Are you a crafter? Do you enjoy creating your decor or accessories?

If you are into fashion or decorating, you surely are familiar with mudcloth. Designers are using it to create everything from pillows to tote bags to outdoor planters.

If you are not familiar with this hand-crafted African fabric, you need to add it to your repertoire. Use it to update your wardrobe with DIY accessories.

Mudcloth is all the rage these days. Hop on the bandwagon with this tutorial on how to make a tote bag from this gorgeous fabric.

How to Make a Tote Bag

If you have some basic sewing skills, grab your fabric scissors, a cut of beautiful mudcloth fabric, and some thread. In no time, you will have a trendy fabric tote bag that will be the envy of your friends.

1. Choose and Cut Your Fabric

Once you choose the color and design of the mudcloth, you will have to decide on the size of your tote bag pattern.

It is a good idea to wash and iron the fabric before making your bag to prevent it from shrinking later.

For this tutorial, we will go with a medium-sized tote. You can adjust the size according to your needs.

• Cut two 14 x 16-inch rectangles from your mudcloth.
• If you are lining the bag, cut two rectangles of the same size from your lining fabric.
• Decide on the length you would like for your straps and multiply that by two as they will be folded in half.
• Cut two equal lengths of fabric for the straps about 2 inches wide.
• Fold in half inside out and iron the crease to prepare for sewing.

Be thorough when you iron, as this will make your sewing much easier.

2. Prepare Your Fabric for the Handles

Using a fabric pen, mark where you want the handles positioned on the fabric.

Do this by folding the fabric into thirds lengthwise. The marks will go on the ends of the fabric, the middle being the bottom part of the bag.

3. Start Sewing

Begin with sewing the top edges of the rectangles. If you are adding a lining, lay it on top of the inside of the fabric. Fold over to make an edge and pin before sewing.

After sewing the hem, place the two rectangles together with the good sides of the fabric touching. Sew the sides and the bottom and leave the top open.

For the bag to be a tote, you need to miter the corners. Right now they are at a 90-degree angle. Sew across each corner perpendicularly.

Sew the handles lengthwise and turn right side out.

Fold the ends of the handles and iron. Now take the handles and place them on the marks you made earlier and sew onto the outside of the bag.

4. Decorate

With the mudcloth fabric, you might want to skip this step because the fabric speaks for itself. If you want to add something though, you can do so with fabric paint, buttons, or rhinestones.

Getting Your Style On

Whether you want to learn how to make a tote bag or pillows for your home with mudcloth, then visit our site and choose from our beautiful fabrics and textiles.

With 20 years of experience in the African fabrics market, AKN Fabrics guarantees you the best product, selection, price, and overall service. We are specialists in the finest fabrics from Holland, London, African Gambia, West Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and India. We specialize in Jacquards, hand embroidery, silks, seersuckers, cottons, quilting fabrics various other West African fabrics.