Make Your Own Puffer Tote Bag: Easy, Quilted, Cute!

In this post, you will learn how to sew a trendy quilted puffer tote bag.

Looking for a cute, comfy, and beginner-friendly project? Let me show you how to sew a puffer tote bag—one that’s not only super soft and stylish but also practical enough to carry all the things. This large quilted tote is puffed, pillowy, and features a sweet bow-tie closure and long handles that make it perfect for everyday errands, library runs, or even a cozy weekend getaway.

The best part? It’s a recycled sewing project—I used a secondhand shirt to make mine, and you can too! With my free template, step-by-step instructions, and a full video tutorial for visual learners, this easy sewing pattern is great for advanced beginners looking to try something fun and satisfying. Let’s turn that old shirt into your new favorite bag!

🧸 What Is a Puffer Tote Bag?

A puffer tote bag is a soft, quilted handbag that’s stylish, comfy, and surprisingly practical. Think of it like your favorite puffer jacket — but in bag form! It’s made with layers of fabric and batting or fiberfill, which are sewn together to create that signature puffy, cushioned look.

This kind of tote is:

• Lightweight but roomy — perfect for daily use, errands, or even as a diaper or gym bag
• Trendy and modern — with a cozy, cloud-like aesthetic
• Beginner-friendly to sew — especially when you follow a step-by-step tutorial like this one
• Eco-friendly when made from recycled materials like old shirts (just like in this project!)

The version in this tutorial features long handles, a cute bow tie closure, and plenty of space for your essentials — making it both functional and adorable. Once you try sewing one, you might just want to make more in different colors!

🧵 Materials & Tools for Sewing a Puffer Tote Bag

🧶 Materials

Material	Quantity Needed	Purpose
Recycled Shirt or Cotton Fabric	1 large men’s shirt or ½ yard	For the outer quilted bag body
Lining Fabric	½ yard	For clean interior finish
Batting or Fiberfill	Small bag (about 100g fiberfill or ½ yard batting)	For the soft puffy texture
Matching Thread	1 spool	For all stitching
Fusible Interfacing (optional)	¼ yard	Extra structure (optional for lightweight fabrics)

More on Fiberfill :

🧰 Tools

Tools	Purpose	Link
Sewing Machine	For all main stitching (straight stitch works best)	Sewing machines for making bags.
Fabric Scissors or Rotary Cutter	For cutting fabric and batting	Learn more on using scissors
Pins or Sewing Clips	To hold layers in place while sewing	Sewing clips how to use them right.
Measuring Tape or Ruler	For accurate cutting and strap placement	Best Tools for Beginner Sewists
Iron and Ironing board	To press seams, fold straps, and finish pieces cleanly
Hand Sewing Needle	For closing the lining gap and finishing touches	Choose right needle here.
Turning Tool or Chopstick	To turn straps and bow ties right side out	How to Use a Loop Turner

You will also need a magnetic seam guide or a magnet to help you sew evenly.

Free Template For A Puffer Tote Bag

How to Sew a Puffer Tote Bag Step by Step

📏 Cutting the Fabric for Your Puffer Tote Bag

This quilted puffer tote bag is made from squares and rectangles, making it beginner-friendly but visually stylish.

Quilted Squares (Front & Back)

• Main Fabric: Cut 8 squares, 20cm x 20cm each
• Back Fabric (inside of quilted layers): Cut 8 squares, 20cm x 20cm each

Side & Bottom Panels

• Main Fabric: Cut 6 rectangles, 14cm x 20cm each
• Back Fabric: Cut 6 rectangles, 14cm x 20cm each

Lining Pieces

• Front and Back Panels: 2 pieces, 40cm x 40cm
• Side and Bottom Panels: 3 pieces, 14cm x 20cm

Straps & Bow Tie Closures

• Hand Straps: 2 pieces, 32cm x 8cm
• Shoulder Strap: 1 piece, 78cm x 8cm
• Bow Ties: 2 pieces, 32cm x 4cm

🪡 How to Sew the Quilted Panels

Each panel of your puffer tote bag is made by quilting two fabric layers and adding stuffing for that signature puff!

• Layer one square of the main fabric over a back fabric square, right sides facing out.
• Sew around all four sides with a straight stitch, leaving a 4cm gap.
• Stuff the panel with fiberfill through the gap.

• Close the gap by topstitching it shut.

➡️ Repeat this for all 8 squares and all 6 rectangles.

🧩 Assemble the Front and Back Panels

To make the front and back of the puffer tote bag:

• Join 2 quilted squares side by side.

• Make two pairs, then sew the pairs together to create a 4-square panel.

• You’ll now have two large quilted panels—one for the front, one for the back.

🧱 Build the Side and Bottom Panel Strip

• Sew , stuff and close the side and bottom rectangles to create panel strip.

• Lay out your 3 quilted rectangles in a row: side – bottom – side.
• Pin right sides together and sew each short edge to the bottom piece.
• Gently press seams open.

🧵 Pro Tip: Mark the center of the bottom rectangle and match it with the center of your front and back panels to keep your tote aligned.

🧵 Assemble the Sides and Bottom Into a One-Piece Panel

After you’ve quilted, stuffed, and sewn shut the padded rectangles (used for the sides and bottom of the puffer tote bag), it’s time to join them into a single continuous strip. This step is key to shaping the tote bag’s body and ensuring the panels align properly when attaching the front and back.

✅ Step-by-Step:

• Lay Out the Pieces: Arrange the three quilted rectangles in a straight row: side – bottom – side.
• Right Sides Together: Pin the short edge of one side rectangle to a short edge of the bottom rectangle, right sides facing.
• Sew and Press: Stitch with a straight line. Repeat on the other side. Press seams open using fingers or a low-heat iron (check fabric compatibility).
• U-Shape Strip Formed: You now have a U-shaped strip that wraps around your front and back panels.

🔎 Cool Tip: Mark the center of the bottom rectangle and the front/back panels. Matching midpoints keeps the bag symmetrical and prevents a lopsided result.

🧵 Constructing the Quilted Puffer Bag Body

Assembling the Bag: Sewing the Front, Back & Long Strip Together

Once your long strip (side – bottom – side) is prepped, it’s time to attach it to the quilted front and back panels. This is when your DIY puffer tote bag starts taking shape!

🧷 You Should Have:

• 1 quilted front panel
• 1 quilted back panel
• 1 long quilted U-shaped strip

Together, these pieces form the padded, structured outer body of your quilted tote bag.

🧷 Attaching the Long Strip to the Front Panel

• Start Pinning: Place the front panel right side up. Pin the long strip around its edges, starting at one bottom corner.
• Align Each Side:
  • One short end of the strip = one side of the front panel
  • Long middle = bottom edge
  • Other short end = opposite side
• Pin Corners Gently: To ease turns, clip seam allowances slightly (don’t cut through stitches).
• Sew in Place: Stitch around the full edge. Pivot at each corner for clean 90° angles.

🧷 Attaching the Back Panel

• Repeat the Steps: Lay the back panel right sides together with the strip.
• Pin Carefully: Pin around the full edge. Align corners and sides.
• Sew All Around: Stitch slowly for neat, squared edges.

👜 Result: The outer bag bodice is fully formed — padded, boxy, and structured!

🪡 Pro Tip: Use a walking foot on thick, padded fabric. It feeds layers evenly and prevents slipping.

🧵 Sewing the Lining for Your Quilted Puffer Tote Bag

Why Add a Lining?

The lining hides seams, boosts durability, and gives your bag a clean, professional interior.

✂️ Lining Pieces You Need:

• 2 Panels (front & back): 40 cm × 40 cm
• 3 Panels (sides & bottom): 20 cm × 14 cm each

These pieces match the outer dimensions — but skip the padding and quilting.

🧷 Assembling the Lining:

• Sew Panels: Attach side pieces to front/back lining panels.
• Add Bottom Panel: Sew it to the assembled piece to form a lining box.
• Leave a Gap: Don’t forget to leave a small opening at the bottom for turning the bag later.

🧵 Tip: Press lining seams open for less bulk and neater results.

🧵 Making the Straps and Bow Ties

✂️ How to Make the Straps

• Fold each strap piece lengthwise, right sides together
• Sew along the long edge
• Turn right side out and press

➡️ Repeat this process for the shoulder strap

Learn here how to make perfect straps.

✂️ How to Make the Bow Ties

• Fold, sew, and turn each tie piece as above
• Press and tie into bows

🧷 Pro Tip: Topstitch straps for strength and a polished finish.

🧵 Assembling the Finished Puffer Tote Bag

Final Steps:

Attach Straps & Bow Ties: Pin all handles and bows in place on the outer bag body.

Join Lining & Exterior: Insert the lining into the bag (right sides together). Ensure straps and bows are sandwiched inside.

Sew the Top Edge: Stitch all the way around.

Turn the Bag: Use the lining gap to turn the bag right side out.

Close the Gap: Sew the lining opening shut (ladder stitch works best).

Topstitch Upper Edge: Push lining inside and topstitch the top edge for a neat, finished look.

✅ Your Puffy, Quilted Tote Bag is Complete!

You just made a soft, stylish, and eco-friendly puffer tote bag—perfect for daily use or gift-giving! Not only does it feel amazing to carry, but it’s also practical, roomy, and totally one-of-a-kind.

🎁 Bonus: Make a Cute Soft Toy Accessory for Your Puffer Tote Bag!

As an extra fun project, you can also sew a sweet soft toy to match your new puffer tote bag! This adorable bunny soft toy is a perfect accessory to add a bit of charm to your bag or gift it alongside your handmade creation. Plus you have there free pdf pattern for this puffy toy.

You can find the full tutorial for this cute bunny here.

It’s a quick and easy project that’s beginner-friendly, just like the tote bag, and it’s sure to bring a smile to anyone who sees it!

🎥 Watch the Full Puffer Tote Bag Sewing Tutorial on YouTube

For a complete, step-by-step visual guide on making your own puffer tote bag, be sure to check out my YouTube channel! I’ll walk you through every stage of the process — from quilting and stuffing to sewing the straps and bow ties — with plenty of helpful tips to make your bag look cute, comfy, and professional.

You can watch the full video tutorial here.

Make sure to give a thumbs up, leave a comment, and hit that subscribe button on my channel to get more sewing tutorials. Don’t forget to share your results with me on Instagram or Facebook. I’m really excited to see what you come up with!

Styling Your Puffer Tote Bag

Your DIY puffer tote bag can be styled in many ways depending on the look you’re going for:

Casual Sporty:

Pair your tote with a hoodie, leggings, and sneakers for a comfy, athletic vibe. Opt for neutral colors or bold, sporty prints like stripes or camouflage for this style.

Chic Minimalist:

Wear your tote with a sleek trench coat and fitted pants for a stylish, monochrome look. Choose solid colors like black, gray, or beige in your fabric for a sophisticated appearance.

Boho:

Combine your puffer tote with a flowy dress or denim jacket and ankle boots. Floral prints, earthy tones, or patchwork fabric will give the bag a relaxed boho flair.

Night Out (Casual Glam):

Elevate your bag with a simple black dress and heeled boots. Quilted fabrics in rich colors like deep blue, emerald, or metallics work great for a chic evening look.

Choose fabrics that match your desired vibe—solid colors, florals, plaids, or even a mix of textures like corduroy or velvet will help achieve the style you want!

🎀 Ready to Go with Your Puffer Tote Bag

And that’s it—you’ve just learned how to sew a puffer tote bag that’s cute, functional, and eco-friendly! I hope this tutorial helped you turn scrap fabric or an old shirt into something you’ll actually love using. Whether you’re making it for yourself or as a handmade gift, this oversized quilted tote is sure to become a favorite.

If you sew it, I’d love to see your version—tag me on social media or drop a comment below. Don’t forget to grab the free template and check out the video tutorial if you haven’t already. Happy sewing, and enjoy your new puffy companion!

In this post, you have learned how to sew a stylish puffer tote bag.

Disclaimer: All the patterns that I provide on this blog are for private and personal use only. You are not allowed to sell, distribute, modify, or share these patterns for any commercial or profit purposes. These patterns are my original creations and intellectual property, and I reserve all the rights to them. Please respect my work and do not violate these terms of use. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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