How to Sew a Tissue Tote with Your Serger (A Quick Beginner Project)

Need a fast win at your serger—something useful, cute, and not a multi-day commitment? In this Serging With the Girlfriends tutorial, Cheri shows how to stitch up a simple tissue tote on a serger. It’s the kind of project that’s practical and secretly a great skills-builder (straight seams, tidy edges, and that “oh wow, I made this” feeling).

Why a tissue tote is a perfect “practice project”

This is a beginner-friendly make because it lets you practice the core serger habits you’ll use over and over:

• keeping an even seam allowance

• guiding fabric smoothly (no pulling—just steering)

• finishing edges in one pass

• building confidence with a small, low-pressure project

What you’ll need

Exact sizes depend on the tissues you want to carry (travel pack vs. small box), but the supply list is simple:

• Fabric: (3) 5-3/4" x 4" pieces & (2) 4" x 4" squares

• A travel pack size of tissues

• Serger thread

• Clips or pins (clips are especially handy with a serger)

• Basic cutting tools + ruler

Watch our video tutorial

This is one of those tutorials where seeing the fabric handling makes everything click quickly. Watch Cheri set up and stitch the tissue tote in our video, then follow along with your own fabric as you go!

Tips for best results

• Test on a scrap first. Even if you’re using a standard stitch, a quick test helps you confirm your seam looks balanced and your fabric feeds smoothly.

• Let the serger feed the fabric. If the fabric stretches or waves, lighten your grip and guide more gently.

• Pressing matters. A quick press at key steps makes this look far more “finished” with very little extra effort.

Come hang out in our Serger-Obsessed Corner of the Internet

If you want serger tips, troubleshooting help, settings chats, project inspo, and that “oh good, it’s not just me” feeling—join our private Facebook group all about sergers!

Ready to bring home a serger (or upgrade)?

At My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe, we know a serger is the secret to professional-looking seams, flawless finishes, and stretch-friendly stitches. That’s why we carry trusted brands like Brother and Baby Lock, offering everything from beginner-friendly models to advanced sergers with cover stitch options. Whether you’re sewing garments, home décor, or quilting accents, we’ll help you choose the serger that takes your stitching to the next level.

You can shop sergers right on our website—beginner-friendly options all the way up to feature-packed dream machines.