality to their wardrobe. Nowhere else can you find a bag this cute that you can make this quick!

Features of this statement bag:

  • Cute, compact bag
  • Front flap with a magnetic snap closure
  • Interior zippered pocket
  • Detachable, adjustable crossbody strap
  • Projector & Copy Shop files included
  • 30 pages of step-by-step instructions with colour photos
  • Printable full pattern pieces
  • Size: 9″ wide by 7″ high by 2.25″ deep

5. Best For Learning New Skills: Makayla Bag

With options for different features, you can really let your personality show with this bag. It’s also what makes it a great bag for learning new styles, techniques and how to add these features—without being complicated or difficult to make.

Keep it casual or keep it classy—the Makayla Bag can be done either way! Dress it up or down, modify it, make it a crossbody bag by adding a crossbody strap instead or add some bling with some chain—you can turn this bag into whatever you want. You can add to it, like adding a slip pocket inside, or make it a lightning fast sew by using metal connectors instead of the sewn connectors. She will be cute either way!

Features of this versatile bag:

  • 2 SIZES: medium & small
  • Step by step instructions with over 200 photos
  • Domestic machine friendly
  • Whole pattern pieces (no fold pieces)
  • Metric & imperial measurements
  • All pattern pieces (except the strap) available + measurements for rectangular pieces
  • Full length video tutorial
  • Easy on the hardware (but with options for more)
  • Learn some new tricks & techniques
  • Can be made in any fabric
  • Size: Small – 10 3/4″ W, 5 1/2″ H, 2 3/8″ D; Medium – 12 1/2 W”, 6 3/4 H”, 3 D”

6. Best Bag For Beginners: Jaedyn Messenger Bag

This bag is where fashion meets impressive functionality—all while being extremely easy to make! There is NO zipper, making it a very easy pattern for anyone who has never made a bag before.

You can whip up this easy bag without breaking a sweat. It’s elegant and roomy and perfect for all-occasions.

Features of this adventurous bag:

  • Front divided pockets
  • 6 card slot inside
  • Cell phone pocket inside
  • 1 additional small pocket inside
  • Adjustable strap
  • Bring your tablet with you!
  • Size: Fits 11” tablets or a 9/5” by 11.5” planner

Whip up a new bag today with the best FREE tote & purse sewing patterns

These bags have it all: they’re easy, they’re cute, they’re practical—AND they’re 100% FREE! Hit up the beach, head out to the farmers’ market or enjoy a night on the town with a fresh new look today. All patterns are quick & easy to make so go ahead and choose your bag now.