How To Make A Quilted Tote From Any Quilt Block: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

This tutorial includes instructions for making a 13" x 13" x 4" quilted tote out of any quilt block. I recommend making the front and back panels of the tote at least 16 1/2" square. They can be larger; it will just make a larger tote. However, if your quilt blocks are not that big, it's okay! You can create them! I've included instructions for sizing up your quilt blocks below.

I'm using a 13 1/2" block from my Mary Golden Quilt Pattern, which will be available later this summer HERE!

• Please read through all instructions before getting started.
• Tutorial assumes basic quilting and sewing knowledge.

• SA: Seam Allowance
• RST: Right Sides Together
• WST: Wrong Sides Together
• RS: Right Side of Fabric
• WS: Wrong Side of Fabric
• RSO: Right Side of Fabric Out
• WSO: Wrong Side of Fabric Out

All of my favorite sewing supplies and notions for this project are listed HERE!

Step 1: Cutting the Fabric Strips

Exterior: (2) quilt blocks or fabric pieces at least 16 1/2" square.

NOTE: It's okay if they're larger or smaller. See the instructions below to size up your block.

Interior Lining: (2) fabric pieces that are the same size as the exterior fabric pieces. 

For example, my exterior pieces are 16 1/2" square, so I cut (2) interior lining pieces to 16 1/2" square.

Batting: (4) pieces, at least 2" larger than the exterior and interior lining pieces. Mine are 18 1/2" square.

You'll need two of the same size fabric pieces for the exterior and two for the interior lining. See the Fabric Requirements section above.

Front Exterior Panel

I'm using a 13 1/2" square block from my Mary Golden Quilt Pattern to demonstrate how I sized up a quilt block for the front exterior panel. 

My goal was to make a 16 1/2" square exterior panel. I sewed a fabric strip to each side (1 3/4" x 13 1/2" each) and then a third strip to the bottom (16 1/2" x 3 1/2") of the 13 1/2" block. See the diagram below.

TIP: I like to add at least a 3 1/2" tall piece to the bottom of a smaller block so the block details don't get wrapped around the bottom of the tote.

NOTE: Don't forget to add seam allowance to the pieces you add. You will generally need to add 1/2" to the the width and height. If you're unsure how to calculate this, just make the pieces extra big, sew them on, and then trim the final block to the desired size. Don't stress about this!

Back Exterior Panel

I used a single piece of fabric that equaled the size of my original quilt block plus the added side pieces (16 1/2" x 13 1/2") and added a bottom piece (16 1/2" x 3 1/2") to make the back exterior panel (16 1/2" x 16 1/2"). See the diagram below.

There are many options for making the back! You could use a second quilt block for the back or a single piece of fabric for the whole thing.

Step 1: Prepare & Quilt Your Exterior Fabric

1. Adhere batting to WS of exterior and interior lining fabric using basting spray or basting pins.

2. Mark exterior fabric for quilting using a Hera Marker or Temporary Fabric Marker.

3. Quilt exterior fabric panels by hand or machine. I quilted by hand using Aurifil Floss.

TIP: Secure quilting threads by stitching around the perimeter of the block, using a 1/8" SA, before trimming.

4. Trim all four fabric panels to the same size.

NOTE: Trim front exterior panel first, then use that size for trimming the other pieces. Quilted pieces may shrink slightly, so adjust all four panels as needed. My front exterior piece shrunk to 16" after quilting. 

5. Draw and Cut a 2" square in the bottom corner of all four pieces.

TIP: Secure quilting threads by stitching around the perimeter of the cutout, using a 1/8" SA, before cutting. 

Step 2: Attach Webbing To Make Handles

6. Find the center of both exterior panels along the top edge and mark with a temporary fabric pen.

7. Then, mark 3" to both sides of center on both exterior panels.

8. Position the inner edges of one webbing strap at both marks.

TIP: Be sure the webbing is not twisted.

9. Position the webbing so that it extends 1/2" past the top edge.

10. Use fabric clips to secure, then stitch in place using a 1/8" SA, backstitching at the beginning and end.

Step 3: Sew Exterior and Interior Panels of the Quilted Tote

Exterior Panels

11. Place the exterior panels RST. Use fabric clips to secure the sides and bottom. 

TIP: Be sure to match up any seams before securing with the fabric clips.

12. Sew along the sides and bottom using a 1/2" SA. Do Not sew the cutout corners.

13. Trim the bottom and side SAs to 1/4".

Interior Panels

14. Place the interior lining panels RST, and use fabric clips to secure the sides and bottom as you did in step 11.

15. Sew the side seams, starting with a 1/2" SA at the top and easing into a 5/8" SA as you sew toward the bottom.

16. Sew the bottom seam using a 5/8" SA. Leave a 7" opening in the center for turning the tote later. Do Not sew the cutout corners!

17. Trim ONLY the SIDE SAs to 1/4". Do Not trim the bottom SA.

Step 4: Box the Corners of the Quilted Tote

18. Match the side and bottom seam in one of the cutout corners of the exterior panels, aligning the raw edges of the fabric. Use fabric clips to secure.

19. Sew across the aligned fabric edge with a 1/2" SA.

20. Repeat for the second exterior cutout corner.

21. Repeat steps 18-20 for the interior lining cutouts but use a 5/8" SA instead.

22. Trim all four seam allowances to 1/4".

Step 5: Assemble Quilted Tote

23. Turn the exterior of the quilted tote RSO. Keep the interior WSO.

24. Place the exterior tote inside of the lining, RST, aligning the side seams.

25. Use fabric clips to secure the top edges together.

26. Sew around the top using a 1/4" SA. Backstitch over handles.

27. Turn the quilted tote RSO by pulling the exterior through the 7" opening in the bottom of the lining.

28. Push the lining inside of the exterior and press the top edge.

29. Use fabric clips to secure the top edge from rolling.

30. Topstitch 1/8" and 1/4" from the top edge for a clean finish.

Step 6: Finish Interior of the Quilted Tote

31. Fold the SA, of the 7" opening (in the bottom of the interior lining), under by 5/8" and press.

32. Use fabric clips to secure the opening and stitch closed, using a 1/16" SA, either by hand or machine.

33. Tuck the lining inside the tote and give the entire bag a final press.

If you'd like to download a PDF of this tutorial you can get that HERE along with a resources list of my favorite sewing notions and supplies!

I used a 13 1/2" block from my Mary Golden Quilt Pattern to make my quilted tote. The pattern will be available HERE.

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I'll keep you in the loop with updates, tips, and more sneak peeks! Tutorials like this are so fun to share. I hope you've learned something new or taken a little tid bit that you can add to your own sewing practice.

Quilt Pattern

Mary Golden Quilt Pattern - Available Summer 2025

Fabric

• Wildflower Wovens by Art Gallery Fabrics
• Basics Stripe by Riley Blake Designs

My Favorite Threads

• Aurifil 12 wt Thread - quilting, embroidery, big stitch binding
• Aurifil 12 wt Wool Thread - embroidery
• Aurifil 8 wt Thread - embroidery, big stitch binding
• Aurifil 50 wt Thread - piecing, bobbin
• Aurifil 80 wt Thread - hand sewing

Essential Quilting Tools

Here's a Link to my Amazon Store Front if you're curious about the specific supplies I use!