On the surface this may seem like more than a beginner sewing project, but it is really just sewing two pieces of fabric together. If you can do that, multiple times, and sew those together then you can do it too.<\/p>\n
Supplies:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n- 1\/2 yard cotton canvas\n
\n- Cut one rectangle: 16 x 33\u201d<\/li>\n
- Cut two strips: 3 x 36\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Thread<\/li>\n
- Sewing machine<\/li>\n
- Scissors <\/li>\n
- Seam gauge <\/li>\n
- Iron<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Steps:<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/1-MeasureAndCut.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n- Measure and cut out the first large block. This will be the body of the canvas bag. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4-MeasuredStrips2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nAfter cutting it, fold it in half and iron the fold. This will be your guide for sewing the handle. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/5-IronSide.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n2. Cut out the two long strips. These will be your handles. Fold the strips in half lengthwise and iron. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/3-MeasuredStrips1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/7-IronStrips2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThen fold in half and iron. Here you are making a hem, so once you sew there will be no exposed raw edges.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/8-IronStrips3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n3. Sew the straps together by stitching down the open side with about an 1\/4\u201d seam allowance. Then sew a straight stitch down the other side, the same 1\/4\u201d from the edge. The other side is more for visual consistency.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/13-SewStrips.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n4. Fold the bag in half with right sides facing (RSF). The bag is still inside out at this point. Then sew up the sides with a 1\/2\u201d seam allowance. I am marking the bag with an X here to indicate which is the right side and which is the wrong side (of course if it’s a single color then it doesn’t really matter, which can actually be easier when starting out).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/9-SewSides.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n5. Fold the top of the bag down 1\u201d with wrong sides facing. Then fold down again another 1\u201d. Iron down and crease. Again, you’re doing the double fold toward the inside of the bag so that the edges will be smooth.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/10-FoldDownTop.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nApologies for the poor contrast. The iron is sewing the edge of the fold here.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/11-IronDownTop.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n6. With wrong sides still out, measure 3\u201d in from each side and mark at the top. Do this on the front and back.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/12-MeasureAndMarkSides.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n7. Take your strap strips, fold one end down about 1\u201d and tuck it under the hem you just rolled at the 3 inch marks you just made.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/14-FoldStrips.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/15-FoldTabsUnder.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n8. Pin or clip the strips down and baste them in place with the ends tucked under the frame. Each end of the strap strip should be on the same side of the main bag.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/17-BasteStraps2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nA basting stitch is a stitch used to hold fabric in place while you position it temporarily. To do a basting stitch set your stitch length to the longest setting. Then stitch where you want to hold in place. Do not do a back stitch here. After you do your actual stitch, pull this placeholder thread out.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/20-AboutBasting.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThe basting step is also a good place to try out the straps of the bag, check the placement of them and adjust before you sew the whole thing down.<\/p>\n
9. Next you are going to sew the straps and the hem in place. Start at the side seam and stitch the hem down all the way around the top of the bag about 1\/4\u201d away from the lower edge of the hem. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/18-SewDownTop.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nYou will be sealing the handles down under the hem with this stitch. Don\u2019t try to pull the fabric along here. Let the feed dogs do the work.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth noting too that you don\u2019t need to get caught up in the seam length and lining everything up. Unless you\u2019re planning on selling these on Etsy then this is your project . It doesn\u2019t have to be perfect, and that\u2019s the point.<\/p>\n
10. Remove the basting stitches. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/19-RemoveBasting.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n11. Turn the bag right side out.<\/p>\n
12. Then starting at the side seam top stitch around the top of the bag about 1\/8-1\/4\u201d down from the top. Starting at the side makes the back stitch less visible. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/21-SewTopOfBag.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nMake sure you keep track of where the straps are so you see them down at the right spot and don\u2019t sew them down at a weird angle. If you do, don\u2019t worry. That\u2019s what seam rippers are for.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/22-MessedUp.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n13. Box stitch the part of the straps at the top of the bag to make it more secure. A box stitch is pretty self explanatory but to do it stitch a rectangle around the strap, then when you\u2019ve completed the rectangle stitch diagonally across to the other corner, stitch back up then diagonally back across. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/23-BoxCorners1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nWhen you pivot at each corner, keep the needle down in the fabric, lift up the presser foot, and rotate the fabric around the needle. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/24-BoxCorners2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nAgain, don\u2019t forget to lock your stitch at the beginning and end (also known as back stitching or back tacking.) Draw a box around the straps if it helps and sew right inside the lines. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/25-BoxCorners3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nAlso be mindful of where the other side of the bag is and be careful not to sew through to the other side of the bag. It can help to manually crank the foot with the wheel here to get more precision at the pivot points.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s it. Be proud of your achievement, show it off and share it with your kids.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/26-BoxCorners4.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nExtra credit:<\/strong> <\/p>\nYou can add some depth to the bag here by practicing adding box corners to the bottom of the tote bag.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/28-MitreCorner2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nFold the bag inside out. If necessary, iron again and make sure your center crease is nice and clear. Fold the bottom corner flat so it\u2019s shaped like a triangle. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/27-MitreCorner1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThere should be equal distance from each corner to the center line. Measure 1-2\u201d down the center from the tip and mark. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/30-MitreCorner4.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nThe further down you go the wider the bag will be. But don\u2019t go too far or the bottom will taper inward toward the bottom.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/31-MitreCorner5.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n Draw a line across the crease at that point that is perpendicular to the center line. Sew down this line. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/32-MitreCorner6.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nRemember to lock your stitch at both ends. Then cut off the triangle part and turn the bag right side out.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/33-MitreCorner7.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n You now have some added depth to the bag.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/34-MitreCorner8.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/newdadsewingschool.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/35-AllDone.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n
\nWhat to make next<\/p>\n
\n- Beginner Frugal Dad Sewing: Sew a Simple Drawstring Bag<\/a><\/li>\n
- Sew a $1 Bento Bag in 10 Minutes<\/a><\/li>\n
- Sew a Thread and Scrap Basket<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
The biggest benefit I’ve found with this is a dad are the ability to spin up bags that you can stash wherever you want. 1) Make a couple so you always have canvas bags in your car for the grocery store (how many times have you bought more than you expected only to have too much to carry in your hands back to your car?). 2) Have a canvas bag available for your kid’s park toys. If you get a ton of sand in it it’s okay because it’s your park toy bag. I’m sure there are lots of things you can benefit by having a random canvas bag for.<\/p>\n
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Canvas totes are another practical project you can use to build up your sewing muscles. There\u2019s a lot of variety you can do with fabrics and textures. Sewing canvas bags from scrap materials like old clothes or linens is also a good way to teach your kids about environmental stewardship and up cycling too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,34],"tags":[22,18,17,23],"class_list":["post-67","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-first-baby-necessities","category-practical-sewing-projects","tag-canvas-bags","tag-new-dad","tag-sewing","tag-upcycling"],"yoast_head":"\n
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- \n
- Cut one rectangle: 16 x 33\u201d<\/li>\n
- Cut two strips: 3 x 36\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Thread<\/li>\n
- Sewing machine<\/li>\n
- Scissors <\/li>\n
- Seam gauge <\/li>\n
- Iron<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Steps:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n- \n
- Measure and cut out the first large block. This will be the body of the canvas bag. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/figure>\n
After cutting it, fold it in half and iron the fold. This will be your guide for sewing the handle. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n2. Cut out the two long strips. These will be your handles. Fold the strips in half lengthwise and iron. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\nThen fold in half and iron. Here you are making a hem, so once you sew there will be no exposed raw edges.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n3. Sew the straps together by stitching down the open side with about an 1\/4\u201d seam allowance. Then sew a straight stitch down the other side, the same 1\/4\u201d from the edge. The other side is more for visual consistency.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n4. Fold the bag in half with right sides facing (RSF). The bag is still inside out at this point. Then sew up the sides with a 1\/2\u201d seam allowance. I am marking the bag with an X here to indicate which is the right side and which is the wrong side (of course if it’s a single color then it doesn’t really matter, which can actually be easier when starting out).<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n5. Fold the top of the bag down 1\u201d with wrong sides facing. Then fold down again another 1\u201d. Iron down and crease. Again, you’re doing the double fold toward the inside of the bag so that the edges will be smooth.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nApologies for the poor contrast. The iron is sewing the edge of the fold here.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n6. With wrong sides still out, measure 3\u201d in from each side and mark at the top. Do this on the front and back.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n7. Take your strap strips, fold one end down about 1\u201d and tuck it under the hem you just rolled at the 3 inch marks you just made.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n8. Pin or clip the strips down and baste them in place with the ends tucked under the frame. Each end of the strap strip should be on the same side of the main bag.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nA basting stitch is a stitch used to hold fabric in place while you position it temporarily. To do a basting stitch set your stitch length to the longest setting. Then stitch where you want to hold in place. Do not do a back stitch here. After you do your actual stitch, pull this placeholder thread out.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nThe basting step is also a good place to try out the straps of the bag, check the placement of them and adjust before you sew the whole thing down.<\/p>\n
9. Next you are going to sew the straps and the hem in place. Start at the side seam and stitch the hem down all the way around the top of the bag about 1\/4\u201d away from the lower edge of the hem. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nYou will be sealing the handles down under the hem with this stitch. Don\u2019t try to pull the fabric along here. Let the feed dogs do the work.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth noting too that you don\u2019t need to get caught up in the seam length and lining everything up. Unless you\u2019re planning on selling these on Etsy then this is your project . It doesn\u2019t have to be perfect, and that\u2019s the point.<\/p>\n
10. Remove the basting stitches. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n11. Turn the bag right side out.<\/p>\n
12. Then starting at the side seam top stitch around the top of the bag about 1\/8-1\/4\u201d down from the top. Starting at the side makes the back stitch less visible. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nMake sure you keep track of where the straps are so you see them down at the right spot and don\u2019t sew them down at a weird angle. If you do, don\u2019t worry. That\u2019s what seam rippers are for.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n13. Box stitch the part of the straps at the top of the bag to make it more secure. A box stitch is pretty self explanatory but to do it stitch a rectangle around the strap, then when you\u2019ve completed the rectangle stitch diagonally across to the other corner, stitch back up then diagonally back across. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nWhen you pivot at each corner, keep the needle down in the fabric, lift up the presser foot, and rotate the fabric around the needle. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nAgain, don\u2019t forget to lock your stitch at the beginning and end (also known as back stitching or back tacking.) Draw a box around the straps if it helps and sew right inside the lines. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nAlso be mindful of where the other side of the bag is and be careful not to sew through to the other side of the bag. It can help to manually crank the foot with the wheel here to get more precision at the pivot points.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s it. Be proud of your achievement, show it off and share it with your kids.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nExtra credit:<\/strong> <\/p>\n
You can add some depth to the bag here by practicing adding box corners to the bottom of the tote bag.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nFold the bag inside out. If necessary, iron again and make sure your center crease is nice and clear. Fold the bottom corner flat so it\u2019s shaped like a triangle. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nThere should be equal distance from each corner to the center line. Measure 1-2\u201d down the center from the tip and mark. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nThe further down you go the wider the bag will be. But don\u2019t go too far or the bottom will taper inward toward the bottom.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nDraw a line across the crease at that point that is perpendicular to the center line. Sew down this line. <\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nRemember to lock your stitch at both ends. Then cut off the triangle part and turn the bag right side out.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nYou now have some added depth to the bag.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/p>\n
\nWhat to make next<\/p>\n
- \n
- Beginner Frugal Dad Sewing: Sew a Simple Drawstring Bag<\/a><\/li>\n
- Sew a $1 Bento Bag in 10 Minutes<\/a><\/li>\n
- Sew a Thread and Scrap Basket<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
The biggest benefit I’ve found with this is a dad are the ability to spin up bags that you can stash wherever you want. 1) Make a couple so you always have canvas bags in your car for the grocery store (how many times have you bought more than you expected only to have too much to carry in your hands back to your car?). 2) Have a canvas bag available for your kid’s park toys. If you get a ton of sand in it it’s okay because it’s your park toy bag. I’m sure there are lots of things you can benefit by having a random canvas bag for.<\/p>\n
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Canvas totes are another practical project you can use to build up your sewing muscles. There\u2019s a lot of variety you can do with fabrics and textures. Sewing canvas bags from scrap materials like old clothes or linens is also a good way to teach your kids about environmental stewardship and up cycling too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,34],"tags":[22,18,17,23],"class_list":["post-67","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-first-baby-necessities","category-practical-sewing-projects","tag-canvas-bags","tag-new-dad","tag-sewing","tag-upcycling"],"yoast_head":"\n
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- Measure and cut out the first large block. This will be the body of the canvas bag. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n