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Sewing Tutorial: How to sew a fold-up bag | Double Shopper

24.10.2017 by Sabine Schmidt

Nähanleitung: Klapptasche nähen | Doppel-Shopper

What do I need for that?

Folding bag double shopper

Freebook · PDF
To the sewing pattern →

Time expenditure: 1 afternoon

Materials & Details

D-rings, 25 mm^*

Machine:: Backstitch functionStraight stitch
Iron-on patch:: Vlieseline H250

further information

Needle:: Universal needle^*
Yarn:: All-purpose sewing thread^*

Home decor fabrics are fabrics intended mainly for home decoration – anything that should look beautiful and be a little hard-wearing. They're usually woven a little more firmly than dress fabrics and therefore keep their shape nicely.

Depending on the type, home decor fabrics can be lightweight or really sturdy. They often have great patterns, textures or colours that instantly catch the eye.

They're usually straightforward to sew because they keep their shape well and are easy to work neatly. Perfect for sewing projects where a lot of stretch isn't needed.

Home decor fabrics are ideal for cushions, curtains, tablecloths, chair covers or bags.

In short: stable, decorative and perfect for everything that makes your home more beautiful.

Woven cotton

Machine:: Overlock seamBackstitch functionStraight stitch
Iron-on patch:: Vlieseline H630

further information

Needle:: Universal needle^*

Woven cotton is a classic, non-stretch cotton fabric. It's comfortable to wear, relatively lightweight and at the same time nicely stable.

The surface is usually smooth or slightly matte and feels natural and soft. Depending on the quality, it can be thinner for light clothing or a little firmer for sturdier projects.

Woven cotton is really easy to sew: it hardly slips, is easy to cut and is great for beginners too.

It's perfect for blouses, shirts, dresses, skirts or for decor such as cushions, pouches and patchwork.

In short: simple, versatile and a true all-rounder for lots of sewing ideas

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Sewing a foldover bag - it's much easier than you think! With my simple downloadable step-by-step guide, even beginners can do it with ease!

Sewing pattern for a foldover bag aka. double shopper

Do you also love being able to sew your bags whenever you feel like it? I think a little variety can't hurt when choosing a bag. The foldover bag is a kind of foldover - only in reverse. ;)

Foldover bags are so cool! And especially on trend. Why not just sew one yourself! It's so easy!

You can sew our foldover bag beautifully out of cotton, but also out of coated fabric. If you don't have a coated favorite fabric on hand, do like me and just coat it yourself!

This time I came up with a particularly funny bag:
A foldover bag with 4 zipper pockets, which also looks phenomenally good and is up for all decoration ideas.

Four zippers!?

That sounds sporty at first, but it's very easy to do. I know that many sewing fans shrink back a bit from the topic of zippers. But especially with this bag, the zippers are really easy to sew in.

And it's super fun to sew the foldover bag, because it's just so clever:
Each bag is a compartment in itself, so the foldover bag has 4 individual pockets.

With the foldover bag, I once again sewed the brilliant metallized plastic zippers.

You already know the zippers from many other blog posts and sewing projects. Because I like them so much, I wrote a review about them.

You can order the zippers in Simone's Etsy Shop.^*

How big is the foldover bag?

Unfolded, it is 24.5 * 38 centimeters large.
Folded, its dimensions are 24.5 * 19 centimeters.

How is the foldover bag worn?

The bag in the pattern has loops with D-rings in the side seams. This way I can wear it as a cross-body bag. If you want to wear the foldover bag as a shoulder bag, you should place the loops in the zipper seam.

How are the zippers placed in the zipper seam?

Before you sew the zippers in at the ends, you sew the loop with the D-ring with a short auxiliary seam close to the edge. And offset: One loop lies on the right, the other on the left, each 1.5 centimeters from the side fabric edge. This way the bag is nicely balanced.
When you then sew the zippers in, the loop is enclosed once more.

What fabrics can the foldover bag be sewn from?

Cotton, canvas, linen, denim or corduroy are very suitable. But PVC or coated cotton are also great!
If you like the bag to be a bit more voluminous, you can also use a special bag fabric.

I found this wonderful Vespa fabric from Birch Fabrics, which I will try out for the bag next time:

Required materials for the foldover bag

For the outside

28 * 38 cm outer fabric,^* reinforced with H 250 interfacing

For the inside

28 * 38 cm lining fabric, reinforced with H 250 interfacing

For the inside zipper pockets

26 * 28 cm lining fabric^*

For the lining of the outside zipper pockets

2 fabric cutouts from lining fabric,^* each 28 * 38 cm

For the loops

2 fabric cutouts of 7 * 10 cm each

In addition

4 pieces of endless zipper^*, each 30 cm long
2 25 mm D-rings^*
2 25 mm carabiners^*
1 25 mm strap slider^*
150 cm 25 mm webbing^*
2 sew-on magnetic snaps^*
optional: piping for edging the webbing
optional: decoration

It is a good idea to read through the pattern once thoroughly before you start sewing.

If you have any questions or suggestions, you can write me an email anytime at: hilfe@sewsimple.de
I am happy to help you!

And now I wish you a lot of fun sewing!

Happy simple sewing,
your Sabine