The Tess Tote is a fantastic bag for travel, work, everyday carry (EDC), weekend runs to the farmers market, or even the gym. It stands up on its own and can be carried over your shoulder or at your side.
Backstory: The Tess Tote is named after a foster kitten we took care of in the summer of 2026. She was the only girl in a litter of six kittens and held her own with five wild brothers.
It features four pocket configurations, an optional zipper top, suitcase handle passthrough, and dedicated water bottle pockets. All pockets and the zipper top are optional, giving you the choice of making a simple streamlined tote or a bag with lots of versatile organization.
The finished tote measures 15.5" wide at the base, tapering to 20" wide at the top, 12.5" tall, and 5" deep (39.4 cm wide at base, 31.75 cm tall, 12.7 cm deep).
Please note: This pattern is for the tote bag only. The pouches shown in the images are not included in this pattern and are sold separately.
This is a PDF sewing pattern delivered by e-mail, not a physical paper pattern.
Skills learned:
- Gusset construction
- How to install a zipper
- How to finish zipper ends
- Pleated billow pockets
- How to sew a zipper pocket
- How to sew a full lining
Fabric Requirements:
Exterior — Medium weight, 5oz - 10oz per sq/yd (170 to 339 g/m²), 1¼ yards (1.15 m) wide, 45" (114 cm) long to cut the gusset with the grain
Lining — Light to medium weight, 3oz - 7oz per sq/yd (101 to 237 g/m²), 1¼ yards (1.15 m) wide, 45" (114 cm) long to cut the gusset with the grain.
Hardware Requirements:
- Top zipper — #5 or #8 nylon coil zipper, 1.25 - 1.5" wide, 25" long (metal teeth zipper not recommended) (32 mm - 38 mm wide, 63.5 cm long)
- Inside zipper pocket — #5 nylon coil zipper, 1.25" wide, 16.5" long (metal teeth zipper not recommended) (32 mm wide, 42 cm long)
- #5 and/or #8 zipper sliders — 1-2 sliders for top zipper, 1-2 sliders for inside zipper pocket. Use 2 sliders on each zipper to open from both ends
- Webbing — 1" wide, 104" (3 yards) long, for handles (25 mm wide, 2.65 m long)
- Paracord — 1-4 pieces, 11" long each, optional zipper pull. 4 pieces for 4 zipper pulls (28 cm each)
- Hook and loop — 1 piece 2" square, loop (soft) side, optional for patch (5 cm square)
In addition to detailed instructions and illustrations included with the pattern, a full step-by-step video sewing tutorial is available here:
Please note that this is a PDF pattern. It will be e-mailed to you after completing payment. A guide on how to print and assemble the pattern is here. Your download will contain as a zip file with two separate files inside, one for directions, one for the pattern. Both files print on US Letter or A4 size paper.
