Sew a Furoshiki bag: So beautifully simple!

Sew a Furoshiki bag: This simple, beautiful bag will make every sewing fan's heart beat faster! The pattern and picture tutorial are available for download.

The most important things at a glance

• Traditionally, a Furoshiki is an artfully folded cloth used in Japan to transport just about anything, from groceries and books to textiles
• The Furoshiki bag is not only a beautiful eye-catcher, it is also super practical for daily use
• The beautiful bag is particularly great as gift packaging, an organizer, lunch bag, storage bag for shirts and underwear, handbag, or even as a hanging organizer for the bathroom
• The pattern includes the Furoshiki bag in three different sizes

Typically Japanese: The Furoshiki bag not only looks wonderful, but it also fits a whole lot inside!

This bag makes every sewing fan's heart beat faster! Not only is it huge fun to sew, but it is also super practical for daily use.

Through the mix of colors and materials, the Furoshiki bag becomes a real eye-catcher.

What is special about sewing a Furoshiki bag?

Traditionally, a Furoshiki is an artfully folded cloth used in Japan to transport just about anything, from groceries and books to textiles.

This method of packing has also found many fans here. Furoshiki cloths can be used very nicely to wrap gifts in a sustainable way. This way, you have reusable, washable wrapping paper that gets more beautiful with each use.

The Furoshiki bag follows this tradition. It is very easy to sew and incredibly aesthetic in its pure beauty.

Use it as a bento bag for your lunch, as a storage bag for shirts and underwear, or as an organizer for the bathroom. Of course, you can also simply use it as a handbag. And that looks really cool!

I ordered most of the fabrics in the pictures at the Idee Kreativmarkt^*; in particular, this dreamlike fabric with koi carp^* goes fantastically well with a simple pink solid-colored cotton^*.

I have a soft spot for the dark blue fabric in sashiko look that I used to sew the small bag at the top. The rich navy blue is somewhat irregular and reminiscent of old indigo dyes. A dream. Since I unfortunately could no longer find this fabric, I found a beautiful alternative: a fabric with a graphic pattern in dark blue^*. I think it’s just as beautiful!

What is included in the eBook?

The eBook contains a detailed, illustrated sewing tutorial.

In addition, the pattern for the Furoshiki bag in 3 sizes is included for printing at home.

Photo: The beautiful solid-colored cotton fabrics^* go perfectly with exciting prints^*. This way, the Furoshiki bag can be varied again and again.

By the way, I was totally amazed at how well the Idee fabrics^* are to work with. I have rarely worked with more beautiful and higher-quality fabrics. I will certainly be shopping for more fabrics there soon!

Sew a Furoshiki bag

I've really developed a passion for Japanese bags. Whether it's lotus pouches, Oshin pouches, origami market bags, or rice bags: I love them all!

Why? Because the shape is always nice and simple and leaves plenty of room for beautiful materials. And: The bags can be combined with any style.

But the coolest thing is that while every bag has its own twist, it is also very easy to sew, even for beginners. This ensures great results with zero sewing frustration.

So it's actually completely logical that I can get enthusiastic about Japanese-style bags, right? :)

Which fabrics can you use to sew the Furoshiki bag?

All non-stretchy fabrics are suitable, such as:

• Cotton woven fabric^* (e.g., chambray fabrics^* or Kokka fabrics^*)
• Linen fabrics^*
• Canvas^*
• Decorative fabrics^*

If you love Kokka fabrics like I do, I highly recommend taking a look at Etsy^*. There is a huge selection of the most delicious and rare Japanese fabrics there!

If you have never sewn with Kokka fabrics before: Try it out! They are incredibly easy to work with and look super good, especially for Japanese-style patterns. :)

Which fabrics are my Furoshiki bags sewn from?

This time I chose the beautiful solid and printed cottons from Idee^*. Ever since I was in the store in Lübeck the other day, I've been totally infected by these colors and combination possibilities.

And yes, I admit it, I have a soft spot for the Japanese theme. And for delicate colors. Especially gray-mint in combination with mustard yellow has the potential to make me go really weak. :)

What else do you need to sew the Furoshiki bag?

The usual basic accessories like

• Marking pen^* or chalk pencil
• Sewing thread^* (for topstitching, feel free to use a contrasting color!)
• Rotary cutter^*
• Fabric scissors^*
• Patchwork ruler^*
• Sewing machine
• Pins^*

How much fabric do I need for which size?

Furoshiki Bag 1
40 x 50 cm cotton fabric for outer
40 x 50 cm cotton fabric for lining
40 x 50 cm Vlieseline H640
2 x 100 x 30 cm cotton fabric for handles

Furoshiki Bag 2
40 x 60 cm cotton fabric for outer
40 x 60 cm cotton fabric for lining
40 x 60 cm Vlieseline H640
2 x 130 x 25 cm cotton fabric for handles

Furoshiki Bag 3
70 x 90 cm cotton fabric for outer
70 x 90 cm cotton fabric for lining
70 x 90 cm Vlieseline H640
70 x 90 cm Vlieseline H250
2 x 160 x 30 cm cotton fabric for handles

How large is the finished Furoshiki bag?

The bag has the following finished dimensions
Furoshiki 1: 12 x 12 x 24 cm
Furoshiki 2: 18 x 18 x 35 cm
Furoshiki 3: 21 x 21 x 43 cm

Can beginners also sew the Furoshiki bag?

Beginners can also sew this Japanese bag very easily. The illustrated tutorial is deliberately designed so that even less experienced sewing fans can cope with it without problems.

The tutorial contains many intermediate steps showing "This is what it should look like now". I also explain why steps are necessary and what they do.

In this way, you learn something for the next tutorial you tackle. :)

Doesn't get better than that, right? ;)

Happy simple sewing,

your Sabine

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