Tote Bag Fabric Calculator
Calculate fabric for tote bags. Enter bag dimensions, style, and lining preference.
Tote Bag Sizes and Fabric Requirements
I have made dozens of tote bags over the years — they are one of my favorite projects because they use minimal fabric and make great gifts. A standard 15" x 14" tote with 4" depth needs the body cut as a single piece: 20" wide (15+4+1 for seams) by 34" tall (14x2+4+2 for seams and hem). Plus two 36" x 3" strips for handles.
On 54" fabric, the body fits once across the width, and the handle strips fit alongside. You need about 1 yard total for the main fabric. If you add a lining, you need another 0.75 yards of lining fabric. The market tote style uses slightly more because it is wider; the structured tote uses more interfacing but the same yardage.
Fabric and Hardware for Tote Bags
Cotton canvas and duck cloth are my favorite tote bag fabrics. They are sturdy, hold their shape, and come in great colors. For a lined tote, I use quilting cotton for the lining — it adds structure and a professional finish. Do not skip the interfacing for structured totes; a medium-weight fusible interfacing on the main fabric panels makes a huge difference in how the bag stands up.
You Might Also Need
Tote bags are part of a larger accessory sewing collection:
- Drawstring Bag Fabric Yardage — simple fabric pouch yardage guide
- Apron Fabric Yardage — fabric for matching aprons
- Scarf Fabric Yardage — accessory fabric projects