Make A Monogrammed Jumbo Tote Bag

I had such a great time making the monogrammed zipper bags that it got me thinking about using the same technique on a tote bag. I wanted to make a jumbo tote that I could easily fill with my groceries or use for a weekend trip to the coast. After making the burlap feed sacks for the farm party, I knew I wanted to use the yard of burlap I had leftover from that project. I then mixed the rustic fabric with a remnant quarter yard of teal outdoor fabric and made this jumbo monogrammed tote. The trick to making a great monogram out of fabric is using fusible interfacing on the back of the letter. It will stiffen the monogram making it easier to sew and also helps keep the raw edge from fraying. You can see how I did this in the tutorial below. I also used pinking sheers on the edge of the letter for both the look of the chevron edge and to also help with fraying. This bag is so simple to make. It took me less than two hours form start to finish and gave me an opportunity to recycle these fabric leftovers. In my tutorial I give you the dimensions I used for the bag in the photo but you can make it any size that suits you. I have included a PDF for the monogram letters in this serif font that you can download at the end of the post. Enjoy! ~ Lia

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27 Comments

Christa Woods March 13, 2017 at 7:58am

I can not seem to find the pattern or lengths you used!?

Reply
1. Lia March 14, 2017 at 4:09pm
  
  There isn’t a pattern for this one. The 4th photo lists the sizes: 22″ x 60″ of burlap, two pieces of 22″ x 12″ of your contract fabric, and 5″ x 39″ for the strap.
  
  Reply
Marisol November 17, 2016 at 6:47pm

I love this bag would you happen to have a video tutorial on this bag?

Reply
1. Lia November 18, 2016 at 7:42am
  
  Thanks so much! Sorry, no video for this one, but I do hope to have more sewing video tutorials in the coming months 🙂
  
  Reply
Chris October 13, 2016 at 8:24am

Hey, thank you for this great tutorial!
I have a question about step 13: whydo i mark the edges? Is there a missing sewing-step or is it where its pressed? If so, how can i see the mark if the bag is turned over?
Chris

Reply
1. Lia November 1, 2016 at 8:37am
  
  Hi Chris! Thanks for catching that– the marking indicates where you sew. You can trim the excess before turning it back inside out!
  
  Reply
Mandy July 30, 2015 at 1:00pm

What a cute bag!!!! I love big bags, I’m always finding something else to throw in. Will have to try and make one soon. Are there any pockets?

Reply
1. Lia August 3, 2015 at 10:50am
  
  I did not make a pocket for this one but you could easily add one.
  
  Reply
Natalie of Totes Awesome March 13, 2014 at 4:09pm

Hi Lia, I featured your beautiful tutorial on my website, totesawesome.net Thanks for being so generous sharing your patterns.

Reply
1. Lia March 13, 2014 at 8:25pm
  
  Thanks Natalie!! You are so sweet.
  
  Reply
Monogrammed Giant Tote Tute « Totes Awesome March 13, 2014 at 4:07pm

[…] We love the colours she has chosen to use, and her attention to detail in the instructions. Go take a look! Lia Griffith […]

Reply
Dawn January 5, 2014 at 8:04am

Hi Lia,
Started making this tote for a friend but I am stuck on the part that says “sew the long side of contrast piece together”. Is there a step missing? Or was I suppose to cut two pieces of the contrast material?

Reply
1. Lia January 7, 2014 at 5:06pm
  
  Yes, I have fixed my error. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
  
  Reply
Naomi January 2, 2014 at 6:43pm

Hi Lia! Happy New Year! I am ready to start some sewing projects and I think this is a good one to start with. I am new at sewing so still getting used to the lingo. I think I missed something. Am I supposed to cut 2 pieces of contrast fabric 22 x 12? I don’t understand how you would sew the long edges together if there is only 1 piece that is 22 x 12. Please clarify. Thanks!

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1. Lia January 7, 2014 at 5:04pm
  
  So sorry about that. I fixed my error on the instructions. Yes, it is 2 pieces. 🙂
  
  Reply
Peggy De Leeuw December 25, 2013 at 11:46pm

I’m ready to start sewing.
This is a wonderfull project to try it out.
Thank you so much Lia.
ps : this is an amazing blog ! so beautifull and warm.

Reply
1. Lia December 26, 2013 at 8:16pm
  
  I am ready to get back to sewing again too! More of those projects coming your way.
  
  Reply
Last-Minute Gift Ideas to Make for Christmas | Lia Griffith December 21, 2013 at 9:42am

[…] HER: Vintage Monogrammed Stationery | Faux Dipped Wooden Spoons | Monogrammed Burlap Jumbo Tote | Lavender Bath […]

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Come cucire una bella borsa per tutti i giorni… | Dilanaedaltrestorie December 1, 2013 at 11:58pm

[…] trovato un bel tutorial per realizzare una borsa da utilizzare tutti i giorni… https://liagriffith.com/make-a-monogrammed-jumbo-tote-bag/ mi piace molto il contrasto del lino con i tessuti colorati, al posto dell’iniziale si può […]

Reply
12 Favorite DIYs for Monogrammed Gifts – Maker Crate November 25, 2013 at 11:06am

[…] 6. Jumbo Monogrammed Tote Bag […]

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Amy's NotebookThe Motherload November 20, 2013 at 3:00am

[…] in love with this beautiful monogrammed jumbo tote bag – I can think of so many things I could use this […]

Reply
Link Round-up: DIY Monogrammed Tote Bag, Candy Corn Fruit Cup, Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate, and More | Modern Baby September 25, 2013 at 1:01am

[…] Lia Griffith showed us how to make a monogrammed jumbo tote bag. […]

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74 fun things // 37 | 74 Lime Lane September 19, 2013 at 9:23pm

[…] Make a monogrammed jumbo tote with Lia Griffith […]

Reply
JaneEllen September 13, 2013 at 8:45pm

Great bag gal, it’s so pretty also. I love to make bags. My machine doesn’t always cooperate (or I’m having a senior hour or so) but I just walk away for awhile (or a day or so) and go back to it later.
You are multi-talented, being able to sew and all the other mediums you work with. Hobby Lobby has some cotton duck fabric I think I’ll get to make a bag, the one in Grand Junction has aqua with cream background and I think either pink or orange chevron. I’m going to get some of the aqua chevron to make a bag, with a 40%off coupon of course. . Cotton Duck fabric is
$8.99 a yard, ouch.
I loved your summer bags but zippers and me are not exactly compatible. My patience ends when it comes to zippers. I used to put zippers in clothes I made but not any more.
The fabric you used is so pretty, wish I could find it. Love all the new geometric prints that are out now but don’t like their prices. Happy weekend

Reply
1. Lia September 14, 2013 at 9:21am
  
  Thanks! I also love recycling fabrics that I find at second hand stores or yard sales. I considered making this bag from an old coffee sack, but wanted to use up what I had first. Just keep your eyes open for good patterns where ever you go and things will pop up! Happy sewing!
  
  Reply
Lisa Taylor Whitley September 13, 2013 at 4:26pm

What a great bag! Love it!

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1. Lia September 14, 2013 at 9:07am
  
  Thanks Lisa! It is JUMBO! 🙂
  
  Reply