• Fabric: Choose a sturdy fabric such as cotton canvas, denim, or heavyweight cotton. For a medium-sized tote bag, you'll need approximately 1.5 to 2 yards of fabric. Consider the purpose of the bag and select a fabric that suits your needs. For example, if it's for beach trips, a water-resistant or easy-to-clean fabric might be ideal.

• Thread: Select a thread that matches the color and weight of your fabric. A strong, all-purpose thread is usually a good choice.

• Sewing Machine: A basic sewing machine will do the job, but if you have a machine with additional features like adjustable stitch length and width, it can be helpful for different parts of the project.

• Scissors: Sharp fabric scissors are essential for cutting the fabric accurately.

• Pins: Use straight pins to hold the fabric pieces together while sewing.

• Measuring Tape: To measure and mark the fabric for cutting.

• Iron and Ironing Board: Helps in pressing the fabric and seams for a neat finish.

• Optional: Interfacing: If you want to add extra structure and stability to the bag, you can use fusible interfacing. This is especially useful for lighter-weight fabrics.

  
  

• Main Bag Panels: Cut two rectangles of fabric for the front and back of the tote bag. The dimensions will depend on the size you want your bag to be. As a general guide, for a medium-sized bag, you can cut the rectangles to be about 15 inches wide by 18 inches tall.

• Bottom Panel: Cut one rectangle for the bottom of the bag. The width of this rectangle should be the same as the width of the main panels (15 inches in our example), and the length should be around 5 inches.

• Handles: Cut two long strips of fabric for the handles. Each strip can be about 2 inches wide and 30 - 36 inches long, depending on how long you want your handles to be.

• Fold each handle strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press with an iron. This creates a crease down the middle.

• Open up the folded strip and fold each long edge towards the center crease. Press again.

• Fold the strip in half once more, enclosing the raw edges inside, and press. The handle should now be a neat, narrow strip.

• Sew along both long edges of the handle using a straight stitch. This secures the folded edges and gives the handle strength.

• Take one of the main bag panels and place it right side up. Position the ends of one handle about 3 - 4 inches from each side of the top edge of the panel. Pin the handles in place, making sure they are evenly spaced and the raw edges of the handles align with the raw edge of the bag panel.

• Repeat this step for the other handle on the same bag panel.

• Sew across the ends of the handles where they are pinned to the bag panel. Reinforce the stitching by sewing back and forth a few times to ensure the handles are firmly attached.

• Take the other main bag panel and set it aside for now.

• Take the bottom panel and place it right side up.

• Align one short edge of the bottom panel with the bottom edge of the main bag panel that already has the handles attached. The right sides of the fabric should be facing each other. Pin the two pieces together.

• Sew along the pinned edge using a 1/2 - inch seam allowance.

• Take the remaining main bag panel and place it right side down on top of the bottom panel, aligning the edges. The right sides of the fabric should be facing each other. Pin all the way around the three open sides (the two side edges and the remaining bottom edge).

• Sew along the pinned sides using a 1/2 - inch seam allowance, leaving a small opening (about 3 - 4 inches) on one of the side seams. This opening will be used to turn the bag right side out later.

  
  

• Trim the corners of the bag at an angle, being careful not to cut through the stitches. This helps to reduce bulk when turning the bag right side out.

• Reach through the opening in the side seam and turn the bag right side out. Use a blunt object like a chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push out the corners of the bag, making them nice and sharp.

• Press the bag all over with an iron to smooth out the seams and give it a neat appearance.

• Fold the raw edges of the opening in the side seam towards the inside of the bag and press. Sew the opening closed using a slip stitch or a topstitch, making sure the stitches are neat and inconspicuous.

• Interfacing: If you decided to use interfacing, cut pieces of interfacing to match the shape and size of the main bag panels and the bottom panel. Follow the instructions on the interfacing package to fuse it to the wrong side of the fabric. This adds extra stability and structure to the bag.

• Lining: To add a lining to your tote bag, repeat the steps for cutting and assembling the main bag, but use a different fabric for the lining. Once the lining is assembled, turn it right side out. Place the lining inside the main bag, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Align the top edges and pin all the way around. Sew around the top edge, using a 1/2 - inch seam allowance. Reach through the opening in the side seam of the main bag (if you left one) and pull the main bag out through the lining, turning the entire bag right side out. Press the top edge of the bag and sew a topstitch around the top to secure the lining in place and give the bag a finished look.

Your flat-bottom tote bag is now complete! You can customize it further by adding pockets, embroidery, or other decorative elements. Use it for your next shopping trip, as a beach bag, or as a stylish accessory for everyday use.