Sewing Pattern Review: August Tote by Bethany Lynne Makes

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I finally made my first handmade tote bag, and I’m hooked.

If you’ve been looking for a versatile and beginner-friendly bag pattern, the August Tote by Bethany Lynne Makes might be your new favorite sew. This roomy tote has the perfect mix of style and function, with plenty of pockets, a secure top zipper, and endless fabric possibilities. In this post, I’m sharing my full August Tote sewing pattern review—including why I chose it, the fabrics I used, fabric suggestions for making your own, and what I’d do differently next time.

Why I Chose the August Tote Sewing Pattern

I’ve wanted to make myself a bag for a while now. I’ve been familiar with Bethany Lynne’s bag patterns since before I started sewing and have admired her simple, timeless designs. They look like something I would happily purchase ready-made, so I knew that one of her bags would probably be the first I would ever sew.

After about a week of debating which one to choose, I decided on the August Tote sewing pattern. It’s a sizeable bag with:

• an outer pocket for easy access,
• a recessed inner zip pocket,
• a large slip pocket divided into two sections
• and a top zipper to keep everything secure

The inside is roomy enough to fit nearly anything you want!

It can be made in a variety of medium to heavyweight fabrics, including canvas and corduroy. Light to mediumweight fabric is recommended for the lining, which makes it a great scrap-busting project.

photo credit: Bethany Lynne Makes

The Fabric I Used for My August Tote

I spent a while browsing various online fabric shops, trying to decide on the perfect material. I originally thought I’d go with a cotton canvas, as it seemed like the simpler option. But after checking out my local fabric shop, I found a brown corduroy that wasn’t too thick and had a lovely soft feel, perfect for the August Tote bag pattern.

For the lining, I decided to use scraps from my stash. I considered the gingham pictured below but ultimately chose a beige striped linen–cotton blend—the same fabric I used for my Esther Set!

Since the corduroy was a bit flimsy, I used a heavyweight fusible interfacing for added stability, ironing it onto the lining and pockets. I also picked up two heavy-duty jean zippers for the inner and outer pockets.

Fabric Ideas for the August Tote Bag Pattern

Here are some great options for the August Tote sewing pattern.

• Medium to heavyweight fabric such as corduroy, bull denim, cotton twill, or canvas are suitable for the outer shell
• you can use cotton or linen scraps, block prints, or quilting cotton for the interior lining

Sewing the August Tote – Step-by-Step Expereince

This was a quick and satisfying sew that only took me a few days! I was initially intimidated by the zippers, but the pattern instructions are well-written and detailed. Bethany even has two blog posts on recessed zipper construction—one using the open-ended method, and one using the enclosed-end method.

Since I shortened my zipper and didn’t want the ends exposed, I went with the enclosed-end method. Sewing zippers had always felt like a “barrier of entry” to bag-making for me, but now I can confidently say they’re much easier than they look!

I love adding labels to my makes, so I stitched a strawberry label onto the inner slip pocket when attaching it to the lining.

There were moments when I was intimidated by the layers of fabric. I worried my older machine wouldn’t handle it, but with a 16/100 needle, I had no issues. For thick areas like the side seams and handles, I followed Bethany’s advice: use a hammer to flatten the layers before sewing. I also used my seam jumper to help the presser foot glide over them.

I enclosed the lining with topstitching rather than an invisible seam—quick and neat!

Tools & Notions I Recommend for the August Tote Pattern

The only thing I purchased for this project was heavyweight interfacing; I had everything else on hand.

You don’t need a fancy sewing machine to make the August Tote by Bethany Lynne Makes, but having the right tools will make a big difference:

• Heavyweight fusible interfacing
• 16/100 denim or leather sewing needles
• Strong polyester thread for durability (trust me—it’ll save you a lot of groaning and eye-rolling 😅)

The Final Make

Once it came together, I immediately started using my handmade August Tote. It’s has so much room that it has quickly become my Mary Poppins everyday bag 😅. I love that the pockets are roomy, allowing me to keep certain items handy when needed. The outer pocket is perfect for easy access to my phone or keys.

I’ve already styled it with my Son de Fleur Classic Dress and plan to use it for every season.

Would I Make It Again?

Absolutely!

I’d love to try it in a canvas or a thicker courduroy as I’m a bit disappointed about how the handles of mine are a bit flimsy. I can imagine all the incredible fabrics I could use for lining. I’d love to try a Fableism Woven or a ditsy floral quilting cotton.

I would also add fusible interfacing to the bottom lining and maybe outer fabric to prevent sagging.

Final Thoughts

The August Tote sewing pattern is advanced beginner-friendly yet satisfying for more advanced sewists. If you’ve been nervous about bag-making or sewing zippers, this pattern is a great confidence builder.

My tips for sewing your own August Tote:

• Take your time – It’s a quick sew, but don’t rush.
• Sew with intention – Since this pattern introduces new skills, sew slowly.
• Just go for it – If thick fabrics, zippers, or linings intimidate you, the best way to learn is to dive right in.

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Pattern + Fabric Details

• Pattern: August Tote by Bethany Lynne Makes
• Outer fabric: Brown corduroy
• Lining fabric: Beige striped linen blend from my stash
• Notions: Heavyweight fusible interfacing, 16/100 needles, zippers

Be sure to check out Bethany’s other beautiful bag patterns!

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If you’re planning to sew your own August Tote by Bethany Lynne Makes, I hope this review helps you choose fabrics, notions, and sewing techniques to make your perfect bag.

More Handmade Makes

coming soon ✨