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How to Sew a Tote Bag from Placemat Panel

Tote bags made from placemat fabric panels are perfect for carrying notebooks, heading to yoga or bringing snacks to your child’s sporting events. Placemat panels – they’re not just for placemats for the table!

This tutorial features my September fabric panel and leaves fabric from the Monthly Placemat Program I designed for Riley Blake Designs.

September placemat panel and leaf fabric by Tara Reed for Riley Blake Designs

Placemat Tote Bag MATERIALS:

  • (2) images from a fabric placemat panel
  • 3/4 yard fabric for lining and handles
  • (1) 20″ x 24″ fusible fleece (Pellon 987F)
  • Thread
  • Sewing Machine
  • Ironing Board
  • Rotary Cutter & Mat (optional)

🎯 SHORTCUTS TO SPECIFIC TOPICS:
00:00 introduction
00:31 Supplies
01:00 Choosing a placemat design
01:33 Prepare the placemat panels
02:00 Pin and sew panels
02:16 Cut lining fabric
03:00 Fuse the fleece to lining
03:24 Sew outside and lining fabrics
05:41 Press seams open
05:47 Make bag handles
06:34 Clip handles to lining
07:55 Clip lining and outer fabrics together
09:21 Sew bag together
10:37 Push lining inside outer fabric
10:57 Topstitch to finish
11:17 Finished tote bags from a fabric placemat panel


This is a great sewing for beginners project, gift to sew or things to sew and sell. You can make 3 tote bags from each fabric placemat panel making it a budget friendly choice for gifts too.

Leave a comment and let us know what you’d use a placemat panel tote bag for.

For more projects and sewing fun, I would love to have you follow me on Instagram or Facebook. Happy Sewing!

 Tara Reed

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