Sewing a reversible bag is an ideal project for beginners. With our instructions, the pattern, and plenty of tips, you are guaranteed to succeed with your chic fabric bag featuring box pleats!
The most important points at a glance
- In this post, I will show you how to sew a stunning reversible bag.
- You will learn how to sew a box pleat.
- This reversible bag is designed entirely for woven fabrics.
- Subscribers to the "Nähpost" newsletter receive the pattern for the reversible bag for free.
- Sewing level: easy
- Sewing time: 1 afternoon
Sewing bags is simply fun. Our "Blumenknall" bag is no exception: It is wonderfully spacious, nice and sturdy, and leaves you plenty of creative freedom for your ideas. We have also come up with cute details that not only make the bag look enchanting but also suitable for everyday use. And the small inner pocket keeps your phone and wallet safe. The bag is reversible and looks mouth-watering from both sides.
If you feel like it, you can also use our patchwork techniques to sew the bag. This way, you don't just use up your fabric scraps – you even elevate them! 🙂
YouTube video on sewing a reversible bag
How difficult is it to sew a reversible bag?
Perhaps you are unsure whether you will manage to sew the bag with only beginner knowledge. I can truly reassure you: If you stick to the instructions, you will definitely pull it off. Feel free to watch the workflow in the video beforehand; it provides security and self-confidence.
READING TIP: Sewing a bag: My top 25 tips (by the way, we also have a worth-listening podcast on the subject of bags!)
What do I need to know as a beginner if I want to sew a reversible bag?
For this reversible bag, you actually only need basic knowledge. Are you still feeling a bit unsure? Then I recommend my online sewing course, “The SewSimple Sewing License.” In this 2 1/2-hour course, you will learn everything you need to know about materials, machines, and techniques to get started.
If you haven't worked with sturdy fabrics before, you should take a look at my blog post on sewing cotton fabric. In it, you will learn everything you need for working with woven fabrics.
What does my sewing machine need to be able to do to sew a reversible bag?
A simple household sewing machine is absolutely sufficient for this bag project. Equip it with a suitable sewing machine needle, and you can get started right away. Of course, the machine should be able to sew forward and backward. This is important so that you can lock your seams. 🙂
Which stitches are suitable for sewing bags?
Since the reverse sides of the fabrics we use for this bag are all stabilized, it protects the fabric edges from fraying. Therefore, they do not need to be finished. This means you really only need to use the straight stitch.
You can vary the stitch length. I use a stitch length of 2.5 mm for "normal" structural seams. For topstitching, I increase the stitch length to 3.5 mm because it gives the seam a nice, professional look.
Which needle should I use for sewing a reversible bag?
A universal needle is particularly well-suited for woven fabric. You should sew a test seam beforehand to see if the needle produces nice stitches. Otherwise, insert a new needle before you start sewing.
For topstitching, you can also use a topstitching needle; it creates particularly even topstitching.
Reading tip: Everything about sewing machine needles
Which presser feet for sewing a bag?
If the needle position on your sewing machine can be adjusted, set it to a 1 cm seam allowance. If this is not possible with your machine, use a presser foot that you can guide along the edge of the fabric with a 1 cm seam allowance. Alternatively, an edge guide is also fine.
READING TIP: If you would like a little tutoring on the subject of presser feet, my blog post Presser feet and their use is the perfect place for you. 🙂
Where can I find custom labels and tags?
Funny, the first thing I was asked when I was out and about with my bag was: Where did you have those beautiful SewSimple labels made?
I didn't find it easy, because, honestly, I had been looking for a manufacturer that produces in Germany and pays attention to sustainability for a very long time. And I had to experience that the options are quite thin there. Now, by coincidence (the Bla Bla Café show, to which I was recently invited together with Burda, takes place in their building), I stumbled upon a manufacturer in Dortmund.
First, I noticed these beautiful and very diverse labels, of course. And then I read the fine print. And I found that very appealing: Production in Germany, many materials 100% organic. Individual consultation, manufacturing even in very small quantities, and the whole thing is also really affordable. Unfortunately, I just had to snap them up.
What is really great: For various labels that are already pre-punched, there are matching Chicago screws included. So you don't have to search for a long time to find the right thickness or diameter.
Anyway, I ordered a handful of each type right away to keep in stock. It always looks cool, even on blouses, shirt pockets, or jackets.
So, to make a long story short: Really good stuff.
And for people who don't have the nerve to develop their own logo, there are also ready-made label sets that look really cool. I ordered some of those as well. You never know when you might need them, right?
What fabrics can you use to sew the reversible bag?
There are so many incredibly great fabrics from which you can sew bags and shopping totes. That's why I'm giving you a small overview here in the form of a table.
For the "Blumenknall" bag, the vibrant, colorful Blumenknall fabrics from Simone's Etsy shop* are, of course, particularly well-suited. We combine them with solid-colored fabrics from Art Gallery* that go perfectly with them.
| Fabric type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Notes & Tips | Source |
| Canvas | strong, robust weave, practically indestructible | – makes the bag slightly heavier – seam transitions or multiple layers of fabric can be a challenge for the sewing machine (and for beginners) |
– better to process with heavy, sharp scissors – sew with a denim needle or 90 – 100 universal needle |
Order canvas* |
| Cotton poplin | practical all-rounder fabric, robust, easy to work with | – should be stabilized beforehand (Vlieseline H200 or H250), otherwise the bag will be too soft | – process with 70 – 80 universal needle | Order poplin* |
| Kokka fabrics | firm and robust, easy to work with, particularly high-quality and aesthetic | – frays easily – multiple layers of fabric are a challenge for some sewing machines |
– sew with denim needle or 80 – 90 universal needle – does not need to be stabilized |
Order Kokka fabrics* |
| Cotton batiste | fine yet firm fabric that doesn't wrinkle easily | – the reverse side of the fabric should definitely be stabilized beforehand, otherwise the bag will be too soft and lose its shape | – process with heavy, sharp scissors – sew with denim needle or 90 – 100 universal needle |
Order cotton batiste* |
| Coated cotton | water-repellent, wipeable, robust | - can be a challenge for beginners because the presser foot sticks to the material | – process with 70 – 90 universal needle - does not need to be stabilized |
Order coated cotton fabrics* |
| Linen/linen blends | elegant, sustainable, natural, with a beautiful wrinkled look | – fabric edges fray easily – fabric is not as firm and often woven somewhat irregularly |
– stabilizing with Vlieseline reduces fraying of the fabric edges – process with 70 – 90 universal needle |
Order linen* |
| Denim | firm, strong, and robust | – multiple layers of denim are often difficult to sew |
– sew with denim needle or 90 – 100 universal needle – denim thread for topstitching is a good option |
Order denim fabrics* |
| Fine corduroy | beautiful, velvety surface, robust fabric, ages very nicely | – pay attention to the nap/direction when cutting: the nap must feel rough when brushing downwards | – processing with 80 – 90 universal needle | Order corduroy* |
You can sew different parts of the bag, such as the upper bag section or the base, from firm materials like imitation leather or cork fabric. You do not need to additionally stabilize these fabrics beforehand.
Reading tip: Wash fabric before sewing
You can also get more information about the fabrics, the pattern, and variations in the podcast episode about the "Blumenknall" bag.
Where can you find the Blumenknall fabrics?
Simone has the Blumenknall fabrics in two colorways in her shop. They are an in-house production, which means you can only get this design from Simone. Unfortunately, the Blumenknall fabrics always sell out very quickly. That's why we recommend some great alternatives here.
*Canvas BLUMENKNALL RED
Design: Tante Gisi, Gisela Dürr exclusively for Nähcafe am Wasserturm, in-house production
100% cotton (Oeko-Tex Standard)
Width: 1.55 m
Weight: 290 g/m²
Color: sand, beige, pink, orange, red
Background color: gray-beige
*Canvas BLUMENKNALL BLUE Woven Cotton
Design: Tante Gisi, Gisela Dürr exclusively for Nähcafe am Wasserturm, in-house production
100% cotton (Oeko-Tex Standard)
Width: 1.55 m
Weight: 290 g/m²
Color: blue and green tones, pink
Background color: light gray-green
*Canvas "Quitschvergnügt" (Full of Joy)
Design: Tante Gisi, Gisela Dürr exclusively for Nähcafe am Wasserturm, in-house production
100% Cotton (Oeko-Tex Standard)
Width: 1.55 m
Weight: 290 g/m²
Color: Blue, sand, red, and pink tones
Background color: Sand
*Canvas Begonia Maculata
Design: Simone Fuchs-Schulz for Nähcafe am Wasserturm, in-house production
100% Cotton (Oeko-Tex Standard)
Width: 1.55 m
Weight: 290 g/m²
Color: Green, orange, red, cream
Background color: Sage, green
How should I pre-treat the fabric?
There are a few things to keep in mind before you jump into your sewing fun: It is important that you wash the fabric before sewing. Cotton fabrics often bleed slightly during the first wash. This is particularly annoying if you use strongly contrasting fabrics in your bag, where the colors could run into each other during washing.
I also recommend that you iron the dry fabrics thoroughly. This is important so that cutting the fabric works out cleanly. 🙂
How can I personalize the bag?
You can make the "Blumenknall" (Floral Pop) bag even more individual by sewing the upper part out of a solid-colored fabric and then decorating it with topstitching. You can use different decorative stitches, thread colors, or patterns for this.
Of course, you can also embroider the bag with an embroidery machine or by hand. You can also find suitable embroidery templates here at SewSimple.
Another great idea: sew on patterns made of colorful buttons or self-made yo-yos. Feel free to take a look at my tutorial on sewing yo-yo flowers.
If you own a plotter (my plotter and I are currently getting used to each other), then a snazzy plot is also a good thing. It is best to use a durable vinyl foil for your plot so that it survives a few rounds in the washing machine well.
Blumenknall bag fabric requirements
| Material Type | Amount Required |
| Outer fabric (140 cm fabric width) | approx. 70 cm |
| Inner fabric (140 cm fabric width) | approx. 70 cm |
| Vlieseline H200 (100 cm fabric width) | approx. 100 cm |
| Webbing, 3 – 5 cm wide | 2 x 90 cm |
Attention: If you would like to sew only the bag body - without the upper bag edge and side part - in a different fabric color, then 0.50 m of this fabric is completely sufficient. The fabric amount of 70 cm is sufficient for the entire outer bag.
How big is the finished reversible bag?
The Blumenknall bag has a nice, generous cut. You can easily carry DIN A4 folders with wide spines in it.
- Height: 38 cm
- Width: 43 cm
- Depth (bottom-middle): 8 cm
To make it smaller, you can also print the pattern at a smaller percentage, e.g., at 80% or 90%.
How can I close the reversible bag?
So that the closure works from both sides, we have sewn ribbons onto the bag. However, other closure options are also conceivable. You should note, however, that some of them make the reversible bag a "perfectly normal" bag.
- Sew bag with a zipper: then the bag is only usable on one side; you can sew the zipper in as I show in the tutorial for the Portobella cosmetic bag pattern.
- Bag with LOXX fastener: Simone used this version on the blue bag. In a separate tutorial with a video, I show you how to attach a LOXX fastener.
- Close bag with a snap fastener: Snap fasteners, whether punched in or simply sewn on as a magnetic version, are a great way to close the bag. In a detailed tutorial, I show you how to attach snap fasteners.
Reading tip: Everything about bag fasteners
Reversible bag pattern free
You can download the pattern for the Blumenknall reversible bag for free in our freebook section.
Sharing the pattern is prohibited, as is commercial use.
Print the pattern at 100% without page scaling. The printer should be set to "Print document and all markups" so that the labeling is also transferred to the pattern pieces.
A seam allowance of 1 cm is already included in the pattern.
How can I get the free pattern?
Would you like to sew the Blumenknall bag? Great! To access this and over 100 other exclusive freebooks and free patterns, it is best to proceed as follows:
- Sign up for the SewSimple newsletter
- Click the newsletter registration in the confirmation email: Yes, I want to...
- After receiving the SewSimple welcome email, you are officially a sewing post subscriber
- Create a customer account with the same email address
- Log in
- Click the download link or go to the pattern via the freebook section of your customer account.
It might also help to clear your cookies and cache, use a different browser or Incognito mode, or use a different device. It often works on a PC or laptop if it doesn't work on your phone.
It is also always a good idea to check if your browser is up to date or if your browser settings are preventing a download. :)
- Please understand that I cannot send the pattern via email. Unfortunately, I cannot answer requests for this. It is all the more important that you follow the instructions above for the download correctly.
- For questions about your customer account, be sure to take a look at the FAQs!
- If the freebook section is not displayed on mobile, it helps to access the page on a PC. You can also swipe left in the mobile view and you will see the download link. 🙂
- If you have received the newsletter before but forgot to confirm receipt (this can happen for technical reasons), it helps to unsubscribe using the "Unsubscribe link" at the bottom of the newsletter, register again, and then confirm receipt.
Sewing the Blumenknall reversible bag: Required accessories
- matching sewing thread*
- possibly label*
- suitable sewing machine needle
- pins*
- fabric clips*
- ruler*
- possibly corner & edge shaper* for shaping bag corners
- fabric marker*
- fabric scissors*
- thread snips*
- sewing machine
Instructions for sewing a reversible bag
Now you are well-equipped and can start sewing. Here are the picture instructions for the Blumenknall reversible bag. Reinforce the fabrics with an interfacing of your choice before cutting. Important: the choice of reinforcement defines the character of your new bag. Here are a few examples
- For a light bag: Vlieseline H200*
- For more stability: Vlieseline S320*
- For more volume: Style Vil Fix*
Reading tip: Interfacing, stabilizer, fleece and their use
Fabric cuts for the outside
- 2 x bag part 1
- 2 x bag part 2
- 1 x bottom on the fold
- Loop: 2 x 4 x 30 cm (unreinforced)
- 2 x 90 cm webbing
Fabric cuts for the inner bag
- 2 x bag part 1
- 2 x bag part 2
- 1 x bottom on the fold
Optional: Inner pocket:
2 x bag part 3
Preparing inner bag
Pin the two pattern pieces for the inner bag together along the two long and one short side, right sides facing each other.
Turn the inner bag inside out, trim the seam allowances in the corners diagonally.
Shape the seams well and iron them.
Mark a distance of 8 cm from the top (open) edge.
Fold the closed short edge toward the marking.
Edgestitch the sides of the upward-folded bag section to the back piece.
The inner bag is now prepared.
Now you need the pattern pieces for the outer side.
Transfer the markings from the pattern onto the fabric.
Fold the top fabric edge at the markings for the pleats from both sides toward the center in the direction of the arrows and pin everything firmly in place.
The folds of the pleats should meet exactly.
At the top edge, all layers of fabric should be flush with one another.
Mark a distance of 8 cm on both sides of the center at the top edge of the bag.
Pin the webbing to the bag edge at a distance of 8 cm from the center.
Stitch the webbing in place with a straight stitch within the seam allowance.
Pin bag section 2 flush to the top edge of the bag.
Sew bag section 2 to bag section 1 with a straight stitch and a seam allowance of 1 cm.
Fold the seam allowance toward the top edge of the bag and edgestitch it in place.
Secure the upward-folded webbing while doing this.
Optionally, you can also decorate the top bag section (in yellow here) with a few pretty topstitching lines.
Sew the second bag section the same way.
If you like, you can sew on a label now. I had mine made in different versions at Dortex*. Really beautiful, right? This one is made of cactus leather. So, vegan.
I prepare my labels like this, for example:
- Reinforce the fabric
- Sew the label on with a straight stitch
- Mark a 0.5 cm distance to the label
- Iron the fabric over at the marking
- Pin everything at the planned position and sew it on with a straight stitch
Now you need the bag base. If your fabric is wide enough, you can cut it on the fold.
If not, cut it with a 2 cm seam allowance on the wide ends, then stitch the wide edges together with a straight stitch.
Press the seam allowances open and stitch them to the outer fabric on the left and right of the seam.
Pin the bag base flush to the edge of the first bag section.
My tip: Feel free to use a few more pins on the curves so everything sits perfectly.
Sew the bag base to the bag section with a straight stitch and a 1 cm seam allowance.
Pin the second bag section right sides together to the bag base and sew it on as well.
Trim the seam allowance slightly in the curved areas.
This will make it easier to shape the curves later.
Sewing ribbon ties
Fold the long sides of the ribbon ties inward double. Fold one of the short sides inward by 1 cm.
Stitch the ribbon ties together using a straight stitch.
Secure the open edges of the ribbon ties by centering them on the top edge of the bag using a straight stitch within the seam allowance.
Prepare the inside in the same way. The only change:
Sew the prepared inside pocket to the top fabric edge, 3 cm from the center.
And the inside pocket doesn't have any ribbon ties. :)
Now sew bag part 2 exactly as you did for the outside of the bag.
Turn one of the bags right-side out and place it inside the second bag, right sides together.
The bags should align perfectly at the center and the side seams.
Sew the two bags together flush along the top edge. Leave an opening for turning of approx. 12 cm on one of the sections between the side seam and the ribbon.
Tip: If you remove the accessory box from your sewing machine, you can guide the bag over the free arm.
Turn the bag through the opening.
Place the inside bag into the outside bag.
Shape the top edge of the bag well and iron it.
While doing so, iron the seam allowance of the turning opening 1 cm inward and pin it together.
Iron the top edge of the bag so that the seam lies exactly on the edge.
Topstitch the top edge of the bag closely, closing the opening for turning in the process.
Tip: If you like, you can also stitch the webbing straps onto the top bag section.
Your beautiful new bag is finished! :)
Conclusion: Sewing a reversible bag makes you happy!
What fun! Our "Blumenknall" bag not only looks fantastic, but it's also a lot of fun to sew because you get a quick sense of achievement. And let's be honest: we all need that from time to time, right? So grab the prettiest fabric you can find and sew yourself a "Blumenknall" bag (or two, or three?!).
Happy simple sewing, your Sabine
Comments
Comments are loading …