Sew It, Carry It: Make Your Own Tote Bag

Beginner friendly · Ages 14+ · 3 hours · 10 participants max

Ever wanted to get into sewing but didn’t know where to start? Bought a tote bag and thought, I could make this myself? Wanted a school bag that nobody else has?

Start here. You’ll sit down at your own sewing machine with Claire, learning how to use it: how to thread it, how hard to press the pedal, how to keep a seam straight, and what to do when the thread tangles underneath. (It will. Everyone’s does.) Then you’ll put it all to work on something you’ll actually use: a sturdy canvas tote, sewn by you from the first seam to the last stitch on the handles.

What you’ll make

Your fabric is cut and waiting when you arrive, so the whole class goes to sewing. Choose your shape: tall (20″ × 15″), with room for books and a laptop, or wide (12″ × 25″), made for groceries, a beach towel or a market haul. Add a front pocket if you want one. Then pick your straps: short to carry by hand, long to wear on your shoulder, or both.