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Sewing a bag organizer: step-by-step instructions

07.05.2017 by Sabine Schmidt

Taschen Organizer nähen: Schritt-für-Schritt Anleitung

Sew a bag organizer with a simple photo tutorial: "Milly" requires no pattern at all. Just follow my tutorial below.

The most important things at a glance

  • In this bag organizer you can store all your little things that otherwise fly around in your handbag – so nothing will ever get lost in the depths of your handbag again
  • Milly is very versatile and you can customize it completely
  • The bag organizer is a great gift for dear friends and family
  • Even beginners can sew this beautiful bag in no time
  • You do not need a pattern for this sewing tutorial

I combined my bag organizer Milly with a sturdy anthracite-grey bag fabric with bright prints by Tula Pink* - and I am thrilled. Because the rather neutral grey really makes the cotton prints shine!

I sewed the bag organizer as a birthday gift for my dear friend Moni. About Moni you should know: She is a mother of three children, very successful professionally, always has a lot to do - and needs everything at hand: phone, lip balm, tissues, mascara, and hand cream.

What could be more fitting than sewing her the cute bag organizer Milly?

With it, Moni can now easily transfer everything important from her work bag to her shoulder bag - and back again! :)

Maybe you have already discovered my Molly cosmetic bag - it is also sewn from one piece. And because it is so much fun, here is a beginner-friendly sewing tutorial for the bag organizer Milly!

For the bag organizer you need the following materials:

For the base:

For the outside:

  • 19 x 25 cm bag fabric* for the front (I think the sturdy bag fabrics from Swafing* are especially beautiful!)
  • 28 x 25 cm bag fabric* for the back

For the outer pocket:

For the lining:

  • approx. 60 x 25 cm cotton fabric* (depending on the width of the seam allowance you use and the width of the zipper)

For the closure:

  • 25 cm zipper*
  • 2 pieces of the outer fabric measuring 5 x 3 cm each as zipper facing (depending on the width of your zipper)

You also need:

Extra tip:

Instead of a printed fabric, you can also print your own for the outer pocket! Homemade freezer paper is perfect for this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the sewing tutorial for the bag organizer Milly suitable for beginners?

Yes, absolutely! The tutorial comes with many pictures and I will guide you step by step from start to finish.

Do I need a pattern to sew the bag organizer?

No, you do not need a pattern to sew Milly. In this post you will find a detailed list of the different fabric cutouts that are needed.

Are there any other sewing tutorials for bag organizers at SewSimple?

Of course! There is the Versailles bag organizer, the Taco bag, the Alsterprinzessin and plenty of other little bags that are wonderful as bag organizers.

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.

Step-by-step instructions

Sew the Milly bag organiser

Milly doesn't need a pattern — you work with rectangular pieces. The bag consists of a base, an outer pocket with straight-stitched compartments, front and back, a zipper and boxed corners in the base.

  1. Step

    Quilt the bag bottom

    Secure the fabric for the bag bottom on the cotton wadding and quilt both together as you like with a longer straight stitch.

    You don't need a special quilting foot for this — your sewing machine can handle these two layers in normal mode.

    Quilt the bag bottom
  2. Step

    Cut the bag bottom to size

    Trim the bag bottom to 10 x 25 cm. The bottom is now finished.

    Cut the bag bottom to size
  3. Step

    Prepare the outer pocket

    Iron the interfacing onto the cotton fabric and let the fabric cool briefly.

    Place both fabric pieces for the outer pocket right sides together and pin them. Close the upper long edge with a straight stitch.

    Prepare the outer pocket
  4. Step

    Topstitch the outer pocket

    Press the seam allowance open.

    Pin both fabric pieces wrong sides together.

    Topstitch the closed side about 4 mm from the edge with a longer straight stitch.

    Topstitch the outer pocket
  5. Step

    Sew the outer pocket onto the front

    Pin the outer pocket onto the 19 x 25 cm outer fabric piece. The upper edge of the outer pocket should be 5 cm from the long edge of the bag fabric.

    Stitch the outer pocket into individual compartments as you like. Backstitch well at the beginning and end of the seams.

    Pin the sides securely or baste them so that nothing shifts when you sew everything together.

    Sew the outer pocket onto the front
  6. Step

    Attach the bottom

    Place the bottom piece right sides together on the lower edge of the bag piece.

    Pin and sew together a presser foot's width from the edge.

    Then sew the fabric piece for the back onto the bag bottom as well — always sew the 25 cm edges, not the short ones.

    Tip: press the seam allowances of the bag bottom upwards towards the bag opening and topstitch them from the outside.

    Attach the bottom
  7. Step

    Cut the lining

    Use the finished bag piece as a pattern for the lining. Cut the lining to match.

    Cut the lining
  8. Step

    Add tabs to the zipper

    Add tabs to the zipper by first sewing the two prepared fabric pieces right sides together onto both ends, about 2.5 cm from the end.

    Note: after adding the tab to the first end, thread on the zipper pull (if using a continuous zipper).

    Fold the tab over and stitch it down once more from the top.

    Add tabs to the zipper
  9. Step

    Shorten the zipper teeth

    Trim the zipper teeth back to the seam. This prevents a bulge at this spot later.

    Shorten the zipper teeth
  10. Step

    Sew the zipper to the outer piece

    Place the upper edge of the bag piece right sides together on the zipper, pin and sew on with a straight stitch (ideally with a zipper foot).

    Tip: when you reach the zipper pull, leave the needle in the fabric, lift the presser foot, turn the fabric slightly and slide the zipper pull to the other side. Then you can carry on sewing.

    Sew the zipper to the outer piece
  11. Step

    Sew the lining to the zipper

    Place the lining with its right side on the wrong side of the zipper and pin in place (Wonder Tape works really well here).

    Turn the bag piece and sew the lining in place along the seam you have just sewn.

    Fold the unsewn zipper edge upwards and sew on the second side in the same way.

    Sew the lining to the zipper
  12. Step

    Close the side seams

    Open the zipper so that you can easily turn the bag later.

    Close the side seams. In the lining, leave a turning gap of approx. 8 cm open.

    Close the side seams
  13. Step

    Sew the boxed corners

    Trim the seam allowances at the corners a little (this helps the corner open up better) and fold the corners open so that the seam lies in the middle.

    Measure 5 cm from the corner and mark with a disappearing marker. Sew across the corner. Repeat this for the remaining 3 corners.

    Sew the boxed corners
  14. Step

    Turn and close the turning gap

    Trim the seam allowances a little and turn the bag right side out through the turning gap.

    Shape the corners neatly and close the turning gap with a straight stitch.

    Turn and close the turning gap
  15. Step

    Topstitch the top edge of the bag

    Topstitch the top edge of the bag with a straight stitch (or a decorative stitch) so that the fabric cannot get caught in the zipper later.

    Start and finish the seam approx. 4 cm away from the side seam. Done!

    Topstitch the top edge of the bag

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.