Easy Quilted Tote Tutorial for Beginner Quilters

September 8, 2025

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I’ve been wanting a new tote to carry to and from the library. Pair that need with moving some quilted panel scraps around my sewing room for too long (read: over a year!), and you have The Favorite Tote — restyled!

I used our original tutorial for the Favorite Tote and adapted it to work with quilted panels. I must say, this is a beginner-friendly quilted tote tutorial! Grab your batting scraps and some fun fabrics from your stash, and make your own quilted tote bag today.

👉 Grab both the FREE Quilted Tote Pattern and the Original Favorite Tote Pattern here

Ruby Star Society Scrap Panel

You might remember my full set of patchwork duffel bags I made for the family a while back. I had some large off-cuts of quilted panels that I’ve been shuffling around ever since. Back then, I used Speckled in Navy for the lining. The exterior is a cotton linen canvas called River Rocks in Navy by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Ruby Star Society.

For the exterior pocket, I used Star in Honey from the Winterglow Collection — also a cotton linen canvas. I originally started with a different exterior pocket but mis-cut the size and pivoted on the fly. Honestly? I think I love this pairing even more.

👉 Download the FREE Quilted Favorite Tote Pattern here

Domestic Triangles Pantograph

You can recreate this fun triangle quilt design right on your domestic sewing machine! Since I have a longarm quilting machine, I loaded up the tote panels and stitched out this pantograph design from my friend Leisha. (If you’re looking for custom quilting, she does amazing work.) I love how this quilting pattern is simple enough that it doesn’t draw too much attention if things don't perfectly line up from the front to the back panels or across the boxed corners.

👉 Get the FREE Quilted Favorite Tote Pattern here

Binding: One Project’s Trash Is Another’s Treasure

This binding came from another quilt project. I had even attached it to the quilt but ended up being short on length. So I ripped it off and stashed it in my binding leftovers bin, ready to be used. And now? It’s found its permanent home on the Favorite Quilted Tote!

I always try to reuse or repurpose scraps in my sewing room, and this tote is a great example. One of the best things about this project is that there's no bias binding — it’s all straight binding, which we quilters are definitely used to. That makes this tote especially beginner-friendly, and all your quilting skills transfer beautifully to the world of handmade bags.

👉 Get the FREE Quilted Favorite Tote Pattern here

Longarm Quilting Services for Hire

Did you know I quilt bag panels on my longarm quilting machine? Send 1-3/4 yard of your lining fabric, 1-1/2 yard of your exterior fabric - I've got 58" wide soft and stable on hand that I can quilt up for you, all for $85 (based on 40" width of fabric). That gives you plenty of quilted panel to make multiple projects!

Need help finishing a quilt? I offer professional longarm quilting services for hire, perfect for modern quilters and lovers of classic quilt patterns alike. Whether you're working on a minimalist modern quilt design or something more traditional, I’d love to help you bring it to life.

I now also offer binding services — email me if you’d like more details! I provide mail-in longarm quilting services so you can get your quilt finished from anywhere in the U.S.

👉 Browse my longarm quilting services here

Whether you're stitching up modern quilt patterns or finishing a cherished heirloom, let’s get that quilt completed together.