Pattern Description:
Create a stylish and functional see-through tote bag with this free sewing pattern! This clear tote combines durable vinyl and colorful cotton fabric, making it both modern and practical.
The bag is perfect for daily errands, beach days, or as a stadium-approved carryall. It includes two clear exterior pockets (about 5” x 6” each), a secure zippered interior, and a quilted fabric bottom for extra stability and structure.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
Finished Size: Approx. 10” tall x 16” wide with two 5” x 6” exterior pockets and a zipper at least 16” long.
Fabric & Materials Needed:
- Cotton Fabric:
- ¼ yd for bag bottom (exterior)
- ¼ yd for bag bottom (lining)
- ¼ yd for straps (⅓ yd for professional-style straps)
- ¼ yd for binding pieces or leftover fabric scraps
- Interfacing:
- ½ yd medium-weight woven interfacing (e.g., Pellon SF101)
- ¼ yd foam stabilizer (e.g., ByAnnie Soft and Stable)
- Vinyl:
- ¼–½ yd of 12–16 gauge clear vinyl
- Notions & Tools:
- One 16” zipper (YKK 4.5 handbag zipper recommended)
- Blue masking tape or low-tack tape
- Wondertape double-sided adhesive
- Wonderclips or sewing clips
Cutting Instructions
From cotton fabric, cut:
- (2) 5¼” × 17” rectangles for exterior bottom
- (2) 5¼” × 17” rectangles for lining
- (2) 2½” × 17” strips (joining fabric and vinyl)
- (2) 2” × 6½” strips (pocket bindings)
- (2) 2” × 17” strips (vinyl top bindings)
- (2) 2½” × 11” strips (side seam bindings)
- (1) 2½” × 13” strip (bottom seam binding)
- (2) 2½” × 5” strips (bottom corners)
- (2) 2” × 2½” strips (zipper ends)
- (2) 3” × 42” strips for straps, backed with interfacing
From vinyl, cut:
- (2) 7½” × 17” panels for sides
- (2) 5” × 6½” rectangles for exterior pockets
From foam stabilizer, cut:
- (2) 5¼” × 17” rectangles
Instructions for Making the Clear Tote Bag Pattern:
1. Bind the Vinyl Edges
Fold the binding strips lengthwise, pressing edges to the center to form neat ½” bindings. Wrap the long strips over the top edges of the large vinyl panels and topstitch near the fold.
Repeat with shorter strips for the pocket tops, adding an extra topstitch ⅛” from the edge for durability.
2. Quilt the Fabric Bottoms
Layer one exterior bottom piece with foam interfacing and the matching lining. Baste around the edges with a ⅛” seam.
Add optional quilting lines (e.g., 2” apart) for a decorative touch. Repeat for the second bottom panel.
3. Join the Vinyl and Fabric
Place one quilted bottom piece lining-side up. Align a vinyl panel with its raw edge against the top edge of the quilted bottom.
Sandwich a folded binding strip over the seam and sew using a ¼” seam allowance. Fold, wrap, and topstitch the binding neatly. Repeat for the second side.
4. Add Exterior Pockets
Center each clear pocket on the vinyl panel about 2” below the top edge. Secure with masking tape. Sew along the pocket sides and bottom through the lower binding to attach and enclose edges.
5. Make and Attach Straps
Fold each interfaced strap in half lengthwise, sew along the long edge with ¼” seam, turn right side out, and topstitch both edges.
Position straps about 4” from each side edge, aligning ends with the bottom. Sew them down securely, reinforcing above the pockets.
6. Insert the Zipper
Trim the zipper to 16”. Bind both ends using the small binding pieces. Use Wondertape to position the zipper between the two vinyl panels, with the top edges about ⅛” from the zipper teeth. Stitch along the binding to attach both sides.
7. Assemble the Bag
Place the bag panels right sides together. Sew the sides and bottom with a ¼” seam allowance. Cover each raw seam with the corresponding binding strips, wrapping and topstitching for a clean interior finish.
8. Box the Corners
Flatten each corner, aligning seams in opposite directions. Stitch across with a ¼” seam, then bind each boxed corner neatly. Trim and tuck in the ends.
Turn the bag right side out, and your clear vinyl tote bag is complete!
