Trader Joe’s mini tote bags just dropped in stores about a week ago, and (surprise) they’re already sold out.
Offered in pastel blue, green, pink, and purple — these adorable little totes took the world by storm after a different color wave was released last year and immediately sold out. This year’s spring-themed pastel color wave had tons of hype leading up to its arrival in stores on April 8. Originally sold at $2.99 a bag, these totes are now being resold on eBay for up to a whopping $1 million.
Everyone is pining for a Trader Joe’s mini tote, but it’s simply out of the question to be spending that fortune on a small bag. Never fear, that’s where crafting skills come in. Here’s how to DIY a Trader Joe’s mini tote bag from home.
What materials do I need?
Trader Joe’s mini tote bags are made using canvas fabric, which is sturdy and durable. You will need two colors for your tote: a cream fabric as the base and a customizable colored canvas for the bottom of the bag and the straps. You can pick pastel blue, green, pink, or purple if you want to exactly mimic Trader Joe’s — or select your own color to make your bag more unique!
Using a sewing machine will expedite the process a ton. If you are brave and have enough time on your hands, sewing by hand is possible but quite difficult. Your best bet is to borrow your grandmother’s sewing machine or visit your university’s workshop space, if they have sewing machines available.
When sewing, you most likely want to have an iron to flatten creases and seam ripper to undo your mistakes, as well.
So, how do I make this thing?
When you make your mini tote, keep in mind that the traditional Trader Joe’s dimensions are 13 inches long, by 11 inches tall, by 6 inches wide.
To make a bag, you want to make two identical sides to eventually piece together. First, cut out a 13 inch long and 9 inch tall rectangle of beige canvas fabric, and a 13 inch long and 2 inch tall trapezoid-shaped piece of colored fabric. Sew the longer edge of the trapezoid to the bottom of the rectangle. Make two of these.
Next, cut out a small square of cream fabric and sew its left, bottom, and right side to the outside of one side of the bag. This creates a small exterior pocket.
Here’s the optional (and nearly impossible) part. If you so desire, try embroidering the Trader Joe’s logo in a different color than your colored canvas fabric onto the blank center of the other side of the bag. You can put a different logo or even your name to customize your tote a bit more to match your personal style.
On each side of the bag, sew a long strip of the colored fabric onto the bag’s facade, framing either the exterior pocket or the logo embroidery. This is your bag strap.
Place the two parts of the tote together outside facing inwards, and sew them together. This placing is so that the stitching is on the inside of the bag. Ta da! All done!
What should I know when making my Trader Joe’s mini tote?
Make sure to hem the edges of the bag and iron between sewing pieces to make everything stay flat and clean. If this is your first time sewing, it is a good idea to watch a couple of YouTube sewing tutorials, just to give yourself a sense of what to expect.
When you complete your bag, you’ll have your very own Trader Joe’s mini tote that is cute, functional, personalized, and the fruit of your hard work. Without breaking the bank, you now have something that others will definitely envy.