Sewing the All The Things Tote: Pattern Review, What To Expect, + Tips & Tricks

If you sew, you probably know the biggest quest of all, finding the perfect tote bag pattern. Not too floppy, not weirdly tiny, not so complicated that you question all of your life choices halfway through.

I’ve been wanting a good hobby tote for a while. Something big enough to actually hold my collection of couch hobbies (current reads, snacks, coloring supplies, crochet projects, and so much more) but still structured enough that it doesn’t collapse into a sad little fabric puddle.

So I decided to try the All The Things Tote pattern by Knots and Thread. And honestly? The name is accurate because this bag really can hold… all the things! I currently have two 600+ page books, 1 word search book, 1 murdle puzzle book, 6 coloring books, 1 pack of alcohol markers, 1 bag of acrylic markers, my kindle, and a few snacks all spaciously tucked inside my medium sized tote!

I just finished sewing mine, so here’s my full review of the pattern, how the process went, what I loved, and what I might tweak next time.

First, let’s talk about the pattern itself.

The All The Things Tote is designed to be a roomy, structured tote with exterior pockets and a boxed bottom so it can stand up on its own. I’m always drawn to bags that feel practical and sturdy, and this one definitely checks those boxes. The pattern also includes instructions for interfacing, which helps give the bag that nice structured shape instead of the floppy tote situation that sometimes happens with fabric bags.

Right away I liked that the design felt simple but functional. It’s the kind of bag that works for everyday use whether you’re carrying books, craft supplies, a knitting project, or the random collection of items that somehow ends up in every bag. I would also highly recommend this bag for the mom on the go. I wish I had this back when I had diapers, bottles, toys, and so many other things stuffed into 2-3 bags I had to take with me when leaving the house.

For my version of the tote, I picked fabrics that I thought would work well for both durability and style.

For the outer and lining fabric I used cotton prints I purchased at Hobby Lobby. I paired them together because I liked the contrast and wanted something that felt fun and girly (but lets not talk about how I noticed I sewed them side ways weeks after I finished the bag..). Since the tote has pretty large panels, the fabric you choose really gets to shine, which is always a nice bonus when you find a print you love.

I also used interfacing to give the bag structure. The pattern recommends ByAnnie’s soft and stable, but for the sake of using what I already had on hand I believe I used Pellon 911 (I don’t have a label or the receipt to confirm.) I would like to try the recommended interfacing the next time I try this pattern!

Lastly, I want to take a moment to really hammer it into your head, read the full pattern BEFORE you do anything! The pattern itself literally says this and I just blatantly ignored this suggestion which caused me to miss that for the medium and large size I would need to purchase a base stabilizer to give more structure to the bottom of my bag. *Insert face palm here* I do wish that this information on supplies was given at the very top of the pattern instead of the bottom, but again, I should have read the entire pattern before doing anything. I will say, since my bag just sits on the couch for my hobbies the fact that it doesn’t have a bottom stabilizer hasn’t been an issue. I would definitely want this though if I were carrying this bag around daily.

Now let’s talk about the actual sewing process.

Overall, I would rate this pattern as confident beginner to intermediate sewing level. If you’ve sewn a few projects before and you’re comfortable following pattern instructions, you should be able to handle this one without too much trouble.

The instructions are clear and organized, which I really appreciate in a pattern. There’s nothing worse than trying to decipher vague sewing directions and wondering if you accidentally skipped an entire step somewhere.

That being said, there are a few parts that might slow down a brand new sewist. Sewing through thicker layers with interfacing can take a bit of patience depending on your machine. Working with bias tape can be tricky too. This was actually my first time doing so and I have to say the instructions were so clear that I didn’t feel thrown off by this!

But none of these steps felt overwhelming. It was more of a “take your time and trust the process” kind of project.

And the best part is that once it starts coming together, it’s really satisfying to see the tote take shape. I can’t tell you how many times I stopped to post my progress on my IG stories or ran to find my husband and show him my pocket I just made!

There were a few things I especially loved about this pattern.

First, the size. I chose to do the medium size and it’s roomy without feeling like you’re carrying a giant beach bag around. It’s big enough to hold books, projects, or everyday items without looking oversized. I could imagine the large would be really great as a project bag considering everything I currently have just in my medium tote.

Second, the instructions themselves. They’re straightforward and easy to follow, which makes the whole sewing experience much more enjoyable. There were no crying fits in the making of this bag.

Of course, no pattern review is complete without a little honesty, so here are a couple things I might change if I make this tote again.

The first thing is pockets. The pattern includes exterior pockets, which is great, but I am apparently someone who always wants more pockets than any bag provides. If I make another one, I’ll probably add extra interior pockets, especially one with an elastic that I could fit my water bottle into for an every day or work version of this bag. I would also like to look into more decorative webbing to use for the handles next time around.

I might also experiment with a heavier outer fabric next time, like canvas, just to give the bag even more structure. The fabric I used worked well, but I think a sturdier outer fabric could make the tote feel even more durable for everyday use. And of course I’d add the stabilizer I should have had the first time around.

Overall though, I really enjoyed sewing this pattern!

The All The Things Tote is practical, customizable, and beginner-friendly as long as you’re willing to take your time with a few of the steps. The finished bag feels sturdy, useful, and honestly just really satisfying to carry around knowing you made it yourself.

Would I make this pattern again? Definitely. It’s the kind of tote that would make a great everyday bag, a project bag, or even a handmade gift. Which btw, if you’re reading this and we know each other in real life, you’re most likely getting this bag for Christmas lol!

And the best part is that every version can look completely different depending on the fabric choices and hacks you choose which makes it a really fun pattern to play around with.

If you’re looking for a tote pattern that’s functional, well-written, and actually useful once it’s finished, this one is definitely worth trying.

Now excuse me while I figure out what other fabrics I can justify turning into another tote!

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