This is a quick and easy to make tote bag with a gusset so that it will stand up, I have used an oilcloth fabric from Trixie Lixie

I didn’t bother to line this bag as the oilcloth fabric is nice and thick, I cut out 2 rectangles for the front and the back and 2 long strips for the handles;

Next I joined the front to the back, right sides together along each side and the bottom;

To make the gusset turn the bottom corner in and sew across it;

Then trim away the excess, do this on both bottom corners;

To make the straps I just folded them over and seamed them as its much easier if you are using oilcloth fabric than making tubes and turning them the right way around!

The final step is to neaten the top of the bag and attach the straps;

Oilcloth fabric is easy to neaten as it doesn’t fray so you only need to fold it over once.

When I attached the handles I stitched a box and a cross to hold them securely in place.

The gusset on the bottom means that the bag will stand up, great for shopping!

The funky oilcloth fabric is called Field study and is a Freespirit fabric, you can buy it here.