Sewzy
Pocket Tote Sewing Pattern
The Pocket Tote is an intermediate sewing pattern in 2 sizes, Standard and Large. It takes about 3 hours in 14 written steps. It is in the Sewzy iPhone app with every size included. Print it as a letter-size PDF or an A0 copy-shop file.
Updated October 29, 2026
- Level
- Intermediate
- Time
- About 3 h
- Sizes
- 2
- Steps
- 14
The Pocket Tote pattern comes in 2 sizes, Standard and Large. It is an intermediate project that takes about 3 h, in 14 steps. Best fabrics: cotton canvas or duck (7 to 10 oz), denim or heavy linen.
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Photos are renders of the finished item, made from this pattern's shapes.
Sizes and fabric
| Size | Finished size and details | Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 16 x 11 in | Outer ⅞ yd · pockets 1¼ yd · lining 1⅝ yd |
| Large | 18 x 13 in | Outer 1 yd · pockets 1½ yd · lining 2½ yd |
Outer and straps: cotton canvas or duck (7 to 10 oz), denim or heavy linen. Pocket bands: quilting cotton, lightweight canvas or a contrast print (lighter fabric keeps the boxed corners easy to sew). Lining: quilting cotton or poplin.
You also need
- 1 magnetic snap (18 mm) + fusible interfacing scraps
- Optional: template plastic for a base insert
- Thread to match (topstitching thread looks great), clips, 90/14 or jeans needle
Pattern pieces
Bag body (cut 2 outer + 2 lining on fold), Deep pocket band (cut 2 pocket fabric + 2 lining on fold), Shallow pocket band (cut 2 pocket fabric on fold)
Seam allowance: ⅜ in (1 cm) included. The fold edges (bag center, pocket tops) have none.
The steps
The written guide in the app takes you through 14 steps, one at a time.
- Cut
- Mark
- Snap
- Fold the pocket bands
- Shallow band edges
- Outside pocket unit
- Stitch the outside pockets
- Inside pockets
- Straps
- Sew the outer bag
- Sew the lining
- Place the straps
- Join outer and lining
- Topstitch and finish
Watch how it's done
Short tutorials on YouTube for the techniques in this pattern, by other sewists. They are not made by Sewzy.
- 2 Ways to Sew Box Corners National Sewing Circle · Boxing the corners
- Teach Yourself to Sew: Patch Pockets Threads Sewing · The outside pockets
- How to make a tote bag bag with outside pockets Ae PooiM · Tote bag with outside pockets
More bags and accessories
Questions about the Pocket Tote
How much fabric does the Pocket Tote need?
Best fabrics: cotton canvas or duck (7 to 10 oz), denim or heavy linen. Exact amounts for each size are in the guide inside the Sewzy app.
Which sizes does the Pocket Tote come in?
It comes in 2 sizes, Standard and Large. The size table on this page lists what each size fits.
How long does the Pocket Tote take to sew?
About 3 hours. It is rated intermediate, and the written guide in the app has 14 steps.
Related guides
How to sew a tote bag with boxed corners (step by step)6 min readSew a lined tote bag with boxed corners in about 90 minutes. Cut sizes, seam allowance, strap length and the boxed corner trick, explained for beginners.
How much fabric do I need? A simple yardage guide4 min readHow much fabric do I need? Learn how to read fabric width, plan a cutting layout, add extra for shrinkage and matching, and work out yardage for any project.- How to print PDF sewing patterns at home, step by step5 min readHow to print PDF sewing patterns at home: set 100% scale, check the test square, tape tiles by their labels, or send an A0 sheet to a copy shop.
Sew the Pocket Tote in Sewzy
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