Sewing
Bag & Pouch Patterns
Free bag sewing patterns: lined totes, zipper pouches and drawstring bags, each with a cutting list in inches and centimetres, the fabric to buy and the finished size worked out from the cut pieces.
Easy Zipper Pouch Free Sewing Pattern (Lined, Phone-Sized)
Lined Tote Bag Free Sewing Pattern (With Boxed Corners)
About this collection
The best first project. A bag is the most forgiving thing you can sew. Every piece is a rectangle, the seams are straight, and a small wobble disappears once the bag is full of shopping. The lined tote teaches boxed corners and straps; the zipper pouch is the easiest way to lose your fear of zips.
Choosing fabric. For the outside, use cotton canvas, duck, denim or a home-decor weight cotton. For the lining, ordinary quilting cotton is perfect. If you want a bag that stands up on its own, fuse a medium-weight interfacing to the outer pieces before you sew.
Straps that don’t dig in. Fold strap strips in quarters and topstitch both edges; a 1 inch strap at 26 inches long sits nicely on the shoulder. Sew straps on with a box and an X so they hold a full load.
Gift bags count too. The drawstring gift bags use French seams, so they look as tidy inside as out and can be reused every Christmas. Looking for more beginner projects? Try the Sewing Tips & Basics collection.
Questions about bags & pouches
What is the best fabric for a tote bag?
Cotton canvas, duck cloth, denim or a home-decor weight cotton for the outside, and quilting cotton for the lining. Add fusible interfacing if you want it to stand up on its own.
How long should tote bag straps be?
For a shoulder tote, cut straps about 26 in (66 cm) long; for a hand-held bag, about 20 in (51 cm). Add 1 in at each end for stitching them in.
How do I make boxed corners on a bag?
Cut a square from each bottom corner that is half the depth you want, open the corner, match the side seam to the bottom seam and sew straight across.
How do I sew a zipper pouch without the ends looking messy?
Use a zipper longer than the pouch, open it halfway before sewing the sides, and trim the extra zipper off after turning. Fabric zipper tabs on the ends make it look neat.
