The Infinity Tie-Strap Tote Bag PDF sewing pattern comes in 4 sizes to fit everyone. Doll, Small (Child), Medium (Teen), and Large. Each pattern is available on it’s on or you can get a bundle of all 4 sizes. The age in the brackets ( ) is the size for this purse pattern to be cross body, but it also works great as a shoulder bag. The small size is large shoulder bag for teens and a smaller shoulder bag for adults. If you are making a tote for your child make it in the largest size that works for them now, and then as they grow it’ll still fit, just in different ways.
Large & Medium Sizes
The Medium and Large sizes are great for large and average adults, petite adults, and teens. The large has an oversized look on teens that they will grow into. Or it allows for carrying bulky light things, like your coat after it warms up for the day. I use the large size bag for day trips to the museum or outings to the park. I can put my full size water bottle in there, plus snacks. It’s less bulky than a backpack, but still easily holds all that extra stuff you are handed or need. It’s not quite large enough for a trip to the splash pad with all the towels, etc, but it is plenty big for most other excursions. I made a slightly modified one for my friend to take on her France trip. It held everything she needed for a day out with her tour group.
On the Large and Medium, the strap will fit most people comfortably. I am a size 26W US and 5’8” tall. I can comfortably wear it cross-body if it’s tied at the very end. When I make a bag for myself, I add 6”+ to my strap pattern so it ties in a pretty way.
The medium bag is also great for petite people who want a tote, but not to be overwhelmed by the size.
Large Vs. Small
As a cross-body bag, the small is a bit snug on this 14 year old, but in the second picture you can see that is perfect as a shoulder bag now. This bag pattern is perfect to grow with your kids.
The Small Tote
In this progression of photos you can see that the small tote changes from a cross body bag to a shoulder bag as kids grow from 3 to 16 years old. The small bag is perfect for library trips. Everyone has their own bag and gets to carry their books. We store them on loops by the door, so books go back in when they are read, and it’s easy to take them back to the library.
Doll Size
The Doll Size tote bag is the scale of the large “mom bag” on an 18” American Girl/Madame Alexander Doll. On the 16” Disney Animator Dolls, the scale is a bit larger like a market tote. Beyond dolls it also fits many stuffed animals. My kids also like this size bag for small “treasures” and rock collecting. You can also easily add or remove length from the strap to customize it. #1009 18” Dolls+ Size
The Adjustable Tie Strap
One of the great thing about the DIY Infinity Tie-Strap tote, is that you can tie it any way you want to make it the perfect length every time. Purse length, cross body length, in a bow, or my favorite, a slipknot. My favorite is two slipknots, which makes it so the strap can be adjusted very quickly when you want to change from purse to cross body and back. Sometimes my kids need breaks from their tote bags. Two slipknots makes it easy for me to turn their bag into a shoulder purse for me, which was a cross body on them.
Here is a handy diagram for how to tie a slip knot. It just shows one strap end to make it less confusing, but you are going to tie it around the other strap.
Video Tutorial
This video show you how to do the double slip-knot tie. It also includes information about the four sizes, Doll, Small (Child), Medium (Teen), and Large.
Want to make one? Watch the video tutorial.
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